2025–2026 Physician Salary Report: What Doctors Really Earn by Specialty & State
Exclusive Data-Driven Guide from Medcruit.net
Updated: November 18, 2025 – The Medcruit.net Team
Physicians continue to face modest salary growth amid rising workloads, reimbursement pressures, and burnout. At Medcruit.net, we partner with thousands of doctors and healthcare employers annually, giving us unique insight into real-world compensation trends.
This comprehensive 2025–2026 report aggregates the latest verified data from:
- Medscape 2025 Physician Compensation Report (7,300+ physicians surveyed)
- Doximity 2025 Physician Compensation Report (37,000+ verified responses)
- AMGA 2025 Medical Group Compensation Survey
- MGMA insights and BLS regional data
Key National Highlights for 2025–2026
- Average physician compensation: $374,000 (Medscape) to $380,000+ (Doximity trends)
- Year-over-year increase: +2.9% to +3.7% overall (AMGA reports up to +4.9% in some groups)
- Specialists average $404,000+ vs. primary care $281,000–$318,000
- Gender pay gap persists at ~26% ($121,000+ difference on average)
- 77% of physicians would accept lower pay for better autonomy or work-life balance (Doximity poll)
- Ongoing Medicare cuts (another 2.8% in 2025) continue eroding real earnings
Average Physician Salary by Specialty (2025 Data)
Blended from Medscape, Doximity, and AMGA reports (total compensation including bonuses/incentives):
| Rank | Specialty | Average Compensation | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neurosurgery | $750,000+ | +3–5% |
| 2 | Thoracic/Cardiovascular Surgery | $720,000–$750,000 | +4% |
| 3 | Orthopedic Surgery | $650,000–$700,000 | +2–4% |
| 4 | Plastic Surgery | $619,000–$650,000 | –1% |
| 5 | Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery | $580,000–$620,000 | +5% |
| 6 | Radiation Oncology | $570,000–$610,000 | +3% |
| 7 | Cardiology | $565,000–$600,000 | +4% |
| 8 | Vascular Surgery | $560,000–$590,000 | +6% |
| 9 | Radiology | $550,000–$580,000 | +7% (rebound) |
| 10 | Anesthesiology | $540,000–$575,000 | +5% |
| Gastroenterology | $525,000–$560,000 | +4% | |
| Urology | $515,000–$550,000 | –2% | |
| Dermatology | $500,000–$540,000 | –5% | |
| General Surgery | $480,000–$520,000 | +3% | |
| Emergency Medicine | $430,000–$470,000 | +4% | |
| Oncology/Hematology | $450,000–$490,000 | +6% | |
| Primary Care (Family/Internal Med) | $281,000–$318,000 | +1–2% | |
| Pediatrics | $230,000–$260,000 | Flat | |
| Public Health/Preventive Medicine | $230,000–$250,000 | –1% |
Surgical and procedural specialties dominate due to high RVU rates and private practice opportunities.
Physician Salary by Region (Raw Dollars)
Midwest and South continue leading raw compensation:
| Region | Average Compensation |
|---|---|
| Midwest | $385,000+ |
| South Central | $380,000+ |
| Southeast | $375,000 |
| West North Central | $370,000+ |
| Northeast | $360,000 |
| West | $365,000 |
Best States for Physicians: Cost-of-Living Adjusted (Where Your Money Goes Furthest)
A $600k salary in California often feels like $400k in the Midwest. Top states based on BLS, Doximity, and COL indexes:
| Rank | State | Real Purchasing Power Advantage | Standout Factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi | Highest overall real earnings | Low COL, high demand, big signing bonuses |
| 2 | Wisconsin | +18–22% vs national average | Strong hospitals, low malpractice |
| 3 | Georgia | Excellent balance | Atlanta growth, family-friendly |
| 4 | Wyoming | Top hourly wage post-COL | Massive rural incentives |
| 5 | Indiana | Very competitive | High starting offers, quality of life |
| 6 | Alabama | Strong value | Growing systems, low taxes |
| 7 | Missouri | Underrated gem | St. Louis market, low living costs |
| 8 | Kentucky | Rising fast | Louisville expansion |
| 9 | Ohio | Solid Midwest performer | Cleveland/Cincinnati opportunities |
| 10 | Iowa | Great work-life + pay | Academic/rural mix |
(Worst after COL adjustment: DC, Massachusetts, Hawaii, coastal California, NYC.)
Emerging Trends Physicians Can’t Ignore in 2025–2026
- Private practice/single-specialty groups pay 10–20% more than large health systems
- Pediatric reimbursement crisis deepens — many subspecialists facing financial strain
- 52% of physicians dissatisfied with compensation (lowest in a decade – Medscape)
- Locums & side gigs surging as burnout hits record levels
- Gender gap widened slightly in surgical fields
What Really Drives Your Take-Home Pay?
- Specialty & subspecialty
- Experience level (10+ years adds 30–50%)
- Practice type (private > employed)
- Location & cost-of-living
- Productivity bonuses (RVUs)
- Signing/relocation packages ($30k–$50k common in high-demand areas)
Ready to Negotiate or Relocate with Confidence?
Medcruit.net helps physicians land roles that match both lifestyle and earning goals — permanent, locum tenens, or non-clinical.
Have questions about your specialty, a specific state, or contract review? Comment below or email info@medcruit.net — our recruiters respond within hours.
— The Medcruit.net Team
Connecting great physicians with great opportunities.
