The Physician-Only
Salary Platform.
See what physicians actually earn — physician-only data, not diluted by NP, PA, or CRNA salaries.
16,418 registered community members
Help Fellow Physicians — Share Your Salary
4,291 approved physician salary reports shared. Your anonymous data helps colleagues negotiate better and make informed career decisions.
WHY IT MATTERS
Why Physician-Only Data Matters
When NP, PA, and CRNA salaries are mixed with physician data, your benchmarks get pulled down. We keep the signal clean.
| Feature | salaryDr(Physician-Only) | Multi-Clinician Salary Sites | Legacy Industry Reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Audience | MD / DO Only | Mixed (MDs, NPs, PAs, RNs) | Hospital administrators |
| Data Source | Self-reported by physicians, moderated before publication | Open self-reporting | Employer-reported |
| Specialty Detail | Physician-specific specialties | Blended specialty labels | Broad averages |
| wRVU & Productivity | Specialty-specific physician tiers | Standardized estimates | Aggregated benchmarks |
| Physician-Only Metrics | Medical director pay, protected time, partnerships | Not supported | Inconsistently reported |
| Cost to Physicians | $0 (Free) | Free | $5,000+ per report |
"Mixing MD salaries with APP data doesn't just add noise—it systematically understates what physicians are worth."
Lifestyle Insights
Real Physician Lifestyle Insights
Go beyond salary data. Discover what it's really like to practice in different medical specialties with authentic insights from real physicians about work-life balance, career satisfaction, and daily life.
Internal Medicine
“I do 15 ten hour shifts per month. Can work more if wanted. Amazing work life balance. ”
330 physician insightsFamily Medicine
“Bankers hours, but to achieve higher income need to move to concierge direct primary care and be available/responsive af...”
125 physician insightsAnesthesiology
“With the 12 weeks of vacation, the work-life balance is very strong. During the work days, while 10-hour days, they are ...”
109 physician insightsGeneral Surgery
105 physician insights
Cardiology
88 physician insights
Emergency Medicine
80 physician insights
Common Career Questions We Answer
What's the work-life balance like in Emergency Medicine?
Real insights from EM physicians about shift work, burnout, and family time.
Should I choose Dermatology over Internal Medicine?
Side-by-side comparisons of lifestyle, satisfaction, and career prospects.
What do Orthopedic Surgery residents wish they knew?
Honest advice from practicing surgeons about training and career reality.
Which specialties have the happiest doctors?
Data-driven rankings based on satisfaction surveys from real physicians.
What's daily life like as a Radiologist?
Day-in-the-life descriptions from practicing radiologists across different settings.
How do you maintain work-life balance in surgery?
Practical tips and honest insights from surgical specialists.
Salary Data
2026 Physician Salary Guide by Medical Specialty
Comprehensive doctor salary data from real physicians across the United States. Compare physician compensation, medical doctor pay scales, and healthcare salaries by specialty.
Compare Medical Specialties
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Anesthesiology
- Emergency Medicine
Doctor Salary by Experience
Compare resident, fellow, and attending reports. Filter by years of experience, specialty, and practice type to find a relevant peer group.
Physician Salary BenchmarksCompare Your Offer
- Benchmarks from physician salary reports
- Know what hospitals are paying
- Compare base pay and total compensation
- Free offer analysis
- Explore comparable salary reports
By Location
Physician Salaries by State and City in 2026
Discover regional variations in doctor compensation across the United States. Compare physician salaries by state, metropolitan area, and cost of living adjustments.
By Practice Setting
Lifestyle Metrics
Geographic Salary Analysis: Cost of Living vs. Physician Compensation
Understanding physician salary variations by geographic location is crucial for career planning. Our data shows significant regional differences in doctor compensation, often reflecting local healthcare demand, cost of living, and competitive market dynamics.
High-Paying Regions
- West Coast: Premium salaries in California, Washington, and Oregon due to high demand and cost of living
- Northeast Corridor: Competitive compensation in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey
- Texas Metro Areas: Strong physician salaries with favorable tax structures
Emerging Markets
- Southeastern Growth: Rising physician demand in Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia
- Rocky Mountain Region: Lifestyle-focused positions with competitive packages
- Midwest Opportunities: Excellent value proposition with lower cost of living
Pro Tip: When evaluating physician job opportunities, consider both gross salary and cost-adjusted compensation. A $350K salary in Austin, TX might provide better purchasing power than a $450K salary in San Francisco, CA. Compare your offer with salary data →
Career Planning
Medical Career Planning: From Medical School to Attending Physician
Make informed decisions about your medical career path using real salary data. From specialty selection to residency matching and beyond.
Physician Career Salary Timeline
Medical School (4 years)
Average debt: $250,000 - $350,000
Focus on USMLE scores, research, and specialty exploration
Residency Training (3-7 years)
Salary: $55,000 - $65,000 annually
80+ hours/week, intensive clinical training
Full residency salary breakdownFellowship (Optional, 1-3 years)
Salary: $65,000 - $75,000 annually
Subspecialty training, research opportunities
Attending Physician (Career)
Salary: $250,000 - $800,000+ annually
Varies significantly by specialty, location, and practice setting
Compare your first attending offerROI Calculation
Despite 7-11 years of training at below-market wages, physician careers typically achieve positive ROI within 5-10 years post-graduation, with lifetime earnings significantly exceeding most other professions.
Specialty Selection Factors
Financial Considerations
- Average starting salary and earning potential
- Practice overhead and malpractice insurance costs
- Length of training and opportunity cost
- Geographic salary variations
- Employment vs. private practice income
Lifestyle Factors
- Work-life balance and call schedule
- Average hours per week
- Vacation time and flexibility
- Burnout rates by specialty
- Job satisfaction scores
Competitiveness & Match Rates
- USMLE Step scores by specialty
- Research requirements and publications
- Match rates for US MD vs DO vs IMG
- Geographic preferences and flexibility
- Backup specialty considerations
Your Next Move
Physician Jobs With Transparent Salaries
Stop guessing what a job pays. SalaryDr Jobs puts real compensation data on physician job listings — and residents and fellows can plan their first attending job before they sign.
SalaryDr Jobs
The physician-only job board where pay transparency is the default. See salary data on listings, how offers compare to market, and employer transparency grades — before you apply.
- Real salary data on listings — no “competitive pay” mystery
- Every job benchmarked against physician-reported market data
- Built for attendings, fellows, and graduating residents
SalaryDr Launch
Finishing training? Build a first attending job plan around real market data for your specialty — open roles, pay ranges, and negotiation benchmarks in one place.
- Live market pulse for your specialty
- A personalized first-job plan you can save and revise
- Know what to ask for before you sign