Medical Doctor Salary in the US in 2026: Average Annual Pay by Specialty & Role
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Medical doctor salary in the US in 2026 ranges between USD 270,000 and USD 420,000 per year, with higher pay for specialists like cardiologists and surgeons and lower averages for general physicians.
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Table of Contents
- Average Medical Doctor Salary in the US
- Benefits and Incentives for US Doctors
- Average Doctor Salary in the US Based on Specialty
- Average Surgeon Salary in the USA
- MD Doctor Salary in the USA by Specialization
- Medical Doctor Salary by Experience in USA
- Average Doctor Salary by State in US
- City-Wise Salary of MBBS Doctor in the USA
- Self-Employed vs Full-time Medical Doctor Income in the USA
- Licensing Steps to Become a Doctor in the US
- Explore Your Prospects of Working as a Doctor in the US
Medical Doctor Salary in the US in 2026 is quite high compared to many countries, but it also depends a lot on your specialty, experience, and where you work. Some doctors earn very comfortably, while others take a few years to reach top income levels.
In 2026, doctor salaries in the US are still expected to stay strong because healthcare demand keeps growing. Interestingly, doctors employed in the public sector tend to earn 15.65% higher than doctors in the private sector in the US. Specializations like surgery and cardiology usually earn more. In this blog, we’ll break down how much doctors earn in the US in 2026 and what affects their salaries.
Average Medical Doctor Salary in the US
The average salary of a medical doctor in the USA ranges between USD 270,000 and USD 420,000 per year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that out of the 20 top highest paying occupations, 19 belonged to the healthcare department. This reflects that in the U.S., the doctor’s profession has great potential for earning.
|
Particular |
Details |
|
Annual Median Pay |
USD 239,200 |
|
Annual Hourly Median Pay |
USD 115 |
|
Average Annual Pay |
USD 270,000 - USD 429,000 |
|
Highest Paid Physicians by Metro Region |
West North Central Region, with an average salary of USD 404,000 |
|
Total Medical Job Vacancies |
Projected at 1.1 million total healthcare vacancies with about 23,600 physician roles annually (2023 - 2033) |
|
Growth in Doctors’ Salary |
Overall: +3.6% |
|
Job Growth for Doctors (2023-2033) |
A growth rate of +4% and an annual new job opening of about 23,600 |
Explore: US Healthcare System
Benefits and Incentives for US Doctors
According to the latest reports, about 57% - 60% were eligible for incentive bonuses, and the average incentive bonus among the eligible physicians was approximately USD 48,000 in 2024 (the reports state).
Recognizing their invaluable efforts, employers extend various benefits and bonuses as tokens of appreciation, such as:
- Health Insurance
- Retirement plans
- Sign-on bonuses
- Performance-based rewards
- Malpractice Insurance
- Opportunities for continuing education,
- Support for relocation
Average Doctor Salary in the US Based on Specialty
Doctor salaries in the US change a lot depending on the specialty you choose. Some doctors earn extremely high incomes in surgical and specialised fields, while general doctors earn less but still live very comfortably. In most cases, the more complex and high-risk the specialty is, the higher the pay. Experience, location, and type of workplace also make a big difference in what doctors take home each year.
|
Specialty |
Average Annual Salary (USD) |
|
Family Medicine |
231,000 |
|
Internal Medicine |
234,000 |
|
Pediatrics |
225,000 |
|
Public Health and Preventive Medicine |
209,000 |
|
Counselling Psychology |
224,000 |
|
Infectious Diseases |
239,000 |
|
Diabetes and Endocrinology |
236,000 |
|
Oncology |
366,000 |
|
Otolaryngology (ENT) |
469,000 |
|
Dermatology |
419,000 |
|
Cardiology |
430,000 |
|
Orthopedics |
482,000 |
|
Ophthalmology |
482,000 |
|
Plastic Surgery |
471,000 |
|
Neurosurgery |
616,000 |
|
Pediatric Infectology |
185,000 |
Also Read: 13 Best Countries for Indian Doctors to Migrate in 2026
Average Surgeon Salary in the USA
In the United States, surgeons are esteemed professionals who receive substantial compensation, based on their level of work experience. Upon completing a master's in surgery in the USA, individuals can pursue various specializations, each offering distinct salary ranges based on the specific area of expertise.
The data reflecting these specialized salary variations is outlined below in the table
|
Surgeon Occupation |
Average Annual Salary (in USD) |
|
Neurosurgeon |
789,000 |
|
Thoracic Surgeon |
707,000 |
|
Orthopedic Surgeon |
625,000 |
|
Plastic Surgeon |
572,00 |
|
Vascular Surgeon |
558,000 |
|
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon |
557,000 |
|
General Surgeon |
452,000 |
|
Pediatric Surgeon |
450,000 |
|
Colon and Rectal Surgeon |
446,000 |
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MD Doctor Salary in the USA by Specialization
MD doctors in the US earn very different salaries depending on their specialization. Some fields pay extremely high, while others are more moderate but still very comfortable compared to global standards.
|
MD Specialization |
Average Annual Salary (USD) |
|
Cardiology |
490,000 |
|
Ophthalmology |
417,000 |
|
Urology |
461,000 |
|
Dermatology |
438,000 |
|
Radiation Oncology |
548,625 |
|
Paediatrics |
265,000 |
|
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) |
320,000 |
Medical Doctor Salary by Experience in USA
Extensive professional experience holds great significance, signaling to employers your commitment and extensive knowledge. Physicians with a greater number of years in the field are deemed more dependable. The overview of how the salaries of U.S. doctors fluctuate based on their years of experience.
|
Experience Level |
Average Annual Salary (in USD ) |
|
0-1 years |
120,000 |
|
1-3 years |
150,000 |
|
4-6 years |
190,000 |
|
7-9 years |
220,000 |
|
10-14 years |
300,000 |
|
15-19 years |
409,000 |
Read Next: MBBS in USA
Average Doctor Salary by State in US
In addition to specialization, the geographical location of a doctor's practice significantly influences their income. Urban areas, particularly in states like California and New York, generally offer more substantial compensation compared to rural communities.
Provided below is the average salary in the USA for doctors across different states in the United States.
|
State |
Average Salary (USD) |
State |
Average Salary (USD) |
|
Alabama |
311,920 |
Montana |
232,567 |
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Alaska |
236,821 |
Nebraska |
160,965 |
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Arizona |
256,512 |
Nevada |
232,320 |
|
Arkansas |
214,697 |
New Hampshire |
242,351 |
|
California |
217,270 |
New Jersey |
296,682 |
|
Colorado |
270,074 |
New Mexico |
225,347 |
|
Connecticut |
201,217 |
New York |
234,345 |
|
Delaware |
160,707 |
North Carolina |
241,112 |
|
Florida |
185,402 |
North Dakota |
286,992 |
|
Georgia |
235,365 |
Ohio |
251,548 |
|
Hawaii |
190,366 |
Oklahoma |
228,219 |
|
Idaho |
233,526 |
Oregon |
267,825 |
|
Illinois |
262,914 |
Pennsylvania |
257,075 |
|
Indiana |
267,187 |
Rhode Island |
261,009 |
|
Iowa |
318,598 |
South Carolina |
248,954 |
|
Kansas |
289,522 |
South Dakota |
266,217 |
|
Kentucky |
262,048 |
Tennessee |
250,000 |
|
Louisiana |
268,768 |
Texas |
290,494 |
|
Maine |
193,508 |
Utah |
137,745 |
|
Maryland |
217,366 |
Vermont |
304,794 |
|
Massachusetts |
261,922 |
Virginia |
263,861 |
|
Michigan |
257,513 |
Washington |
258,575 |
|
Minnesota |
279,709 |
West Virginia |
281,613 |
|
Mississippi |
193,660 |
Wisconsin |
280,032 |
|
Missouri |
243,068 |
Wyoming |
266,267 |
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City-Wise Salary of MBBS Doctor in the USA
MBBS doctors in the US earn different salaries depending on the city, cost of living, and local demand for healthcare professionals. Big cities often pay high, but some mid-sized cities also offer very strong salaries with lower living costs. Here is a city-wise breakdown of the average annual salary of MBBS doctors in the USA.
|
City / Metro Area |
Average Annual Salary (USD) |
|
New York City |
333,604 |
|
Los Angeles |
356,390 |
|
Dallas |
362,472 |
|
Atlanta |
362,267 |
|
Miami |
336,336 |
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San Francisco |
338,407 |
|
Seattle |
346,721 |
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Phoenix |
347,065 |
|
San Diego |
347,154 |
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Orlando |
347,711 |
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Minneapolis |
369,889 |
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Milwaukee |
395,363 |
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New Orleans |
384,651 |
|
Riverside, California |
371,296 |
|
Charlotte, North Carolina |
368,205 |
|
Cincinnati |
354,129 |
|
Hartford, Connecticut |
352,129 |
|
Salt Lake City |
351,300 |
|
Bridgeport, Connecticut |
348,089 |
|
Louisville, Kentucky |
346,206 |
|
Sacramento, California |
345,168 |
|
Indianapolis |
339,411 |
|
Jacksonville, Florida |
338,790 |
|
Nashville, Tennessee |
337,914 |
|
Kansas City, Missouri |
336,568 |
Self-Employed vs Full-time Medical Doctor Income in the USA
According to Medscape Physician Compensation Report, the distribution of doctors in the United States reveals that the income of self-employed doctors in the USA is less than that of a full-time doctor in the USA. Let's take a look at the table based on the findings in the report.
|
Aspect |
Self-Employed Physicians |
Full-Time Physicians |
|
Full-Time Physicians |
Approximately 47% |
Approximately 53% |
|
Specialty Variations |
Varies by specialty |
Dermatology: 70%, Emergency Medicine: 18% |
|
Average Salary (USD) |
USD 352,000 |
USD 281,000 |
|
Income Difference |
Approximately 25% higher |
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|
Considerations |
Additional expenses, such as rent, equipment, and staff salaries, impact net income |
Full-time employees enjoy benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off |
Licensing Steps to Become a Doctor in the US
To work as a doctor in the US, you must complete a clear licensing pathway. Below is a breakdown of the steps.
|
Step |
Details |
|
Complete Medical Degree |
Finish an MBBS or MD degree from a recognised medical school. |
|
Pass USMLE Step 1 |
Clear the first licensing exam that tests basic medical science knowledge. |
|
Pass USMLE Step 2 CK |
Pass the clinical knowledge exam that checks diagnosis and treatment skills. |
|
Apply for Residency |
Match into a US residency program through NRMP (Match system). |
|
Complete Residency Training |
Finish 3-7 years of residency depending on your specialty. |
|
Pass USMLE Step 3 |
Clear the final USMLE exam to get full medical licensure. |
|
Get State Medical License |
Apply for a medical license in the state where you want to practice. |
Explore Your Prospects of Working as a Doctor in the US
The medical doctor salary in the US remains among the highest among all professions and varies based on factors such as experience, location, specialization, etc. Despite the modest growth in recent years, doctors continue to benefit from strong demand, attractive packages & benefits and strong career prospects throughout the country.
If you are also looking to start your career as a doctor in the US, you can achieve it with the professional guidance from GetGIS immigration experts. Our team effectively navigates you through the visa process, university selection, and much more needed for your smooth transition.
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