How much does a physician make?
The median physician in the United States earns $239,200+ per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all physicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 29-1222.
Physician salary range
Pay for physicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $83,930 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $239,200+. The average (mean) wage of $266,020 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $83,930 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $165,940 | |
| Median (50th) | $239,200+ | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $239,200+ | |
| 90th percentile | $239,200+ | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for physicians, pathologists (SOC 29-1222), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Physician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Physicians earn the most in Arizona at $239,200+ a year, and the least in California at $165,940. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $239,200+ | 440 |
| Arkansas | $239,200+ | 90 |
| Colorado | $239,200+ | 50 |
| Connecticut | $239,200+ | 60 |
| Delaware | $239,200+ | 40 |
| Florida | $239,200+ | 450 |
| Illinois | $239,200+ | 400 |
| Indiana | $239,200+ | 380 |
| Kentucky | $239,200+ | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $239,200+ | 270 |
| Michigan | $239,200+ | 230 |
| Nebraska | $239,200+ | 120 |
| New Hampshire | $239,200+ | N/A |
| New Jersey | $239,200+ | 180 |
| North Carolina | $239,200+ | N/A |
| North Dakota | $239,200+ | 40 |
| Ohio | $239,200+ | 660 |
| Oklahoma | $239,200+ | 70 |
| Oregon | $239,200+ | 230 |
| Pennsylvania | $239,200+ | 300 |
| Rhode Island | $239,200+ | N/A |
| Texas | $239,200+ | 1,100 |
| Virginia | $239,200+ | 90 |
| Washington | $239,200+ | 280 |
| Wisconsin | $239,200+ | 200 |
| Wyoming | $239,200+ | 50 |
| Alabama | $238,020 | 60 |
| South Carolina | $228,850 | 150 |
| District of Columbia | $228,300 | 70 |
| New York | $215,740 | 940 |
| Missouri | $213,430 | 660 |
| Maryland | $190,370 | 70 |
| California | $165,940 | 2,180 |
State median wages for physicians, pathologists (SOC 29-1222), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for physicians
The BLS projects employment of physicians to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 11,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 12,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 300 openings a year for physicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a physician
The typical entry-level education for physicians is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a physician earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Arizona, $239,200+) and the lowest (California, $165,940) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 11,800 people work as physicians in the United States. At $239,200+ a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Physician salary FAQ
How much does a physician make an hour?
Physicians are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $239,200+.
What is the highest physician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of physicians earn more than $239,200+ per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a physician make a year?
The median annual salary for a physician is $239,200+. The average (mean) wage of $266,020 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a physician a well paid job?
At $239,200+ a year, a physician earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 11,800 people work as physicians in the United States.
Which state pays physicians the most?
Arizona has the highest median salary for physicians at $239,200+ a year. Arkansas ($239,200+) and Colorado ($239,200+) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a physician a good career?
Employment of physicians is projected to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a physician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for physicians as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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