Average Doctor Salary in US (2025): Specialties, States & Trends

The medical profession in the U.S. is both lucrative and in demand, with doctors earning between $1L-$2L on average, depending on specialization, experience, and location. With projected job growth of 3% between 2022 and 2032, an aging population requiring complex care continues to drive demand. 

Compared to other countries like Canada, UK and Germany , doctors in the U.S earn higher salaries due to a privatized insurance system, higher patient volumes, and strong demand for specialists. 

Unlike in universal healthcare systems, U.S. doctors negotiate fees, gain from insurance reimbursements, and perform elective procedures, earning 30-100% more than counterparts abroad.

Average Doctor Salary in the US: Overview and Key Statistics 

The average salary of doctors in the US is $1L - $2L per year, varying by specialization, experience, and location. High-paying specializations like orthopedic surgery and cardiology earn significantly more. 

Salaries also differ based on private practice vs. government jobs and are generally higher in wealthier states like New York compared to states like Nebraska.

Before diving into the average doctor salary in US, let’s first get an overview of the medical profession in the country.

Criteria	Details
Total Doctors in the US	1,109,460
Doctor-to-Patient Ratio	3.6
Education Duration	8+ years (4 years undergrad + 4 years medical school) + 3-7 years residency
Popular Specialization	Internal Medicine Family Medicine Surgery Anesthesiology Cardiology Psychiatry Radiology Dermatology Orthopedics
Average Salary of Doctors	$1L - $2L (INR 86.9L - INR 1.7CR) per year
Entry Requirements	Bachelor's degree (pre-med), MCAT exam, strong GPA, clinical experience, research work.
Residency & Training Duration	3-7 years, depending on specialization
Licensing Requirements	USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3 + Residency Program Completion + State Medical Board Certification.

Also Read: Neurosurgeon Salary in USA

Now, let’s explore the average annual salary of a doctor in US based on their specialization.

Doctor salaries in US based on Specializations

High-demand specializations like oncology, anesthesiology, and pulmonology command salaries exceeding $300,000 due to their complexity, patient demand, and critical nature. 

Meanwhile, fields such as orthopedics and radiology, while still lucrative, often earn around $200,000, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Here’s a breakdown of doctor salaries based on specialization:

Specialization	Average Annual Salary
Neurologist	$278,535 (INR 2.4 CR)
Cardiologist	$289,920 (INR 2.5CR)
Oncologist	$352,992 (INR 3CR+)
Radiologist	$128,732 (INR 1.1 CR)
Anesthesiology	$360,416 (INR 3.1 CR)
Dermatologist	$279,150 (INR 2.4 CR)
Psychiatrist	$264,085 (INR 2.2 CR)
General Surgeon	$296,738 (INR 2.5 CR)
Gastroenterologist	$278,974 (INR 2.4 CR)
Orthopedist	$194,693 (INR 1.6 CR)
Pediatrician	$203,212 (INR 1.7 CR)
Ophthalmologist	$293,212 (INR 2.5 CR)
Dentist	$230,923 (INR 2 CR)
Endocrinologist	$283,423 (INR 2.4 CR)
Nephrologist	$245,062 (INR 2.1 CR)
Gynecologist	$266,606 (INR 2.3 CR)
Pulmonologist	$320,651 (INR 2.7 CR)

Source: Indeed

After examining salary variations by specialization, let’s explore how a doctor's workplace—whether in government hospitals or private practice—impacts their earning potential.

Salary Comparison Across Healthcare Settings

Doctors working in government hospitals typically earn below $200,000, reflecting stable but lower salaries compared to private practice. In private practice, earnings range from $200,000 to $350,000, depending on patient volume, specialization, and location. 

Those employed in hospitals see further variation—smaller hospital chains like Steward Healthcare offer salaries of around $101,082, while larger networks like HCA Healthcare provide higher pay, averaging $142,277.

Here’s how doctor salaries vary based on the workplace:

Healthcare Setting	Average Annual Salary
Government	$199,505 (INR 1.7 CR)
Private Practice	$203K - $343K (INR 1.7 CR - INR 2.9 CR)
Hospital-employed	$142,277 (INR 1.2 CR)

Source: Indeed, Glassdoor

Now, let’s examine the average doctor salary in the US based on the state they practice.

Average Doctor Salary in US: By States

Doctors in wealthier states like California and Texas often earn over $200,000 due to higher demand and cost of living. However, those in less affluent states like Hawaii and Maine typically earn below $200,000, highlighting regional salary disparities.

Here’s how doctor salaries vary across states:

State	Average Annual Salary
California	$245,110 (INR 2.1 CR)
Texas	$209,625 (INR 1.8 CR)
New York	$218,648 (INR 1.9 CR)
Florida	$185,393 (INR 1.6 CR)
Illinois	$197,221 (INR 1.7 CR)
Pennsylvania	$215,810 (INR 1.8 CR)
Ohio	$228,241 (INR 1.9 CR)
New Jersey	$198,194 (INR 1.7 CR)
Hawaii	$168,178 (INR 1.4 CR)
Maine	$101,573 (INR 88.3 L)
Wyoming	$137,335 (INR 1.1 CR)
Montana	$259,870 (INR 2.2 CR)
Alaska	$223,588 (INR 1.9 CR)
Vermont	$205,571 (INR 1.7 CR)
Delaware	$297,026 (INR 2.5 CR)
Rhode Island	$212,079 (INR 1.8 CR)

Source: Indeed

Now, let’s understand how the salary of doctors varies based on experience level.

Average Doctor Salary in US: By Experience Level

Entry-level doctors earn around $1L, while experienced professionals make approximately $2L due to specialization, expertise, and patient volume. 

The same trend applies to hospital-employed doctors, where salaries start at $231K and rise to $286K with experience. In private practice, entry-level doctors earn around $205K, while seasoned practitioners can make up to $263K.

Here’s how salary varies based on experience level:

Experience Level	Average Salary	Hospital Employed	Private Practice
Entry-level	$1L (INR 86.9L)	$231K (INR 2 CR)	$205K (INR 1.7 CR)
Mid-level	$1L (INR 86.9L)	$268K (INR 2.3 CR)	$226K (INR 1.9 CR)
Senior-level	$2L (INR 1.7 CR)	$286K (INR 2.4 CR)	$263K (INR 2.2 CR)

Source: Glassdoor

Explored doctor salaries in the US? Wondering how they compare in the UK? Check out the Doctor Salary in UK Per Month in 2025 guide for detailed insights!

Now that you have an overview of doctor salaries in the US, let’s see how they compare to those in Germany, Canada, and India.

US Doctor Salary vs Other Countries: A Global Pay Comparison

Doctor salaries vary based on factors like demand, healthcare funding, cost of living, and government regulations. In Canada, doctors earn around $220K, reflecting a strong public healthcare system and moderate demand. In Australia, salaries average $120K due to universal healthcare and lower overall medical costs.

The UK’s NHS follows a structured salary system, while in India, lower healthcare costs and high doctor availability contribute to reduced wages.

In contrast, US doctors often earn higher salaries, exceeding $200K, driven by privatized healthcare, high patient demand, and expensive medical education.

Here’s how salaries vary across countries:

Country	Average Annual Salary
United Kingdom	£70,924 (INR 79.8L)
Canada	$220,761 (INR 1.9 CR)
Germany	€68T (INR 64L)
Australia	$120K (INR 1 CR)
India	INR 6L

Source: Indeed, Glassdoor

With a global perspective on doctor salaries, let’s examine how specialization and advancements like AI impact earnings.

Average Doctor Salary in US: Trends and Future Projections

Future salary trends show rising demand for specializations like geriatric medicine, wage shifts due to more immigrant doctors, and growing performance-based pay.

Here’s an overview of salary trends for doctors in the U.S:

• Demand for Specialization

Specialized doctors continue to earn significantly more than general practitioners. As healthcare advances, demand for specializations like geriatric medicine (due to an aging population) and oncology (due to rising cancer cases) is expected to grow, further widening the salary gap.

• Impact of Technologies like AI

AI-driven tools may create competition, particularly in diagnostic fields like radiology and pathology. Physicians who integrate AI into their practice and upskill accordingly will likely see higher earning potential compared to those who resist technological adaptation.

For instance, AI-powered radiology tools like DeepMind’s imaging algorithms can analyze scans faster than human radiologists, potentially reducing their demand.

• Changes in Healthcare Policy

Government regulations, insurance reimbursements, and Medicare/Medicaid policies can influence physician salaries. Value-based care models—where doctors are paid based on patient outcomes rather than the number of procedures performed could impact earnings, particularly for specialists.

• Global Competition

The U.S. attracts thousands of internationally trained doctors each year. Of the 9.87 lakh doctors in the US, nearly 26.5% or 2.62 lakh are immigrants. As visa policies fluctuate, international recruitment could affect wages in certain specializations. 

• Performance-based compensation

Hospitals and private healthcare institutions are increasingly linking physician salaries to patient satisfaction. This shift could create income disparities—high-performing doctors in competitive hospitals may see salary boosts, while those in lower-demand areas could face stagnation.

• Rising Student debt

With medical school debt averaging $215900, new doctors face financial pressures that influence their career choices. High-paying specializations remain attractive, while primary care faces ongoing shortages due to lower salaries. 

• Globalization

The rise of medical tourism and cross-border telemedicine can exert pressure on salaries, especially for general practitioners. As patients access more affordable consultations from doctors in lower-cost countries, demand for local practitioners in high-income nations may decline.

For instance, the cost of medical consultations in countries like India or the Philippines is often 40-80% lower than in the U.S. or the UK.

Now, let’s explore the factors that affect the average doctor salary in US.

Average Doctor Salary in US: Factors Influencing Salary

Doctor salaries in the U.S. vary based on specialization, location, and employment type. Specialties like cardiology earn higher pay, while salaries differ by state, with California and Florida offering different compensation levels. Additionally, private practitioners often earn more than government-employed doctors.

Here are the key factors influencing the average doctor salary in the U.S:

• Specialization & Demand

Anesthesiologists ($360,416) and pulmonologists ($320,651) can earn higher, while orthopedics ($194,693) earn less. Specialties in high demand, such as oncology ($352,992), are seeing rising salaries.

For instance, cardiologists often work more than 60 hours per week, including odd hours and emergency calls. In contrast, dentists typically have more flexible schedules, allowing them to set their own working hours.

• Geographic Location

States like California ($245,110) and New York ($218,648) offer higher salaries due to demand and cost of living, whereas states like Maine ($101,573) offer lower pay but may include financial incentives like loan forgiveness.

For instance, earning $400K in San Francisco may not be enough due to the high cost of living. Whereas $250K in a low-cost state like Texas will be enough.

• Experience & Career Stage

Entry-level doctors (0-5 years) earn less ($1L), while mid-career (5-15 years) doctors see steady increases. Senior doctors (15+ years) and those in leadership roles can earn upwards of $2L.

• Type of Practice

Private practice physicians ($203K - $343K) often earn more but face operational costs, while doctors in government hospitals ($199,505) may have stable salaries but fewer bonuses.

• Hospital & Employer Reputation

Physicians in top hospitals like Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, or Cleveland Clinic often earn higher salaries and have access to research funding, while those in smaller or community hospitals may have more limited earning potential.

With an overview of the factors affecting doctor salaries in the U.S., let’s explore how upGrad can help you secure jobs in the U.S.

upGrad Abroad – Helping Doctors Prepare for US Jobs

upGrad helps medical professionals by providing study-abroad pathways, licensing exam guidance, and skill-enhancing programs for the U.S. job market.

Here’s how upGrad helps you prepare for doctor jobs in the US.

• Global Medical Education Pathways: upGrad provides study-abroad programs that help medical students and professionals transition into international medical education systems.
• Guidance on Medical Licensing Exams: Guides study strategies, resources, and preparation techniques for international medical graduates aiming to qualify in the U.S.
• Career Advancement Programs: Provides programs in healthcare management, public health, and emerging technologies like AI in healthcare, which can improve employability in global healthcare systems.
• Visa & Immigration Support for Higher Education: upGrad assists students in handling visa applications and requirements when enrolling in medical programs abroad.

Want to know the best path to a doctor’s job in the US? Book a free counseling session with upGrad’s experienced advisors today. Get the right guidance to prepare for entrance exams and plan your study path!

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