How much does a physician make?
The median physician in the United States earns $312,400 per year, about $150.19 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all physicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1222.
Physician salary range
Pay for physicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $92,540 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $449,970. The average (mean) wage is $285,420, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $92,540 | $44.49 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $186,300 | $89.57 | |
| Median (50th) | $312,400 | $150.19 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $372,780 | $179.22 | |
| 90th percentile | $449,970 | $216.33 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for physicians, pathologists (SOC 29-1222), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Physician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Physicians earn the most in Pennsylvania at $413,370 a year, and the least in Wisconsin at $83,610. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $413,370 | 210 |
| West Virginia | $400,070 | 50 |
| Nevada | $384,350 | 40 |
| Illinois | $381,770 | N/A |
| Minnesota | $362,270 | 550 |
| New Jersey | $355,970 | 230 |
| Texas | $345,830 | 1,530 |
| Indiana | $340,300 | 380 |
| Arizona | $338,290 | 270 |
| Kentucky | $324,390 | N/A |
| Iowa | $323,460 | 80 |
| Rhode Island | $322,950 | N/A |
| New York | $321,550 | 1,220 |
| Oklahoma | $317,850 | 130 |
| Florida | $313,510 | 370 |
| Ohio | $309,480 | 600 |
| Michigan | $303,070 | 140 |
| Washington | $300,680 | 200 |
| Colorado | $294,510 | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $285,240 | 320 |
| Missouri | $261,830 | N/A |
| Mississippi | $261,570 | 50 |
| Maryland | $253,670 | 70 |
| North Carolina | $248,940 | 340 |
| Virginia | $240,780 | 110 |
| North Dakota | $239,200+ | 30 |
| Oregon | $239,200+ | 150 |
| South Carolina | $236,950 | 80 |
| Nebraska | $229,140 | 90 |
| Kansas | $224,280 | 30 |
| Arkansas | $214,100 | 130 |
| Georgia | $211,800 | 170 |
| Vermont | $188,250 | N/A |
| California | $186,300 | 1,790 |
| Wisconsin | $83,610 | 130 |
State median wages for physicians, pathologists (SOC 29-1222), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. 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 (Pennsylvania, $413,370) and the lowest (Wisconsin, $83,610) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 11,110 people work as physicians in the United States. At $312,400 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Physician salary FAQ
How much does a physician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a physician is $150.19. The middle half of physicians earn between $89.57 and $179.22 per hour.
What is the highest physician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of physicians earn more than $449,970 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 $312,400. The average (mean) wage is $285,420, close to the median.
Is being a physician a well paid job?
At $312,400 a year, a physician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 11,110 people work as physicians in the United States.
Which state pays physicians the most?
Pennsylvania has the highest median salary for physicians at $413,370 a year. West Virginia ($400,070) and Nevada ($384,350) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
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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