Physicians in the United States command high salaries, reflecting the demanding nature of their profession and the extensive education and training required. According to recent data, the average annual salary for a doctor in the US exceeds USD 272,959, with top earners reaching over USD 370,000 per year. However, this figure varies significantly based on factors such as medical specialty, years of experience, location, and employment setting. This comprehensive overview will delve into the factors influencing doctor salaries in the US, explore the salary ranges across different specialties, and analyze the trends and challenges facing physicians in the American healthcare system.
Particular | Details |
Annual Median Pay for Doctors | USD 229,300 |
Average Annual Pay for Doctors | USD 165,347 |
Annual Hourly Median Pay for Doctors | USD 110.24 per hour |
Highest Paid Doctors in the US based on CIty | Killeen – Tempe, Texas: USD 336,440 |
Highest Paid Physicians based on Metro City | Houston: USD 287,680 |
Job Growth in the US for Doctors | 3% |
Growth in Doctors’ Salary in USA | By 4.5% |
Total Medical Jobs in 2024 in USA | 86,000 |
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How Much Does a Doctor Make in USA?
Doctors in the USA earn high salaries, with an average exceeding USD 272,959 per year. However, this varies significantly based on factors like specialty (surgeons and cardiologists often earn the most), experience, location, and employment setting. While highly rewarding, the path to becoming a doctor in the US involves extensive education and training, and the competitive job market requires significant dedication and effort.
Category | Specialties | Average Annual Salary (USD) |
High-Earning | Orthopedics, Plastic Surgery, Cardiology, Radiology, Dermatology, Neurosurgery | USD 500,000+ |
Mid-Range | Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Ophthalmology, Oncology, Gastroenterology | USD 300,000 – USD 500,000 |
Lower-Earning (Relatively) | Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine | USD 200,000 – USD 300,000 |
Read the informative blog on MBBS in the US
Comparison of Doctor Salary in USA By Experience
For Indian students considering a medical career in the USA, understanding how experience impacts doctor salaries is important:
Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary (USD) |
0-5 Years (Early Career) | USD 150,000 – USD 250,000 |
5-10 Years (Mid-Career) | USD 250,000 – USD 400,000 |
10+ Years (Experienced) | USD 400,000+ |
Highest Paying Doctor Jobs in USA 2024
For Indian students considering a medical career in the USA, here are some of the highest-paying doctor jobs in 2024:
Specialty | Average Annual Salary (USD) |
Neurosurgery | USD 763,908 |
Thoracic Surgery | USD 720,634 |
Orthopedic Surgery | USD 654,815 |
Plastic Surgery | USD 619,812 |
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery | USD 603,623 |
Also Read: Top Medical Schools in USA
Doctor Salary in USA Based on Specialty
For Indian students considering a medical career in the USA, understanding the salary variations across specialties is crucial. Here’s an overview of doctor’s salaries in USA based on specialty:
Specialty | Average Annual Salary (USD) |
Neurosurgery | USD 763,908 |
Thoracic Surgery | USD 720,634 |
Orthopedic Surgery | USD 654,815 |
Plastic Surgery | USD 619,812 |
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 1 | USD 603,623 |
Cardiology | USD 565,485 |
Radiology | USD 531,983 |
Dermatology | USD 493,659 |
Gastroenterology | USD 514,208 |
Anesthesiology | USD 494,522 |
Ophthalmology | USD 468,581 |
Oncology | USD 479,754 |
Emergency Medicine | USD 398,990 |
Family Medicine | USD 273,040 |
Pediatrics | USD 242,832 |
Internal Medicine | USD 293,894 |
Comparison of Doctor Salary in USA By Education
For Indian students considering a medical career in the USA, the level of education significantly impacts earning potential. Here’s an overview of a doctor’s salary in USA by education:
Education Level | Average Starting Salary (USD) |
Diploma (Limited Scope) | USD 40,000 – USD 80,000 (Highly Variable) |
MBBS (India) + USMLE + Residency | USD 150,000 – USD 250,000 |
MD/DO (USA) | USD 200,000 – USD 300,000+ |
MD/DO (USA) + Fellowship | USD 300,000+ (often exceeding USD 400,000) |
PhD in Medicine | USD 100,000 – USD 150,000 (Research/Academia) |
MPH (Master of Public Health) | USD 60,000 – USD 90,000 (Public Health roles) |
Also Read: MBBS in USA After 12th
Doctor Salary in USA By Profession
For Indian students considering a medical career in the USA, understanding the salary variations across different medical professions is crucial. Here’s an overview of doctor’s salaries in USA by profession:
Profession | Average Annual Salary (USD) |
Surgeons (e.g., Neurosurgery, Cardiac Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery) | USD 500,000+ (often exceeding USD 600,000) |
Specialists (e.g., Cardiology, Radiology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology) | USD 350,000 – USD 600,000 |
Primary Care Physicians (e.g., Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine) | USD 200,000 – USD 350,000 |
Psychiatrists | USD 250,000 – USD 400,000 |
Anesthesiologists | USD 350,000 – USD 500,000 |
Emergency Medicine Physicians | USD 300,000 – USD 450,000 |
Radiologists | USD 400,000 – USD 600,000 |
Dermatologists | USD 350,000 – USD 550,000 |
Read about How to become a Doctor
FAQs
Yes, self-employed doctors earn better than full-time doctors on a job. Self-employed doctors can earn around 50% better salary.
Doctors with MDs in Plastic surgery earn the highest salary in the USA.
Doctors work 40-60 hours per week in the USA.
Medical professionals in the USA, whether holding an MBBS, MD, MS, or a doctoral degree in medicine or surgery, can earn up to USD 340,000 per year, depending on their specialization. On average, doctors in the United States earn approximately USD 165,347 annually.
In the United States, the average yearly salary for an MBBS graduate is approximately USD 135,161. To break it down, this equates to around USD 64.98 per hour, USD 2,599 per week, or USD 11,263 per month.
Neurosurgeons rank as the highest-earning medical professionals on the list. Their work involves performing surgeries on the brain, spinal cord, spinal column, and peripheral nerves. To become a neurosurgeon, individuals must undergo a residency program lasting a minimum of seven years.
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