Physician Salary 2025: Median $271,090 – What Doctors Earn
Physicians earn a median $271,090 per year, or about $130 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 10% take home over $477,980, while the bottom 10% make $75,760 – often reflecting residents or part-time roles. With 754,760 physicians employed nationwide, this is a high-stakes, high-reward career.
How much Physicians earn
The median annual wage for physicians is $271,090, with a mean wage of $277,260. That works out to about $133 per hour on average. The range is wide: the lowest 10% earned $75,760 or less, which may include physicians in residency or fellowship training. At the top, the highest 10% make over $477,980.
Pay varies by specialty, experience, and practice setting. Surgeons, anesthesiologists, and certain procedural specialists tend to exceed the median, while pediatrics and primary care may fall closer to the lower end. The BLS data includes all physicians and surgeons, so the overall median reflects the mix.
Pay by state
State-level data for physicians is not available from the BLS at this time. However, wages generally trend higher in regions with higher costs of living and greater demand for specialists. States like California, New York, and Texas employ the largest numbers of physicians, but specific pay figures by state are not published in the current BLS release.
How to become Physician
Becoming a physician requires a bachelor's degree, four years of medical school, and a residency program lasting three to seven years, depending on specialty. After medical school, you must pass the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exam) for allopathic medicine or the COMLEX for osteopathic medicine. State licensure is mandatory in all states.
Most pre-med students major in biology or chemistry, but any bachelor's with required prerequisites works. Medical school admission is highly competitive, requiring strong MCAT scores. After residency, some physicians pursue fellowships for subspecialization.
- Earn a bachelor's degree with pre-med coursework
- Take the MCAT and apply to medical school (4 years)
- Complete residency in chosen specialty (3-7 years)
- Pass USMLE/COMLEX and obtain state license
- Consider board certification for career advancement
Job outlook
The BLS does not provide a specific growth projection for physicians from 2024–2034. However, overall demand for physicians is expected to remain strong due to an aging population and increased healthcare needs. Employment of physicians and surgeons is projected to grow about in line with the average for all occupations, with continued demand in rural and underserved areas.
Frequently asked questions
Do physicians make a lot of money?
Yes. The median physician salary is $271,090 per year, with top earners exceeding $477,980. However, income varies greatly by specialty, experience, and location.
How long does it take to become a physician?
Typically 11 to 17 years after high school: 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, and 3–7 years of residency.
What is the highest-paying physician specialty?
Neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and cardiology are among the highest-paying specialties, often averaging over $500,000.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Physicians data.