Doctor Salary in USA 2025: Average Pay and Specializations

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, USA physician salary  average experiences slight boosts, providing hopeful opportunities for local and foreign physicians.

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.

From general practice doctors to specialists with  surgeons salaries, anesthesiologists, and cardiologist salaries, ultimately it is the doctor salary in USA provides business trends, compensation packages, and job market information. This data is required by medical students who apply for medical courses abroad, doctors who seek to sit for USMLE exam, or applicants to apply study in USA opportunities to establish a lucrative medical career. 

Average Doctor Salary in the US: Overview and Key Statistics 

The average salary of doctors in the US is $1L - $2L (INR 87L-1.7CR) annually, 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. Moreover, pay is also geography dependent. It can be seen in cases where a doctor’s salary in New York is greater than a doctor’s salary in Nebraska. 

For foreign students and medical aspirants willing to study medicine in USA or sit for the USMLE exam, analysis of these average doctor salaries reveals some insightful information regarding the highest paying jobs, future earnings, and the future of the medical career in USA.

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.

 

Highest Paying Doctor Specializations in USA 2025 

High-demand specializations like oncology, anesthesiology, and pulmonology command salaries exceeding $300,000 (INR 2.6CR) annually due to their complexity, patient demand, and critical nature. 

Meanwhile, fields such as orthopedics and radiology, while still lucrative, often earn around $200,000 (INR 1.7CR) annually, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Below is a detailed breakdown of doctor salaries in the USA by specializations to help you compare average physician income across key medical fields. 

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

Doctor Salary Comparison: Government Jobs vs Private Sector

Doctors working in government hospitals typically earn below $200,000 (INR 1.7CR) annually, reflecting stable but lower salaries compared to private practice. In private practice, earnings range from $200,000 (INR 1.7CR) to $350,000 (INR 3.07CR), depending on patient volume, specialization, and location.   

Those employed in hospitals see further variation. For instance, smaller hospital chains like Steward Healthcare offers an average salary of around $101,082 (INR 88L) per year, while larger networks like HCA Healthcare provide higher pay, averaging $142,277 (INR 1.2CR) annually. 

The following breakdown highlights how doctor salaries in USA by workplace setting can differ across healthcare systems, giving insights into overall medical profession income and compensation trends: 

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

State-Wise Comparison of Doctor Salaries in USA

Doctors working in wealthier states like Texas and California have average salaries exceeding $200,000 (INR 1.7CR) per year, fueled by high volumes of patients, improved health facilities, and increased cost of living. Doctors working in poorer states like Hawaii and Maine have an average income of less than $200,000 (INR 1.7CR) per year, showcasing geographic disparities in physician incomes. 

Here’s how average doctor salaries in the USA vary across states showcasing how location, healthcare need, and cost of living affect medical incomes across various regions: 

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

Doctor Earnings in USA: Entry-Level, Mid-Career, and Senior Salaries

Entry-level doctors earn around $1L (INR 87L), while experienced professionals make approximately $2L (INR 1.7CR) due to specialization, expertise, and patient volume.  

The same trend applies to hospital-employed doctors, where salaries start at $231K (INR 2.02 CR) and rise to $286K (INR 2.5 CR) with experience. In private practice, entry-level doctors earn around $205K (INR 1.8CR, while seasoned practitioners can make up to $263K (INR 2.3CR. 

Here’s how salaries vary 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!

 

US Doctor Salary vs Other Countries: A Global Pay Comparison

Doctor salaries across the world vary greatly due to healthcare systems, physician demand, cost of living, and government policy. Canadian average physician salary is approximately $220,000 (INR 1.9CR) per annum along with a public healthcare system and secure demand for doctors. Doctor Salary in Australia is an average of $120,000 (INR 1.05CR) per annum, because of universal coverage of healthcare and reduced overall medical costs. 

NHS (National Health Service) in the UK follows a structured salary system, while in India, lower healthcare costs and high doctor availability contribute to lower doctor salaries. In contrast, doctor salaries in the USA continue to be among the highest and tend to exceed $200,000 per year due to private healthcare systems, high demand, and high cost of medical education. 

Below is a detailed comparison of average doctor salaries 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

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.

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.

US Jobs for Doctors: How upGrad Abroad Can Help 

upGrad helps medical graduates to become doctors in the USA via study-abroad programs with direction, US medical licensing exam prep courses, and professional healthcare career-building programs. 

• International Medical Education Pathways: upGrad offers thorough study abroad programs for doctors to allow medical graduates to blend seamlessly into international education systems and advance in medical professions worldwide. 
• Tips for US Medical Licensing Exams (USMLE): With guidance from mentors, carefully selected study material, and tried methods, upGrad enables international medical students to prepare well for the USMLE exam, an essential qualification to practice medicine in the USA. 
• Healthcare Careers: upGrad provides focused courses in public health, health administration, and health technology (healthcare and AI) to improve employability and create new career opportunities in the international medical sector. 
• Visa & Immigration Help for Doctors: From application to paperwork, upGrad provides visa and immigration help to medical students and professionals for foreign education and work opportunities. 

With upGrad, future doctors have the opportunity to acquire the appropriate skills, licensing guidance, and career opportunities to become successful medical practitioners in the USA. 

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!

 

For an international perspective, you may also have a glimpse at physician salaries in Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. Future doctors would be interested in the MBBS Doctor Salary in Canada and Doctor's Salary in Ireland Per Month, and the same is present in the Dentist Salary in USA.