Average Salary for Doctors in the USA 2025: Pay by Experience Levels, Top States & How to Earn More
In 2025, the salary for Doctors matters a lot for career choices.
Doctors and other medical professionals play a vital role in keeping people healthy and saving lives every day. They work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices to help patients feel better.
If you want to become a doctor, you might wonder how much money you can make.
The salary of doctors in the USA varies a lot based on what type of doctor you become and where you work. Healthcare costs keep going up, and doctors need fair pay for their hard work and long years of training.
This blog will help you learn about doctor salaries across different specialties and locations. We'll answer questions like: How much do doctors really make? What affects their pay? Which states pay doctors the most?
We'll also look at salary ranges from entry-level to senior positions. You'll learn practical tips to grow your income as a doctor. We'll compare salaries in different countries, too. By the end of this article, you'll have a clear picture of what doctors earn in 2025.
We collect data from government sources and leading salary websites to ensure you get accurate information.
Average Salary for Doctors in the USA?
$352,000 per year (Average)
Doctors in the US earn an average of $352,000 per year, according to global salary surveys and government data.
This figure is based on information from sources like Indeed and Medscape, as well as other trusted job platforms. We arrived at this average by analyzing data from thousands of doctors across different specialties.
This year's average marks a small increase from last year. The growth in doctor salaries is due to higher demand for healthcare services and rising living costs.
As more people seek medical care, job opportunities for doctors grow.
Salary for Doctors Key Metrics 2025
Average salary: $352,000 per year across all medical specialties. This includes both primary care doctors and specialists working in different settings.
Salary range: Doctor salaries can range from over $200,000 to nearly $800,000. The minimum salary is for new doctors in primary care. The maximum is for experienced surgeons and specialists.
Salary by experience:
- According to many U.S. data sources and surveys, junior doctors earn around $200,000-250,000 per year.
- Mid-level doctors with 5-10 years of experience make $300,000-400,000.
- Senior doctors with 15+ years can earn $500,000-800,000 or more.
75th percentile: Government data and salary surveys show that doctors in the 75th percentile make around $450,000 a year. This means 75% of doctors make less than this amount, while 25% make more.
Salary for Doctors: Regional Comparison
Yes, different regions affect the salaries of professions. Here's how doctor pay in different parts of America compares to the $352,000 average.
Data collected from multiple regional salary surveys and government statistics, 2025
The South Central states pay doctors the most at $361,000. The Pacific states (like California) pay the least at $251,000.
Best Place to Work: The South Central states give doctors good pay and a lower cost of living. This means more money left over after the bills.
7 Tips to Grow Your Doctor's Salary
1. Get Board Certification in Your Specialty: Board certification can raise your salary by 15-20%, according to medical compensation reports. Patients and hospitals trust certified doctors more. This leads to better job offers and higher pay.
2. Work in High-Demand Specialties: Surgical and procedural specialties like neurosurgery earn above $760,000 per year. Consider specializing in areas where doctors are needed most. Emergency medicine and anesthesia also pay well.
3. Move to High-Paying States: States like Alaska, Wyoming, and North Dakota pay doctors more because they need more medical professionals. Research shows doctors can earn 20-30% more by relocating to these areas.
4. Join Group Practices or Health Systems: Group practices often pay more than solo work. Large health systems offer better benefits and bonuses. They also provide more resources to help you treat more patients.
5. Take on Leadership Roles: Becoming a department head or medical director adds $50,000-100,000 to your base salary. Administrative experience makes you more valuable to employers.
6. Pursue Additional Training and Skills: Learning new procedures or technologies can boost your income. Doctors with special skills, like robotic surgery, earn premium rates for their expertise.
7. Negotiate Your Contract: Don't accept the first offer. Research local salary data before negotiations. Ask for better benefits if they can't raise your base pay. Many doctors leave money on the table by not negotiating.
FAQs About Doctors' Salaries
Is the average salary of doctors before or after tax?
This is the gross annual salary before taxes. Doctors pay federal, state, and local taxes like everyone else. Your take-home pay will be less than these numbers.
Does the salary of doctors include bonuses?
No, these salary figures don't include bonuses or overtime pay. Many doctors earn extra money through bonuses, call pay, and performance incentives.
What affects a doctor's salary the most?
Specialty choice has the biggest impact on salary. Surgical specialists earn $600,000 or higher on average, while primary care doctors earn less.
How does a doctor's salary change with experience?
New doctors start around $200,000-250,000. After 10 years, most earn $350,000+. Senior doctors with 20+ years can make $500,000-800,000 or more.
Which state pays doctors the highest salary?
Alaska, Wyoming, and Montana typically pay the highest doctor salaries. These states need more doctors and offer higher pay to attract them.
Do male and female doctors earn the same salary?
According to the 2025 Medscape report, male physicians earn an average of $414,000 compared to female physicians earning $318,000. The gender pay gap remains a concern in medicine.
What is the lowest-paying doctor specialty?
Primary care specialties like family medicine and pediatrics typically pay the least. These specialties average around $291,000 to $360,000.
How much do doctors make per hour?
Doctors earn anywhere from $50-$200 per hour based on their annual salaries. However, most doctors receive annual salaries rather than hourly pay.
Do doctors in private practice make more money?
It depends on the specialty and location. Some private practice doctors earn more, but they also have higher expenses and business risks.
What is the job outlook for doctors?
The demand for doctors continues to grow as the population ages. This strong demand helps keep salaries high and provides job security.
If you are interested in exploring more medical professions' salaries, like a Psychologist, Therapist, Pharmacist, etc. Check out this link here.
Note: All pay information is current as of 2025. Data comes from several global salary surveys and government statistics, 2025.
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