Doximity has released its physician compensation report for 2026, based on nearly 23,000 U.S. physicians surveyed in 2025. The analysis also incorporates data from Doximity’s tech-enabled Talent Solutions business, which supports permanent and locum tenens healthcare staffing. Average physician compensation increased 2% from 2024 to 2025, continuing a period of moderating growth. But compensation is only one measure of a profession in transition.
The Bay Area has some of the highest pay in the nation for physicians with San Francisco coming in sixth at $462,806 and San Jose in 8th spot with $459,691. Oklahoma City was No. 1 according to the survey with $495,617 per year.
Here are the top 20 highest-paying physician specialties and lowest-paying for 2026.
Top 20 Highest-Paying Physician Specialties (2026)
| Specialty | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| 1. Neurosurgery | $829,161 |
| 2. Thoracic Surgery | $749,707 |
| 3. Orthopaedic Surgery | $696,852 |
| 4. Interventional Radiology | $634,658 |
| 5. Pediatric (General) Surgery | $627,126 |
| 6. Plastic Surgery | $625,757 |
| 7. Radiation Oncology | $613,837 |
| 8. Radiology | $609,684 |
| 9. Cardiology | $604,635 |
| 10. Vascular Surgery | $600,520 |
| 11. Urology | $566,740 |
| 12. Anesthesiology | $557,131 |
| 13. Otolaryngology (ENT) | $549,810 |
| 14. Gastroenterology | $531,345 |
| 15. Oncology | $519,715 |
| 16. General Surgery | $501,003 |
| 17. Dermatology | $497,509 |
| 18. Colon & Rectal Surgery | $492,802 |
| 19. Ophthalmology | $487,438 |
| 20. Hematology | $446,700 |
Data Source: 2026 Doximity Physician Compensation Report
20 Lowest-Paying Physician Specialties (2026)
| Specialty | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| 1. Pediatric Infectious Disease | $217,819 |
| 2. Pediatric Rheumatology | $236,011 |
| 3. Pediatric Endocrinology | $242,274 |
| 4. Preventive Medicine | $265,825 |
| 5. Pediatric Nephrology | $269,825 |
| 6. Pediatric Hematology & Oncology | $271,021 |
| 7. Pediatrics | $273,665 |
| 8. Medical Genetics | $273,826 |
| 9. Pediatric Pulmonology | $278,452 |
| 10. Geriatrics | $304,411 |
| 11. Child Neurology | $309,593 |
| 12. Endocrinology | $309,782 |
| 13. Pediatric Gastroenterology | $311,433 |
| 14. Medicine/Pediatrics | $319,995 |
| 15. Rheumatology | $321,778 |
| 16. Family Medicine | $325,040 |
| 17. Occupational Medicine | $329,380 |
| 18. Pediatric Emergency Medicine | $332,579 |
| 19. Allergy & Immunology | $335,978 |
| 20. Infectious Disease | $337,353 |
Data Source: 2026 Doximity Physician Compensation Report
