Primary care and specialists. Rural states often pay MORE due to severe shortages.
Pay scales steeply with tenure for Physician (MD/DO)s. National figures, before regional adjustments.
| Experience | Median 2026 | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–1 yr) | $189,000 | $150,500 | $258,500 |
| Junior (2–4 yrs) | $234,900 | $187,000 | $321,200 |
| Mid-Level (5–9 yrs) | $270,100 | $215,000 | $369,300 |
| Senior (10–14 yrs) | $324,100 | $258,000 | $443,100 |
| Veteran (15+ yrs) | $367,300 | $292,400 | $502,200 |
Top 10 states by median Physician (MD/DO) salary in 2026.
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $378,200 | $287,400 | $491,600 | +40% |
| Washington DC | $378,200 | $287,400 | $491,600 | +40% |
| New York | $359,200 | $273,000 | $467,000 | +33% |
| Massachusetts | $351,100 | $266,900 | $456,500 | +30% |
| Washington | $351,100 | $266,900 | $456,500 | +30% |
| New Jersey | $340,300 | $258,700 | $442,400 | +26% |
| Connecticut | $326,800 | $248,400 | $424,900 | +21% |
| Maryland | $324,100 | $246,300 | $421,400 | +20% |
| Colorado | $316,000 | $240,200 | $410,800 | +17% |
| Hawaii | $307,900 | $234,000 | $400,300 | +14% |
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $235,000 | $178,600 | $305,500 | -13% |
| Montana | $232,300 | $176,500 | $302,000 | -14% |
| Iowa | $229,600 | $174,500 | $298,500 | -15% |
| Kentucky | $229,600 | $174,500 | $298,500 | -15% |
| North Dakota | $226,900 | $172,400 | $295,000 | -16% |
| Oklahoma | $226,900 | $172,400 | $295,000 | -16% |
| Wyoming | $226,900 | $172,400 | $295,000 | -16% |
| Alabama | $224,200 | $170,400 | $291,500 | -17% |
| Louisiana | $224,200 | $170,400 | $291,500 | -17% |
| South Dakota | $216,100 | $164,200 | $280,900 | -20% |
Metro-level pay frequently outpaces state averages — major metros concentrate higher wages.
Click any state for detailed breakdown by experience level and percentile.
The median is just a benchmark. Your exact market value also depends on your state, experience, and education. Use the free calculator for a personalized number.
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