How Much Do Doctors Make in 2026? All Specialties Ranked by Compensation

Two doctors can both hold an MD and still end up on opposite ends of a pay gap of more than $560,000 a year. Training length only accounts for part of the difference.

In this post, we’re ranking 40 medical specialties by compensation, counting down from the lowest-paid to the highest-paid doctors in the US.

40 | Preventive Medicine ($265,825)

Starting us off at the bottom is preventive medicine. These physicians make an average of about $266,000 after 3 years of residency. They focus on population health rather than individual patients, often working in public health departments or corporate wellness programs. 

39 | Pediatrics (273,665)

Pediatricians earn an average of about $274,000 and provide care for patients from birth through young adulthood after completing a 3-year pediatric residency, one of the shortest training paths in medicine. Despite the broad scope of the work, pediatrics remains one of the lowest-paid specialties, largely because Medicaid, which covers a large share of pediatric patients, reimburses at lower rates than commercial insurance.

We excluded pediatric subspecialties from this ranking because they consistently earn significantly less than their adult counterparts. Regular gastroenterologists, for example, earn about 70% more than pediatric gastroenterologists. Pediatric specialists in fields such as child neurology, child psychiatry, and pediatric emergency medicine often complete more training than doctors who treat adults, yet they still earn less due to lower insurance reimbursement rates for children.

38 | Medical Genetics ($273,826)

Medical geneticists earn an average of about $274,000. These physicians require only 3 years of residency. They diagnose and manage genetic disorders, working closely with families to understand inherited conditions.

37 | Geriatrics ($304,411)

Geriatricians earn an average of about $304,000 and specialize in treating the elderly after 3 years of either an internal medicine or family medicine residency, followed by a 1-year geriatric medicine fellowship.

Despite our rapidly aging population, this specialty faces challenges with low reimbursement rates and complex patient care needs that require more time per visit.

36 | Endocrinology ($309,782)

Endocrinologists earn an average of about $310,000 treating diabetes and hormonal disorders after completing a 3-year internal medicine residency and a 2- to 3-year endocrinology fellowship.

35 | Medicine/Pediatrics ($319,995)

Med-Peds physicians earn $320,000 after 4 years of combined residency training. Treating both kids and adults in settings that range from pediatric clinics to adult hospitals may be versatile, but the pay reflects the broad, less specialized nature of the approach.

34 | Rheumatology ($321,778)

Rheumatologists earn $322,000 and treat autoimmune and inflammatory conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. It requires a 3-year internal medicine residency followed by a 2-year rheumatology fellowship.

33 | Family Medicine ($325,040)

Family medicine hits $325,000 and requires 3 years of residency. Despite being the backbone of healthcare and treating patients of all ages, compensation lags well behind most other specialties, and the primary care physician shortage continues to worsen.

32 | Occupational Medicine ($329,380)

Occupational medicine physicians earn an average of $329,000 after one of the shorter paths to board certification in medicine, a brief prerequisite clinical year followed by a two-year occupational medicine residency, often paired with a Master of Public Health. 

They focus on workplace health, managing work-related injuries and illnesses and advising employers on safety, and despite the relatively short training timeline, compensation still lands well below many specialties with comparable or longer training.

31 | Allergy & Immunology ($335,978)

Allergy and immunology specialists earn an average of $336,000 after 3 years of internal medicine or pediatrics residency and 2 to 3 years of fellowship training.

These doctors treat everything from seasonal allergies to complex immunodeficiencies, often maintaining both adult and pediatric practices.

30 | Infectious Disease ($337,353)

Infectious disease specialists make $337,000. These physicians require 3 years of IM residency followed by 2 years of fellowship.

Even after gaining recognition during the pandemic for their expertise in complex infections and antimicrobial resistance, compensation remains relatively modest by physician standards.

29 | Internal Medicine ($339,274)

Internal medicine averages $339,000 after 3 years of residency. But note that this is for those who stay in general practice. Many IM physicians subspecialize, although the salary boost isn’t guaranteed.

For example, endocrinology pays about $30,000 less than regular IM despite additional fellowship training, showing how more training doesn’t automatically mean higher compensation.

28 | Psychiatry ($350,786)

Psychiatrists earn an average of almost $351,000 after 4 years of residency. Despite the growing mental health crisis and increasing demand for psychiatric services, compensation remains somewhat low due to a complete lack of procedures. Many supplement their income through private practice and cash-pay models.

And here’s where the compensation gaps really begin to grow.

27 | Neurology ($371,087)

Neurologists make $371,000 after 4 years of residency, treating disorders of the brain and nervous system.

26 | Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation ($376,234)

PM&R physicians earn $376,000 after completing four years of residency and focus on restoring their patients’ function and quality of life. 

25 | Nephrology ($385,425)

Nephrologists average $385,000 and focus on the kidneys. With increasing chronic kidney disease and diabetes prevalence, these specialists are in high demand, particularly for dialysis and transplant care.

24 | Pathology ($410,039)

Pathologists earn an average of $410,000 after 4 years of residency. They work behind the scenes, examining tissues and lab specimens. While they have minimal patient interaction, their work is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

23 | OB/GYN ($420,859)

OB/GYNs make about $421,000 after 4 years of residency. They provide comprehensive women’s healthcare from routine care to delivering babies and performing surgery. High malpractice liability risks are factored into compensation packages.

22 | Emergency Medicine ($423,723)

Emergency medicine hits nearly $424,000 after 3 to 4 years of residency. The demanding shift work, which includes nights, weekends, and holidays, combined with the immediate life-saving nature of the job, drives this higher compensation.

21 | Pulmonology ($441,472)

Pulmonologists earn an average of $441,000. After 3 years of internal medicine residency, these specialists complete a 3-year combined pulmonology and critical care fellowship.

Pulmonologists specialize in treating respiratory diseases and often work in critical care settings. With conditions like COPD and lung cancer requiring specialized care, they command higher compensation than many other internal medicine subspecialties.

20 | Hematology ($446,700)

Hematologists earn an average of $446,700 after a 3-year internal medicine residency and a fellowship that runs 2 years for hematology alone or 3 years if combined with medical oncology, which most fellows pursue. They treat diseases of the blood, including anemias, clotting disorders, and blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.

Hematology and oncology fellowships are frequently combined, since the two fields overlap heavily in treating blood cancers. A hematologist who trains separately from oncology tends to see a narrower mix of patients, largely benign blood disorders, while those who complete the combined pathway can manage both the blood disease itself and any resulting malignancy. 

19 | Ophthalmology ($487,438)

Ophthalmologists earn $487,000 after 4 years of residency, treating eye diseases and performing surgeries such as cataract removal. This specialty is known for its excellent work-life balance combined with strong compensation.

18 | Colon and Rectal Surgery ($492,802)

Colorectal surgeons earn nearly $493,000 after 6 years of training, 5 in general surgery residency and 1 in a colorectal surgery fellowship. They treat diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus, including colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and diverticular disease.

Despite the additional fellowship year on top of a full general surgery residency, compensation is below that of several specialties with shorter total training. Colon and rectal surgery also has one of the highest case volumes among surgical subspecialties, drawing physicians who want to combine endoscopy, oncologic surgery, and complex pelvic floor work within a single practice.

17 | Dermatology ($497,509)

Dermatologists earn an average of $497,000 after 4 years of residency, which represents the best of both worlds: high pay and an exceptional work-life balance.

Most work regular business hours and deal with minimal emergency call. This lifestyle appeal makes it fiercely competitive, with a 62.6% match rate and an average Step 2 score of 258, second only to ophthalmology and thoracic surgery, which are tied for first at 259.

16 | General Surgery ($501,003)

General surgeons earn just over $500,000 after 5 years of residency. Like internal medicine does for non-surgical subspecialties, general surgery serves as the foundation for many surgical subspecialties.

Surgical specialties are, of course, more procedural than non-surgical specialties, and procedures pay more.

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 15 | Oncology ($519,715)

Medical oncologists earn an average of about $520,000 after 3 years of internal medicine residency and a 3-year hematology/oncology fellowship. They treat cancer patients with chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

14 | Gastroenterology ($531,345)

Gastroenterologists earn $531,000 after completing 3 years of internal medicine residency and 3 years of fellowship training. They treat digestive system disorders, and procedures like colonoscopies and endoscopies significantly boost earning potential.

13 | Otolaryngology (ENT) ($549,810)

ENT surgeons earn an average of nearly $550,000 after 5 years of residency, treating conditions of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures. ENT offers diverse practice opportunities from pediatric cases to complex head and neck cancer surgeries.

12 | Anesthesiology ($557,131)

Anesthesiologists earn $557,000 after 4 years of residency. They ensure patient safety during surgery and manage pain, working behind the scenes and playing a critical role in every surgical procedure.

11 | Urology ($566,740)

Urologists make an average of $567,000 after 5 years of residency, treating conditions of the urinary tract and male reproductive system. Unique among surgical subspecialties, urology offers greater flexibility between clinic and operating room practice.

10 | Vascular Surgery ($600,520)

Vascular surgeons average $600,000 after either 5 years of general surgery residency and 2 years of vascular surgery fellowship or a 5- to 7-year integrated vascular surgery residency.

Vascular surgeons treat diseases of the blood vessels throughout the body, managing complex cases such as aortic aneurysms and peripheral artery disease.

9 | Cardiology ($604,635)

Cardiologists earn $605,000 after 3 years of internal medicine residency and a 3-year cardiology fellowship. It’s the most competitive and highest-paying of all internal medicine fellowships. Cardiologists treat diseases of the heart and vascular system, such as heart failure, hypertension, and heart attacks.

8 | Radiology ($609,684)

Radiologists earn nearly $610,000 after 5 years of residency. They interpret imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. Many enjoy flexible schedules and remote work options, striking a happy medium between a solid work-life balance and great compensation.

7 | Radiation Oncology ($613,837)

Radiation oncologists make about $614,000 after 5 years of residency, treating cancer patients with targeted radiation therapy.

6 | Plastic Surgery ($625,757)

Plastic surgeons average $625,000 after either a 6-year integrated plastic surgery residency or 5 years of general surgery followed by 3 years of independent plastic surgery residency.

These surgeons perform both reconstructive and aesthetic procedures, with many supplementing income through cash-pay cosmetic procedures.

5 | Pediatric (General) Surgery ($627,126)

Pediatric surgeons operate on infants, children, and adolescents, treating congenital anomalies, tumors, and traumatic injuries. The work is high-stakes, and the lifestyle reflects that intensity.

Training requires a 5-year general surgery residency followed by a 2-year pediatric surgery fellowship, for a total of at least 7 years after medical school.

 4 | Interventional Radiology ($634,658)

Making a giant leap this year, interventional radiologists earn an average of over $630,000 per year.

Interventional radiologists use imaging guidance to perform minimally invasive procedures that actively treat patients, rather than only diagnosing conditions. This procedural role comes with longer training, typically 6 to 7 years, and more demanding call responsibilities.

3 | Orthopedic Surgery ($696,850)

Orthopedic surgeons earn over $695,000 after 5 years of residency training. They treat musculoskeletal conditions from sports injuries to joint replacements.

2 | Thoracic Surgery ($749,707)

Thoracic surgeons earn nearly $750,000 after completing either an integrated 6-year residency or a 5-year general surgery residency, followed by a 2- to 3-year cardiothoracic fellowship.

These surgeons perform complex surgeries on the heart, lungs, and chest organs, and these are procedures that are among the most technically demanding in medicine, often carrying life-or-death stakes.

1 | Neurosurgery ($829,161)

Neurosurgeons top the list at nearly $830,000 after 7 years of residency, which is the longest in medicine. They perform surgery on the brain, spine, and nervous system, often in emergencies where every second counts. They earn over 3 times as much as the lowest-paid specialty makes.

Remember, if you’re serious about matching into any competitive specialty, SpecialtyPredictor.com will show you exactly where you stand and what you need to improve.