Average Physician Salary: $240,273 (2026)

The average physician salary across all U.S. metropolitan areas is $240,273 per year as of 2026. This is based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data covering 50 metro areas. Salaries range from $199,903 in El Paso, TX to $337,275 in San Jose, CA.

The average hourly rate for physicians is $115.52 per hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Hourly rates vary by location, ranging from $96.11/hour in lower-paying areas to $162.15/hour in top-paying cities like San Jose.

San Jose, CA is the highest paying metro area for physicians, with a median salary of $337,275 per year. This is 40% above the national average of $240,273. Other high-paying areas typically include major tech hubs and cities with high costs of living.

Entry-level physicians (10th percentile) typically earn around $156,272 per year nationally. Starting salaries depend on education, certifications, location, and industry. Most entry-level professionals can expect to reach the median salary of $240,273 within 3-5 years of career growth.

The average physician salary of $240,273 is 306% higher than the typical U.S. worker salary of approximately $59,228. Top earners in this profession (90th percentile) can make $350,682 or more annually.

El Paso, TX has the lowest physician salary at $199,903 per year. However, lower salaries often correlate with lower costs of living, which can result in similar purchasing power. The salary difference between the highest and lowest paying areas is $137,372.

There are approximately 14,028 physicians employed across the 50 metropolitan areas tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This represents a moderate-sized job market with opportunities in healthcare industries nationwide.

The biggest factors affecting physician salary include: geographic location (salaries vary by up to $137,372 across cities), years of experience, industry sector, Specialty — surgical subspecialties earn 2–3× more than primary care, Practice setting — private practice ownership often maximizes income vs. employed positions. Metropolitan areas with high industry demand and cost of living typically pay more.

In-demand skills that boost physician salaries include: Clinical reasoning and differential diagnosis, Procedural and surgical dexterity (specialty-dependent), Patient communication and shared decision-making, Proficiency with EHR systems (Epic, Cerner, MEDITECH), Evidence-based medicine and critical appraisal of research. Specialty — surgical subspecialties earn 2–3× more than primary care Developing specialized expertise can help you reach the top 25% of earners ($298,080).

Physician salaries have generally kept pace with inflation, with the current average of $240,273 reflecting 2026 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The job outlook is positive, which typically supports continued salary growth. Professionals who develop in-demand skills and pursue certifications tend to see above-average salary increases.