US Doctor Salary: What They Really Earn and How It Compares
When you hear US doctor salary, the average annual income earned by licensed physicians practicing in the United States. Also known as physician income, it varies wildly depending on specialty, location, and years of experience. It’s not just about the big numbers—it’s about the years of training, the stress, the on-call nights, and the trade-offs that come with it.
Some specialties, specific areas of medical practice like neurosurgery, cardiology, or radiology pay far more than others. A neurosurgeon in Texas might clear $700,000 a year, while a pediatrician in Vermont might make $220,000. That’s not a typo. The difference comes down to demand, complexity, and how many hours you’re willing to put in. Medical education, the long path from pre-med to residency to board certification takes over a decade, and debt from med school can hit $300,000. So yes, salaries are high—but they’re also the result of massive investment.
Location matters too. A dermatologist in California earns more than one in Mississippi—not because they’re better, but because cost of living, patient volume, and insurance reimbursement rates differ. Hospitals in big cities pay more to attract talent. Rural clinics? They struggle to keep doctors at all. And don’t forget: healthcare salaries, the broader pay scale across nurses, physician assistants, and specialists are all connected. When doctor pay shifts, it ripples through the whole system.
What you won’t hear much about? Many doctors still work 60+ hour weeks. Some burn out. Others switch to consulting, teaching, or telemedicine to regain control. The money is real, but the lifestyle isn’t one-size-fits-all. The posts below dig into real stories—how IIT grads ended up earning six figures in US hospitals, what online certifications help doctors boost income on the side, and why some choose to leave clinical practice altogether. You’ll see how education, location, and specialization shape not just pay, but purpose.
- By Nolan Blackburn
- /
- 21 Nov 2025
What Is the Salary of an MBBS Doctor in the USA?
Discover the real salary range for MBBS doctors in the USA, including starting pay, specialty differences, location impacts, and whether it's worth the journey for international graduates.