Physician Salary Ranges by Specialty: 2022 Medscape Data

Physician compensation varies dramatically by specialty, practice setting, geography, and experience. The following median annual incomes are from the Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2022.

Highest-Paying Specialties (Median)

1. Plastic Surgery: $537,000
2. Orthopedic Surgery: $511,000
3. Cardiology: $489,000
4. Dermatology: $479,000
5. Gastroenterology: $469,000

Lowest-Paying Specialties (Median)

1. Family Medicine: $201,000
2. Pediatrics: $211,000
3. Internal Medicine: $215,000
4. Psychiatry: $223,000
5. Preventive Medicine: $225,000

Critical Context

• These are medians—individual salaries vary widely above and below.
• Compensation includes salary, bonuses, and profit-sharing; excludes practice overhead for owners.
• Geographic differences can exceed 30% for the same specialty.
• Academic vs. private practice, employment model, and call burden significantly impact earnings.

Use this data as a benchmark, not a guarantee. Consult specialty-specific surveys and local market data for precise expectations.