Doctor Salary in 2023: A Comprehensive Breakdown by Specialty & Location

The amount of money a doctor can expect to make can vary significantly depending on several factors, including specialty, practice setting, geographical location, years of experience, and reputation. Here are some general income ranges for doctors in the United States as of 2023:

Primary Care Physicians:

- Average annual salary: $243,000 - $271,000

- Family medicine: $222,000 - $259,000

- Internal medicine: $242,000 - $277,000

- Pediatrics: $224,000 - $258,000

Medical Specialists:

- Average annual salary: $347,000 - $471,000

- Cardiology: $447,000 - $513,000

- Dermatology: $445,000 - $573,000

- Neurosurgery: $546,000 - $685,000

- Orthopedic surgery: $450,000 - $528,000

- Plastic surgery: $531,000 - $675,000

Surgical Specialists:

- Average annual salary: $490,000 - $701,000

- Cardiothoracic surgery: $595,000 - $776,000

- Colon and rectal surgery: $512,000 - $655,000

- Gynecologic oncology: $522,000 - $644,000

- Thoracic surgery: $570,000 - $748,000

- Urology: $609,000 - $753,000

Note:

1. These ranges represent median or average compensation and may vary from individual cases.

2. Incomes mentioned here exclude additional compensation, such as bonuses, profit-sharing, and retirement contributions.

3. Doctors starting their careers and those working in lower-cost areas generally tend to earn less, while experienced professionals in high-demand specialties or practicing in urban regions may make significantly higher incomes.