Which state in the US pays doctors the most?

While rankings vary slightly by source and year, recent data suggests New Jersey, South Carolina, California, and North Dakota often appear as top-paying states for doctors, with high compensation also seen in Midwest states like Wisconsin, Missouri, and Indiana, often driven by factors like physician shortages and lower competition in those areas. Some reports highlight Wyoming, Alaska, and North Dakota, while others point to Mississippi and Georgia when adjusting for cost of living.

Which US state pays doctors the most?

1 | Rochester, MN – $495,532

Without further ado, the highest-paying city for doctors in the US is Rochester, Minnesota, where physicians average $496,000 per year. This small city in southeastern Minnesota is home to the Mayo Clinic, and that creates a unique economic dynamic.

Where do doctors get paid the most?

The following are the best countries that offer lucrative job opportunities for doctors and allow them to grow professionally.

1. Switzerland. Switzerland tops the chart when it comes to the highest-paying countries for doctors and related healthcare professionals. ...
2. Canada. ...
3. Luxembourg. ...
4. USA. ...
5. Ireland. ...
6. Australia. ...
7. Austria. ...
8. Belgium.

What doctor makes $500,000 a year?

Doctors in surgical and high-demand procedural specialties frequently earn over $500,000 annually, with top earners often being Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cardiology, and Thoracic Surgery, driven by complex skills, high demand (especially with aging populations), and lucrative elective procedures or emergency needs. Other fields like Radiology, Gastroenterology, Urology, and Anesthesiology also see average incomes exceeding this threshold.
 

What is the lowest paid doctor?

The lowest-paid doctor specialties consistently fall in primary care and certain pediatric subspecialties, with Pediatrics often cited as the lowest overall, followed by Public Health/Preventive Medicine, Family Medicine, and pediatric subspecialties like Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases. These roles offer lower compensation than surgical or high-demand adult specialties, often due to the broad nature of primary care and the focus on children's health, though they provide excellent work-life balance for many.
 

Highest Paid Doctor Specialties in 2026 (💰New Leaders)

What jobs in the US pay $300,000 a year?

Jobs paying $300,000 or more in the U.S. are typically senior roles in technology, finance, law, and medicine, including roles like CEOs, Chief Technology Officers, Investment Bankers, Partner-Level Lawyers, Surgeons, and Specialized Physicians, along with top-tier Sales Directors, Management Consultants, and Private Equity Executives, often relying on bonuses, commissions, or profit-sharing for high earnings. High-income careers without traditional degrees can also be found in tech entrepreneurship, high-level skilled trades, and top-performing sales. 

Which state is best for doctors in the USA?

Topics. In 2025, Montana, Indiana and South Dakota were found to be the best states for practicing medicine, while Hawaii, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia are the most difficult, according to WalletHub's recently released list of the best and worst states for physicians.

Which type of doctor is most in demand?

Strong demand in all specialties

• Family medicine.
• Anesthesiology.
• Internal medicine.
• Radiology.
• Gastroenterology.
• Cardiology.
• Obstetrics and gynecology.
• Hematology/oncology.

Which doctor has the highest salary in America?

With that said, here are the average annual salary of the highest-paying specialties: Anesthesiologists: USD 317,900. General Internal Medicine Doctors: USD 266,200. Obstetricians and Gynecologist: USD 214,300.

Which states need the most doctors?

Top 10 states with the highest demand for healthcare workers in...

• Georgia.
• Illinois. ...
• New York. ...
• North Carolina. ...
• Ohio. ...
• Pennsylvania. ...
• Texas. ...
• Wisconsin. Like many states, Wisconsin is expected to face a shortage of primary care physicians in the next ten years, with 745 positions statewide. ...

Which MD has the highest salary?

The highest-paid medical doctors are consistently in surgical specialties, with Neurosurgery, Thoracic Surgery, and Orthopedic Surgery leading the list, often earning over $600,000-$700,000 annually, followed closely by Plastic Surgery, Radiation Oncology, Cardiology, and Urology, according to 2024-2025 reports. These specialists handle complex procedures for the brain, spine, heart, lungs, bones, and joints, commanding the highest compensation due to the high skill, risk, and demand.
 

What are the least stressful high paid doctors?

Our list of the best medical specialties for work life balance takes concerns about salary, competitiveness, happiness survey data and scheduling into account.

• 10 Best Physician Specialties for Work Life Balance. ...
• Teleradiology. ...
• Anesthesiology. ...
• Dermatology. ...
• Otolaryngology (ENT) ...
• Endocrinology. ...
• Clinical Pathology. ...
• Psychiatry.

Which states pay doctors the least?

States with the Lowest Average Doctor Salaries

• Rhode Island: $305,000 a year.
• Massachusetts: $331,000 a year.
• Hawaii: $340,000 a year.
• Connecticut: $346,000 a year.
• Maine: $346,000 a year.
• Alaska: $357,000 a year.
• Maryland: $357,000 a year.
• New Hampshire: $357,000 a year.

Do doctors get paid during residency?

Yes, doctors absolutely get paid during residency, but it's a salary/stipend for their on-the-job training, not a full physician's wage, typically ranging from around $60,000 to over $70,000 annually, increasing slightly each year, with benefits like health insurance included. While they earn money, it's often seen as modest given the long hours, with compensation varying by location and specialty, notes the American Medical Association (AMA) and Medscape.
 

Is it possible to make 200K as a PA?

Yes, a Physician Assistant (PA) absolutely can make over $200k, especially in high-demand specialties like emergency medicine, surgery (cardiac, neuro), dermatology, or by working in locations with high cost of living or in specialized roles like telehealth, though it often requires experience and working in lucrative areas, with some reports indicating around 1 in 14 PAs reach this income level. 

What is the hardest doctor to become?

The Hardest Residency Specialties and What to Expect

• General Surgery. ...
• Neurosurgery. ...
• Orthopedic Surgery. ...
• Ophthalmology. ...
• Otolaryngology. ...
• Plastic Surgery. ...
• Urology. ...
• Interventional Radiology. In interventional radiology, applicants must match both a prelim spot and a PGY2 spot for IR.

Which doctor is best for the future?

15 highest-paying doctor jobs

• Psychiatrist. ...
• Obstetrics and gynecology physician. ...
• Pathologist. ...
• Internal medicine physician. ...
• Family medicine physician. ...
• Emergency medicine physician. ...
• Orthopedic surgeon. ...
• Radiologist.

What type of doctors is there a shortage of?

Primary care: This field, which includes general practitioners, family medicine doctors and internists, faces the highest demand. The shortage of primary care physicians is driven by an aging population, an increase in chronic diseases and a growing need for preventative care.

What state is #1 in healthcare?

There isn't one single "first" state, as rankings vary by the criteria used, but Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Minnesota consistently rank at the top for overall healthcare quality, access, affordability, and outcomes in recent reports from sources like the Commonwealth Fund and U.S. News & World Report. Hawaii often leads in quality and outcomes, while Massachusetts excels in affordability, coverage, and access, with other high performers including Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. 

What states are doctors moving to?

According to a 2022 survey by Medscape, the following cities are the top 10 destinations for doctors moving within the United States:

• Charlotte, North Carolina.
• Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Boise, Idaho.
• Austin, Texas.
• Boulder, Colorado.
• San Jose, California.
• Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• Sacramento, California.

What is the #1 med school in the US?

While rankings vary slightly by source and focus (research vs. primary care), Harvard Medical School consistently ranks #1 for research in most major lists like U.S. News, closely followed by Johns Hopkins and the University of Pennsylvania (Perelman), with other top contenders including UCSF, Stanford, and Columbia. These top schools are known for cutting-edge research, vast clinical opportunities, and highly selective admissions, making them leaders in medical education. 

What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?

The most prominent "$400,000 job without a college degree" discussed in recent news is a Walmart Supercenter Store Manager, where compensation can reach that level through a combination of increased base pay (around $128k average), significant bonuses (up to 200% of base), and annual stock grants (up to $20k) for top performers, making the role lucrative for those rising from hourly work. Other paths to high income without a degree include skilled trades, tech sales, and specialized roles like power plant operators, often achieved through skills-based training, certificates, or apprenticeships rather than a traditional four-year degree.
 

Which jobs make $500,000 a year?

Jobs paying $500k+ annually are typically in specialized fields like medicine (surgeons, anesthesiologists), high-level finance (investment banking, private equity), law (big law partners), senior tech roles (CTOs, VPs), executive management, and top-tier sales, often requiring advanced degrees, extensive experience, or significant risk/reward structures like commissions or ownership, though some skilled trades or specialized sales can reach this level. 

What is the hidden career that pays $300000?

This 'hidden' career path is in dire need of more workers—and it can pay Gen Z over $300,000 with no degree required. Aviation maintenance technicians can land Gen Z six-figure salaries—if they're willing to brave extreme weather, noisy tarmacs, and the smell of jet fumes.