Which state is best for doctors in the USA?

There's no single "best" state, as it depends on a doctor's priorities (pay, work-life balance, legal environment), but Montana, Indiana, South Dakota, Iowa, and Utah consistently rank high for overall opportunity, combining good pay, lower costs, and supportive environments, while Minnesota shines for quality of life, academia (Mayo Clinic), and system support, with Texas, California, and Florida also strong for demand and specific perks like no state income tax.

What is the best state for doctors in the US?

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 state pays the best for doctors?

Highest Paying States for Physician Salaries

• Iowa: $464,000 a year.
• Arkansas: $462,000 a year.
• Minnesota: $444,000 a year.
• Arizona: $433,000 a year.
• Indiana: $420,000 a year.
• Wisconsin: $419,000 a year.
• Washington: $414,000 a year.
• New Jersey: $414,000 a year.

Which state pays doctors the most in the USA?

And here we are at number 1. Without further ado, the highest-paying city for doctors in the US is Rochester, Minnesota, where physicians average $496,000 per year.

Which US 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. 

Why US Healthcare Is So Broken

Which state has good doctors?

Here, we delve into why Tamil Nadu stands out as the best state for medical tourism and highlight some of its renowned hospitals. Tamil Nadu is home to some of the finest hospitals in the country, equipped with cutting-edge technology and modern amenities.

What US city has the best medical care?

The best medical cities in the U.S. consistently feature major academic centers and renowned hospital systems, with Boston often topping lists for its concentration of top-tier universities and hospitals (like Mass General, Brigham & Women's), alongside New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, while Rochester, MN (Mayo Clinic) and Cleveland, OH (Cleveland Clinic) are lauded for world-class specialized care, offering strong quality and innovation across different specialties and career opportunities. 

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.
 

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. ...

Where is the best place to live as a doctor?

1. Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis consistently ranks among the top cities for physicians, offering an attractive combination of competitive salaries and affordable living costs. The city's growing healthcare sector provides diverse opportunities across specialties.

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

Jobs paying $300k+ in the U.S. are concentrated in healthcare (physicians, surgeons, specialists), tech (software architects, senior roles), finance (investment banking, private equity), and executive leadership (CEOs, Directors), with significant earnings also found in high-stakes sales, specialized entertainment/VFX, and some skilled trades/entrepreneurship, often requiring advanced degrees or exceptional performance, though some non-degree roles (like top sales or skilled trades) can reach this level through experience and commission. 

Who 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.
 

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.

Which hospital is #1 in the US?

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is consistently ranked as the #1 hospital in the U.S. by leading publications like U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek, recognized for its extensive specialty care, patient outcomes, and being on the "Best Hospitals Honor Roll" for 2025-2026, leading across multiple specialties like Diabetes & Endocrinology and Gastroenterology. 

Where do most doctors prefer to settle?

Answer: There are several reasons why most doctors prefer to settle in urban areas: 1. Better infrastructure: Urban areas have well-equipped hospitals, medical facilities, and diagnostic centers, making it easier for doctors to practice medicine.

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 state has the lowest doctors?

Karnataka with the lowest Doctor-Patient ratio in South India is one among the worst states in the country when it comes to availability of Doctors in Government Clinics & Hospitals. This is the gift of CONgress which ruled Karnataka & India for decades.

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.

Who is the richest doctor in the USA?

Dr.

But Thomas Frist Jr. is wealthier than just about everybody after he and his dad founded HCA Healthcare, which owns 190 hospitals and thousands of other healthcare sites, in 1968. Thomas Frist Jr.

Who makes more money, a do or md?

While average data suggests MDs tend to earn slightly more, the biggest factor in physician income isn't the degree (MD vs. DO) but the specialty, experience, and location, with more DOs historically entering lower-paying primary care or rural areas, leading to overall lower average DO salaries, though MDs and DOs in the same specialty often earn comparable pay. 

What type of doctor gets a lot of money?

Neurosurgery consistently ranks as the highest-paying medical specialty, with neurosurgeons earning average salaries well over $700,000 annually, followed closely by other surgical fields like Thoracic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and Plastic Surgery, while Radiology, Cardiology, and Anesthesiology also command top earnings. These high salaries reflect extensive training, high demand, and the complexity of procedures, though exact figures vary by source and year.
 

What medical jobs pay $40 an hour?

Many medical jobs pay $40 an hour or more, including Registered Nurses (RNs), Dental Hygienists, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Radiation Therapists, Occupational Therapists (OTs), Physical Therapists (PTs), and MRI Technologists, often requiring associate or bachelor's degrees, with roles like PAs and NPs paying even more. Entry-level options with good pay potential include EMT/Paramedic roles, with faster training paths available in imaging and therapies.
 

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as different studies rank states differently, but Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Jersey frequently appear at the top for quality of life, with Vermont leading in CNBC's metrics (health, environment, inclusion), Massachusetts in WalletHub's overall rankings (healthcare, education), and New Jersey praised for safety and health. States like Minnesota, Idaho, and Utah also consistently rank high, emphasizing factors like strong economies, environments, and community well-being. 

What is the #1 hospital in the world?

According to major publications like Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report, the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota) consistently ranks as the number one hospital in the world, holding this top spot for multiple years, recognized for its exceptional patient care, quality, safety, and innovation in healthcare. Other top-ranked hospitals often appearing include the Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins Hospital.