Physician: Salary, Job Outlook and Education by Specialty
BLS does not publish a single physician occupation. It reports physicians by specialty, so this page compares the official specialty categories side by side. Across the 13 official occupations below, BLS counts about 754,780 workers. National median annual wages range from $210,040 to $496,010 (May 2025).
| Occupation | Median wage | Employment | Change 2025 to 2035 | Typical entry education | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiologists SOC 29-1212 | $496,010 | 17,290 | +4.8% | Doctoral or professional degree | |
| Radiologists SOC 29-1224 | $420,860 | 26,770 | +3.4% | Doctoral or professional degree | |
| Anesthesiologists SOC 29-1211 | $391,490 | 38,760 | +3.6% | Doctoral or professional degree | |
| Emergency medicine physicians SOC 29-1214 | $335,550 | 32,880 | +3.2% | Doctoral or professional degree | |
| Dermatologists SOC 29-1213 | $328,730 | 11,370 | +6.8% | Doctoral or professional degree | |
| Physicians, pathologists SOC 29-1222 | $312,400 | 11,110 | +4.8% | Doctoral or professional degree | |
| Obstetricians and gynecologists SOC 29-1218 | $292,910 | 21,260 | +1.7% | Doctoral or professional degree | |
| Psychiatrists SOC 29-1223 | $281,870 | 27,980 | +7.2% | Doctoral or professional degree | |
| Physicians, all other SOC 29-1229 | $265,930 | 342,720 | +3.4% | Doctoral or professional degree | |
| General internal medicine physicians SOC 29-1216 | $256,560 | 67,150 | +4.0% | Doctoral or professional degree | |
| Neurologists SOC 29-1217 | $248,560 | 10,590 | +6.4% | Doctoral or professional degree | |
| Family medicine physicians SOC 29-1215 | $244,180 | 107,510 | +3.3% | Doctoral or professional degree | |
| Pediatricians, general SOC 29-1221 | $210,040 | 39,390 | +1.5% | Doctoral or professional degree |
Compare the top five side by side
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.