Doctor Salary in the US in 2025: The doctor salary in the US in 2025 is still one of the highest in the world, making it a dream job for many medical professionals. The high pay and good career growth keep attracting new doctors every year. It is a profession that not only offers respect but also financial stability for a long time.
Here, we explain doctor salaries in the US for 2025 in a very simple way. You will learn how much doctors earn in different specializations, sectors, and degree levels. It also covers monthly pay, salary differences between male and female doctors, and the top recruiters in the US healthcare industry. Whether you are a pharmacy student or a medical aspirant, this information will help you understand the earning potential.
In 2025, the average doctor salary in the US is estimated to range between $230,000 and $250,000 annually. According to multiple reports, including Medscape and Resolve, the average annual compensation for physicians stands around $377,000, with variations depending on specialization, experience, and location.
Entry-level doctors with an MBBS or MD degree start around $165,000 to $185,000 per year, while specialists and surgeons can earn upwards of $400,000. The monthly salary for doctors averages about $19,000 to $20,800, depending on their field. The healthcare sector continues to grow, with a projected 3% job growth rate and a 4.5% salary increase expected by 2033.
In the US, doctor salaries in 2025 vary by specialization. Specialists like neurosurgeons earn the most due to advanced skills, while general doctors earn less but still make high incomes. Here are some key figures for 2025:
Doctor Salary in the US in 2025 For Different Specializations |
|
Specialization |
Average Annual Salary |
Neurosurgeon |
$763,000 to $1,000,000+ |
Thoracic Surgeon |
$720,000 |
Orthopedic Surgeon |
$650,000+ |
Plastic Surgeon |
$570,000 |
Cardiologist |
$500,000 to $700,000 |
General Surgeon |
$400,000 to $500,000 |
Internal Medicine |
$230,000 to $320,000 |
Family Medicine |
~$239,000 |
Resident Doctors |
$60,000 to $75,000 |
Neurosurgeons and other specialist surgeons earn the highest pay because of their tough training and special skills, while general doctors earn less but still get good salaries.
Doctor salaries differ by sector, with public and private sector roles reflecting different pay scales:
Private Sector: Typically offers salaries slightly lower (around 15.75% less) than the public sector, but may have performance bonuses.
Public Sector: Generally offers higher base pay along with benefits and job security.
Self-Employed Physicians: Tend to earn more than employed physicians, with averages around $374,000 per year versus $344,000 for employed doctors.
Hospital Employment: Salaries vary widely depending on hospital size, location, and specialty demand.
Doctor salary in the US changes with the degree; higher degrees and specializations usually mean higher pay. Doctor salaries also depend on the degree level, as mentioned below:
MBBS Degree Holders: Starting salaries range from $165,000 to $185,000 annually.
MD Degree Holders: Can earn between $185,000 and $270,000.
MS Graduates: Earn starting from $250,000 per year.
Doctorate Degree Holders: Can earn up to $290,000 or more, depending on specialization and experience.
Advanced degrees with specialization significantly enhance earning potential.
Doctors in the US earn different amounts depending on their job and experience. Usually, they get between $15,000 and $40,000 per month. Some examples:
Neurosurgeons can earn more than $80,000 per month.
Plastic surgeons earn about $47,000 to $55,000 per month.
General doctors and family doctors earn around $20,000 per month.
Resident doctors (training doctors) earn $5,000 to $6,000 per month.
Knowing these numbers helps doctors plan their money better.
There remains a notable gender pay gap in the US medical profession:
Women doctors earn about 15–20% less than men.
On average, female doctors make around $327,000 a year, while male doctors make about $415,000.
This gap changes depending on the specialty; in some areas, it can be more than 20–30%.
Even when you compare doctors with the same experience, location, and job type, the gap is still there.
Efforts are ongoing to close this gap, with some specialties reducing differences to under 10%.
In different states and workplaces, female doctors still get paid less than male doctors, which changes their average salary.
Several healthcare recruitment firms and top hospitals act as primary recruiters for doctors in the US. These include:
AMN Healthcare
Aya Healthcare
Cross Country Healthcare
MSH Healthcare
CHG Healthcare
Hospitals and healthcare systems in major metro areas like Houston, New York, and Texas also consistently recruit for high-paying physician roles.