Physician Salary in United States

Physician pay in United States: Washington DC leads, Los Angeles trails

The United States national median for a physician is $256,000 a year. Among 9 metros with observed data, pay runs from about $187,000 in Los Angeles to $362,000 in Washington DC (1.9×).

Physicians diagnose and treat illness, drawing on years of medical training and specialization. Common screening skills include Diagnosis, Treatment, Clinical judgment, and Ethics.

A modeled national band runs about $163,800–$368,600 around that midpoint. Many top cash roles in the United States still run through employer sponsorship and specialty licensing. Employment outlook for the occupation is sketched at +3% over a decade — a national demand guess, not a hiring guarantee in every American city.

Washington DC sits +41% vs the national median; Los Angeles sits -27%. Relocating inside United States for this title can move cash more than a small raise at the same desk. Open a city page for take-home and rent context — this national page is the map, not the offer.

United States shows about 2.9% CPI in 2024. A physician raise that trails inflation is a real-pay cut even if it still beats last year’s peers. This occupation is also covered in 39 other countries — useful for remote or relocation shortlists, after FX and local tax. Nearby healthcare titles on this site include Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Pharmacist, and Physical Therapist.