Name: Doctor Salary Rankings 💰 Highest to Lowest Paid in 2025
Uploaded: 2025-10-18T17:57:16.000Z
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Two doctors, both with the same MD after their name.

Yet a four year difference in training results in a salary gap of over half a million dollars annually.

Jubbal Medschoolinsiders.com Today we're ranking 34 medical specialties by compensation, counting down from the lowest paid to the highest paid Doctors in the U.S.

Medical genetics starts us off at $260,000.

These physicians require just three years of residency, the shortest training period in medicine.

They diagnose and manage genetic disorders, working closely with families to understand inherited conditions.

Endocrinologists earn $291,000 treating diabetes and hormonal disorders after completing a three year internal medicine residency and a two to three year endocrinology fellowship.

Geriatricians earn $292,000 and specialize in treating the elderly after three years of either an internal medicine or family medicine residency or followed by a one year geriatric medicine fellowship.

Despite our rapidly aging population, this specialty faces challenges with low reimbursement rates and complex patient care needs that require more time per visit.

Medpeats physicians earn $297,000 after four years of combined residency training.

Treating both kids and adults in settings that range from pediatric clinics to adult hospitals may be versatile, but

the pay reflects the broad, less specialized nature of the approach.

We excluded pediatric subspecialties from this ranking because they consistently earn significantly less than their adult counterparts.

For example, regular gastroenterologists earn 80% more than pediatric gastroenterologists.

Pediatric specialists may also require more training than doctors who treat adults, as is the case in child neurology, child psychiatry, and

Yet they earn significantly less due to lower insurance reimbursements for children.

Allergy and immunology specialists average $309,000 after three years of internal medicine or pediatrics residency and two to three years of fellowship training.

These doctors treat everything from seasonal allergies to complex immunodeficiencies, often maintaining both adult and pediatric practices.

Preventive medicine physicians make $310,000 after three years of residency.

They focus on population health rather than individual patients, often working in public health departments or corporate wellness programs.

Family medicine hits $319,000 and requires three years of residency.

Despite being the backbone of health care and treating patients of all ages, compensation remains relatively low and the physician shortage in primary care continues to worsen.

Noticing a pattern, the three year residencies cluster at the bottom, while longer training programs dominate the top, exemplifying the clear correl between training length and earning potential Infectious disease specialists make $321,000.

These physicians require three years of IM residency followed by two years of fellowship.

Even after gaining recognition during the pandemic for their expertise in complex infections and antimicrobial resistance, compensation remains relatively modest by physician standards.

Rheumatologists earn $325,000 and treat autoimmune and inflammatory conditions like lupus and and rheumatoid arthritis.

It requires a three year internal medicine residency followed by a two year rheumatology fellowship.

Internal medicine averages $326,000 after three years of residency, but

note that this is for those who stay in general practice.

Many IM physicians subspecialize, although the salary boost isn't guaranteed.

For example, endocrinology pays $21,000 less than regular IM despite additional fellowship training.

More training doesn't automatically mean higher compensation, which especially true of pediatric subspecialties, many of which make less than general pediatricians.

Psychiatrists earn $342,000 after four years of residency.

Despite the growing mental health crisis and increasing demand for psychiatric services, compensation remains in the middle tier.

Many supplement their income through private practice and cash pay models.

And here's where the compensation gaps really begin to show.

Neurologists make $361,000 after four years of residency treating disorders of the brain and nervous system.

Nephrologists average $367,000 and focus on the kidneys.

With increasing chronic kidney disease and diabetes prevalence, these specialists are in high demand, particularly for dialysis and transplant care.

Pathologists earn $370,000 after four years of residency.

They work behind the scenes examining tissues and lab specimens.

While they have minimal patient interaction, their work is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

PM and r physicians earn $375,000 after completing four years of residency, focusing on restoring the function and quality of life for their patients.

This specialty has recently experienced a surge in competitiveness from being the second least competitive of 22 specialties in 2020, only ranking above family medicine, to ranking 4 14th most competitive in 2024.

OB GYNs make $390,000 after four years of residency.

They provide comprehensive women's health care, from routine care to delivering babies and performing surgery.

High malpractice liability risks are factored into compensation packages.

Emergency medicine hits $411,000 after three to four years of residency.

The demanding shift work, which includes nights, weekends and holidays, combined with the immediate life saving nature of the job drives this higher compensation.

Pulmonologists earn $426,000 after three years of internal medicine residency.

These specialists complete a three year combined pulmonology and critical care fellowship.

Pulmonologists specialize in treating respiratory diseases and often work in critical care settings with conditions like COPD and lung cancer requiring specialized care.

They command higher compensation than many other internal medicine subspecialt ophthalmologists make $477,000 after four years of residency, treating diseases of the eye and performing surgeries like cataract removal.

This specialty is known for its excellent work life balance combined with strong compensation.

General surgeons earn $483,000 after five years of residency like internal medicine does for non surgical subspecialties.

General surgery serves as the foundation for many surgical subspecialties.

The significant pay jump is due to the fact that surgical specialties are of course more procedural than non surgical specialties and procedures pay more Medical oncologists earn $502,000 after three years of internal medicine residency and a three year hematology oncology fellowship.

They treat cancer patients with chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Dermatologists average $508,000 after four years of residency, which represents the best of both worlds, high pay and exceptional work.

Life balance Most work regular business hours and deal with minimal emergency call.

This lifestyle appeal makes it fiercely competitive with a 70% match rate and an average step two score of 257, which is currently tied with orthopedic surgery for the highest among all specialties.

Wondering how your stats stack up for competitive specialties?

By comparing your metrics against the official data of matched applicants, specialtypredictor.com shows you exactly where you stand.

It accurately predicts your odds of matching into any given medical specialty.

The advanced algorithm will even identify your relative weaknesses compared to the average person in that specialty, providing personal insights that will help you prepare before it's too late.

See how your stats stack up for the specialties you're most interested in.

And it's not just for med students approaching residency applications.

The algorithm converts pre med stats to help you understand if you're on the right track.

Check it out completely free@specialtypredictor.com to see how competitive you really are.

Anesthesiologists earn $523,000 after four years of residency.

They ensure patient safety during surgery and manage pain, working behind the scenes and playing a critical role in every surgical procedure.

For more on the highest earners, check out our previous video linked in the description.

Ent surgeons average $523,000 after five years of residency, treating conditions of the ears nose, throat and related structures.

ENT offers diverse practice opportunities from pediatric cases to complex head and neck cancer surgeries.

We're now in the top 10, where compensation accelerates dramatically and training becomes increasingly intensive.

Gastroenterologists earn $538,000 after completing three years of internal medicine residency and three years of fellowship training.

They treat digestive system disorders and procedures like colonoscopies and endoscopies significantly boost earning potential.

Urologists make $559,000 after five years of residency, treating conditions of the urinary tract and male reproductive system.

Unique among surgical subspecialties, urology offers greater flexibility between clinic and operating room practice.

Radiologists earn $572,000 after five years of residency.

They interpret imaging studies like X rays, CT scans and MRIs.

Many enjoy flexible schedules and remote work options, striking a happy medium between a solid work life balance and great compensation.

Vascular surgeons earn $576,000 after either five years of general surgery residency and two years of vascular surgery fellowship or a five to seven year integrated vascular surgery residency.

Vascular surgeons treat diseases of blood vessels throughout the body, handling complex like aortic aneurysms and peripheral artery disease.

Cardiologists earn $587,000 after three years of internal medicine residency and a three year cardiology fellowship.

It's the most competitive and highest paying of all internal medicine fellowships.

Cardiologists treat diseases of the heart and vascular system such as heart failure, hypertension and heart attacks.

Radiation oncologists make $589,000 after five years of residency and treating cancer patients with targeted radiation therapy.

Now we're in the top four, the specialties that represent the pinnacle of physician compensation.

Notice how training length continues to increase as we reach the top, reflecting the complexity and precision required in these fields.

Plastic surgeons average $621,000 after either a six year integrated plastic surgery residency or five years of general surgery followed by three years of independent plastic surgery residency.

These surgeons perform both reconstructive and aesthetic procedures with many supplementing income through cash pay.

Cosmetic PROCEDURES orthopedic surgeons earn $680,000 after five years of residency training.

They treat musculoskeletal conditions from sport injuries to joint replacements.

Thoracic surgeons earn $690,000 after completing either an integrated six year residency or a five year general surgery residency followed by a two to three year cardiothoracic fellowship.

These surgeons perform complex surgeries heart, lungs and chest organs procedures that are among the most technically demanding in medicine, often carrying life or death stakes Neurosurgeons top the list at $769,000 after seven years of residency, the longest in medicine.

They perform surgery on the brain, spine and nervous system, often in emergencies where every second counts.