Physician Salary 2026 — Take-Home Pay by State
Physicians diagnose and treat illnesses, injuries, and other health conditions. They work in hospitals, private practices, clinics, and research institutions across all medical specialties.
National Median
$248,000
Best State (Net)
$196,590
Alaska
Take-Home TX
$181,949
No state tax
Job Growth
4%
Key Facts — Physician 2026
Highest-paid profession in the US — median $248,000+ for general surgeons
Medical school debt averages $200,000; loan forgiveness programs exist
Rural and underserved areas offer signing bonuses of $50,000–$150,000
Many states have physician shortages, especially in primary care
Additional Medicare tax (3.8%) applies at physician income levels
Salary by Experience Level
Resident (PGY1–3)
$68,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$56,426
Training phase, supervised practice
Fellow
$78,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$63,461
Subspecialty training
Attending (Early Career)
$220,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$163,315
First 1–5 years post-training
Experienced Attending
$280,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$202,982
5+ years, partnership potential
Specialties & Salary Premiums
| Specialty | Est. Salary | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Orthopedic Surgery | $438,960 | +77% |
| Cardiology | $389,360 | +57% |
| Radiology | $379,440 | +53% |
| Anesthesiology | $357,120 | +44% |
| Emergency Medicine | $292,640 | +18% |
| Family Medicine | $218,240 | -12% |
Best States for Physicians — Real Take-Home Pay
Ranked by estimated take-home pay (single filer, no additional deductions). The highest gross salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
▲Top 5 — Highest Take-Home
Physician Salary by State — All 50 States
Take-home estimates for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Gross Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $270,000 | $196,590 | |
| $268,000 | $195,259 | |
| $275,000 | $181,994 | |
| $248,000 | $181,949 | |
| $265,000 | $180,763 | |
| $245,000 | $179,953 | |
| $245,000 | $179,953 | |
| $265,000 | $177,338 | |
| $250,000 | $176,066 | |
| $238,000 | $175,294 | |
11Maryland | $255,000 | $175,208 |
| $255,000 | $174,608 | |
| $235,000 | $173,298 | |
| $248,000 | $172,629 | |
15Illinois | $250,000 | $171,648 |
16Arizona | $240,000 | $171,000 |
17Virginia | $252,000 | $170,984 |
18Michigan | $245,000 | $170,178 |
19Ohio | $242,000 | $170,011 |
20Colorado | $245,000 | $169,833 |
| $228,000 | $168,639 | |
| $242,000 | $167,174 | |
| $260,000 | $167,150 | |
| $225,000 | $166,643 | |
25Indiana | $235,000 | $166,368 |
| $242,000 | $165,925 | |
27Utah | $238,000 | $165,148 |
| $230,000 | $164,595 | |
29Delaware | $240,000 | $164,250 |
30Georgia | $238,000 | $163,051 |
31Missouri | $235,000 | $162,408 |
| $232,000 | $162,079 | |
| $252,000 | $161,267 | |
| $228,000 | $159,906 | |
| $235,000 | $159,218 | |
36Oregon | $248,000 | $158,882 |
37Nebraska | $232,000 | $158,628 |
38Oklahoma | $228,000 | $158,522 |
39Vermont | $238,000 | $158,346 |
40Alabama | $225,000 | $158,243 |
41Kansas | $228,000 | $157,989 |
42Idaho | $230,000 | $157,500 |
43Kentucky | $225,000 | $157,193 |
44Iowa | $228,000 | $156,498 |
45Montana | $228,000 | $156,072 |
| $220,000 | $155,115 | |
47Arkansas | $220,000 | $154,295 |
| $220,000 | $154,090 | |
49Hawaii | $235,000 | $153,498 |
50Maine | $228,000 | $153,410 |
Maximize Your Take-Home
401(k) — $24,500 max
Reduces taxable income dollar-for-dollar
HSA — $4,400 single
Triple tax advantage — deductible, grows tax-free, tax-free withdrawals
FSA — $3,300 max
Medical expenses with pre-tax dollars
State consideration
Moving to TX, FL, WA can save $5,000–$15,000/year in taxes
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home as a Physician
Add 401(k), HSA, dependents, and more to see your personalized take-home in your state.
Open Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about your taxes and our calculator.
Physician Salary by State — Detailed Pages
Alabama
$158,243
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$196,590
net
Arizona
$171,000
net
Arkansas
$154,295
net
California
$167,150
net
Colorado
$169,833
net
Connecticut
$174,608
net
Delaware
$164,250
net
FloridaNo state tax
$173,298
net
Georgia
$163,051
net
Hawaii
$153,498
net
Idaho
$157,500
net
Illinois
$171,648
net
Indiana
$166,368
net
Iowa
$156,498
net
Kansas
$157,989
net
Kentucky
$157,193
net
Louisiana
$162,079
net
Maine
$153,410
net
Maryland
$175,208
net
Massachusetts
$180,763
net
Michigan
$170,178
net
Minnesota
$161,267
net
Mississippi
$155,115
net
Missouri
$162,408
net
Montana
$156,072
net
Nebraska
$158,628
net
NevadaNo state tax
$179,953
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$179,953
net
New Jersey
$177,338
net
New Mexico
$159,906
net
New York
$181,994
net
North Carolina
$167,174
net
North Dakota
$164,595
net
Ohio
$170,011
net
Oklahoma
$158,522
net
Oregon
$158,882
net
Pennsylvania
$176,066
net
Rhode Island
$172,629
net
South Carolina
$159,218
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$166,643
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$175,294
net
TexasNo state tax
$181,949
net
Utah
$165,148
net
Vermont
$158,346
net
Virginia
$170,984
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$195,259
net
West Virginia
$154,090
net
Wisconsin
$165,925
net
WyomingNo state tax
$168,639
net