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)
$196,312
Alaska
Take-Home TX
$181,869
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):
$56,668
Training phase, supervised practice
Fellow
$78,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$63,703
Subspecialty training
Attending (Early Career)
$220,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$163,487
First 1–5 years post-training
Experienced Attending
$280,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$202,647
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 | $196,312 | |
| $268,000 | $194,999 | |
| $275,000 | $183,396 | |
| $248,000 | $181,869 | |
| $265,000 | $180,000 | |
| $245,000 | $179,900 | |
| $245,000 | $179,900 | |
| $265,000 | $177,620 | |
| $250,000 | $175,507 | |
| $238,000 | $175,304 | |
| $235,000 | $173,335 | |
12Ohio | $242,000 | $171,710 |
13Arizona | $240,000 | $171,020 |
14Illinois | $250,000 | $170,952 |
15Virginia | $252,000 | $170,766 |
| $255,000 | $170,630 | |
| $248,000 | $170,032 | |
18Colorado | $245,000 | $169,828 |
19Michigan | $245,000 | $169,738 |
| $242,000 | $168,783 | |
| $228,000 | $168,739 | |
22Maryland | $255,000 | $167,948 |
| $252,000 | $166,875 | |
| $230,000 | $166,848 | |
| $225,000 | $166,770 | |
26Indiana | $235,000 | $166,432 |
| $260,000 | $166,408 | |
| $242,000 | $165,708 | |
| $232,000 | $164,780 | |
30Utah | $238,000 | $164,713 |
31Georgia | $238,000 | $164,176 |
32Missouri | $235,000 | $163,227 |
33Delaware | $240,000 | $162,118 |
| $235,000 | $162,057 | |
35Nebraska | $232,000 | $161,513 |
36Iowa | $228,000 | $160,687 |
37Vermont | $238,000 | $160,600 |
38Oregon | $248,000 | $159,361 |
39Oklahoma | $228,000 | $159,025 |
40Kentucky | $225,000 | $159,012 |
41Idaho | $230,000 | $158,970 |
| $228,000 | $158,879 | |
43Alabama | $225,000 | $157,925 |
44Montana | $228,000 | $157,218 |
45Kansas | $228,000 | $156,816 |
46Hawaii | $235,000 | $155,974 |
47Arkansas | $220,000 | $155,518 |
| $220,000 | $154,779 | |
| $220,000 | $154,300 | |
50Maine | $228,000 | $152,957 |
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
$157,925
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$196,312
net
Arizona
$171,020
net
Arkansas
$155,518
net
California
$166,408
net
Colorado
$169,828
net
Connecticut
$170,630
net
Delaware
$162,118
net
FloridaNo state tax
$173,335
net
Georgia
$164,176
net
Hawaii
$155,974
net
Idaho
$158,970
net
Illinois
$170,952
net
Indiana
$166,432
net
Iowa
$160,687
net
Kansas
$156,816
net
Kentucky
$159,012
net
Louisiana
$164,780
net
Maine
$152,957
net
Maryland
$167,948
net
Massachusetts
$180,000
net
Michigan
$169,738
net
Minnesota
$166,875
net
Mississippi
$154,779
net
Missouri
$163,227
net
Montana
$157,218
net
Nebraska
$161,513
net
NevadaNo state tax
$179,900
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$179,900
net
New Jersey
$177,620
net
New Mexico
$158,879
net
New York
$183,396
net
North Carolina
$168,783
net
North Dakota
$166,848
net
Ohio
$171,710
net
Oklahoma
$159,025
net
Oregon
$159,361
net
Pennsylvania
$175,507
net
Rhode Island
$170,032
net
South Carolina
$162,057
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$166,770
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$175,304
net
TexasNo state tax
$181,869
net
Utah
$164,713
net
Vermont
$160,600
net
Virginia
$170,766
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$194,999
net
West Virginia
$154,300
net
Wisconsin
$165,708
net
WyomingNo state tax
$168,739
net