Ranked list · 48 careers
The 48 Highest-Paying Doctor Specialties (2026)
Congenital Heart Surgeon tops this list at $559,030 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with +2.0% projected employment change over 2025–2035. Below are 48 careers that meet the criteria, each with its real median wage, outlook and entry requirement.
- Careers on this list
- 48From 1,731 in the bank
- Median pay on the list
- $409,430BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Projected to grow
- 48 of 48BLS EP, 2025–2035
- Openings a year
- 105,900Combined, BLS EP
Method
How we built this list
Physician and surgeon specialties ranked by typical pay. BLS publishes medians for about twenty physician codes; the subspecialties it counts together (neurosurgery, interventional cardiology, Mohs surgery and others) use the specialty compensation surveys cited on each page. BLS stops short here: it folds most of these careers into broad codes (a neurosurgeon is counted with every other physician), so where a career carries industry-reported pay from a named survey, scale or filing (Medscape, MGMA, Levels.fyi, AmLaw, union contracts and similar), that figure is used and its source is on the career page. Everything else is BLS OEWS.
- Physician and surgeon specialties ranked by typical pay. BLS publishes medians for about twenty physician codes; the subspecialties it counts together (neurosurgery, interventional cardiology, Mohs surgery and others) use the specialty compensation surveys cited on each page. BLS stops short here: it folds most of these careers into broad codes (a neurosurgeon is counted with every other physician), so where a career carries industry-reported pay from a named survey, scale or filing (Medscape, MGMA, Levels.fyi, AmLaw, union contracts and similar), that figure is used and its source is on the career page. Everything else is BLS OEWS.
- Occupations with no BLS wage or projection data are excluded rather than estimated.
- The list is regenerated from source data on every bank refresh. It is not hand-picked and no editorial ranking is applied.
The list
The top 48 highest-paying doctors
100% of these careers already have a full profile page; the rest publish with the next tranche and show the same bank data here in the meantime.
- 1
1. Congenital Heart Surgeon
Specialty within pediatric surgeon
- Median pay
- $1,060,000typical, Society of Thoracic Surgeons Compensation Survey 2025 (reported by TCTMD)
- Growth
- +2.0%
- Openings / yr
- 0
- Education
- Doctorate
Heart surgeon who repairs heart defects present from birth, operating on newborns, children and adults with congenital heart disease.
- 2
2. Cardiac Electrophysiologist
Specialty within cardiologist
- Median pay
- $804,129typical, MedAxiom 2025 Cardiovascular Provider Compensation and Production Survey
- Growth
- +4.8%
- Openings / yr
- 500
- Education
- Doctorate
Cardiologist who diagnoses and treats heart rhythm disorders, performing ablations and implanting pacemakers and defibrillators.
- 3
3. Interventional Cardiologist
Specialty within cardiologist
- Median pay
- $788,083typical, MedAxiom 2025 Cardiovascular Provider Compensation and Production Survey
- Growth
- +4.8%
- Openings / yr
- 500
- Education
- Doctorate
Cardiologist who treats heart and vascular disease with catheter-based procedures such as coronary stenting, heart attack intervention and valve replacement.
- 4
4. Neurosurgeon
Specialty within orthopedic surgeon, except pediatric
- Median pay
- $749,140typical, Doximity Physician Compensation Report 2025
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 400
- Education
- Doctorate
Surgeon who diagnoses and operates on the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and spine, from tumors and aneurysms to trauma and degenerative disease.
- 5
5. Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Specialty within orthopedic surgeon, except pediatric
- Median pay
- $689,969typical, Doximity Physician Compensation Report 2025
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 400
- Education
- Doctorate
Surgeon who operates on the heart, lungs, esophagus and great vessels, including bypass, valve repair, lung cancer resection and transplant.
- 6
6. Mohs Surgeon
Specialty within dermatologist
- Median pay
- $680,000typical, SalaryDr Mohs surgery compensation data; MGMA 2023 (as cited by Physicians Thrive)
- Growth
- +6.8%
- Openings / yr
- 400
- Education
- Doctorate
Dermatologist who removes skin cancers with Mohs surgery, examining every edge of the tissue under a microscope during the procedure, then repairs the wound.
- 7
7. Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Specialty within orthopedic surgeon, except pediatric
- Median pay
- $611,000typical, Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2026
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 400
- Education
- Doctorate
Orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the spine, treating disc disease, stenosis, deformity, fractures and tumors of the neck and back.
- 8
8. Radiation Oncologist
Specialty within radiologist
- Median pay
- $588,678typical, Doximity Physician Compensation Report 2025
- Growth
- +3.4%
- Openings / yr
- 700
- Education
- Doctorate
Physician who treats cancer with radiation therapy, designing and overseeing courses of external beam radiation, brachytherapy and radiosurgery.
- 9
9. Vascular Surgeon
Specialty within orthopedic surgeon, except pediatric
- Median pay
- $576,452typical, Doximity Physician Compensation Report 2025
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 400
- Education
- Doctorate
Surgeon who treats diseases of the arteries and veins outside the heart and brain, using open operations and catheter-based endovascular procedures.
- 10
10. Pediatric Surgeon
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $559,030median a year
- Growth
- +2.0%
- Openings / yr
- 0
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat fetal abnormalities and birth defects, diseases, and injuries in fetuses, premature and newborn infants, children, and adolescents.
- 11
11. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Specialty within orthopedic surgeon, except pediatric
- Median pay
- $554,000typical, Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2026
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 400
- Education
- Doctorate
Surgeon who restores form and function after cancer, injury or birth defects, and performs cosmetic surgery on the face, breast and body.
- 12
12. Interventional Gastroenterologist
Specialty within general internal medicine physician
- Median pay
- $530,000typical, Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2026
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 1,900
- Education
- Doctorate
Gastroenterologist with advanced endoscopy training who treats bile duct, pancreas and digestive tract disease through scopes instead of open surgery.
- 13
13. Pediatric Anesthesiologist
Specialty within anesthesiologist
- Median pay
- $525,500typical, SullivanCotter 2025 Physician Compensation and Productivity Survey
- Growth
- +3.6%
- Openings / yr
- 1,100
- Education
- Doctorate
Anesthesiologist who specializes in anesthesia, sedation and pain control for newborns, infants and children having surgery and procedures.
- 14
14. Otolaryngologist
Specialty within orthopedic surgeon, except pediatric
- Median pay
- $508,000typical, Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2026
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 400
- Education
- Doctorate
Physician and surgeon who treats disorders of the ear, nose, sinuses, throat, voice box and head and neck, from hearing loss to cancer.
- 15
15. Cardiologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $496,010median a year
- Growth
- +4.8%
- Openings / yr
- 500
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose, treat, manage, and prevent diseases or conditions of the cardiovascular system.
- 16
16. Colorectal Surgeon
Specialty within orthopedic surgeon, except pediatric
- Median pay
- $487,085typical, Doximity Physician Compensation Report 2025
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 400
- Education
- Doctorate
Surgeon who treats diseases of the colon, rectum and anus, including colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and pelvic floor disorders.
- 17
17. Hematologist-Oncologist
Specialty within general internal medicine physician
- Median pay
- $464,000typical, Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2026
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 1,900
- Education
- Doctorate
Internal medicine physician who diagnoses and treats cancer and blood disorders with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted drugs and transfusion medicine.
- 18
18. Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist
Specialty within obstetrician and gynecologist
- Median pay
- $462,510typical, Payscale maternal-fetal medicine specialist data; SalaryDr
- Growth
- +1.7%
- Openings / yr
- 500
- Education
- Doctorate
Obstetrician who cares for high-risk pregnancies, managing maternal illness and diagnosing and treating problems in the fetus before birth.
- 19
19. Reproductive Endocrinologist
Specialty within obstetrician and gynecologist
- Median pay
- $461,997typical, MGMA Compensation and Production Report 2021 (as cited by Physicians Thrive)
- Growth
- +1.7%
- Openings / yr
- 500
- Education
- Doctorate
Obstetrician-gynecologist who diagnoses and treats infertility and reproductive hormone disorders, including IVF, egg freezing and recurrent pregnancy loss.
- 20
20. Retina Specialist
Specialty within ophthalmologist, except pediatric
- Median pay
- $446,000typical, Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2026
- Growth
- +4.5%
- Openings / yr
- 200
- Education
- Doctorate
Ophthalmologist who diagnoses and treats diseases of the retina and vitreous, such as macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and retinal detachment.
- 21
21. Gynecologic Oncologist
Specialty within obstetrician and gynecologist
- Median pay
- $445,000typical, SalaryDr gynecologic oncology data; Society of Gynecologic Oncology member survey (reported by Healio)
- Growth
- +1.7%
- Openings / yr
- 500
- Education
- Doctorate
Obstetrician-gynecologist who diagnoses and treats cancers of the ovaries, uterus, cervix, vulva and vagina with surgery and chemotherapy.
- 22
22. Trauma Surgeon
Specialty within orthopedic surgeon, except pediatric
- Median pay
- $442,000typical, Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2026
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 400
- Education
- Doctorate
Surgeon who treats severely injured patients and surgical emergencies, leading resuscitation in the trauma bay and caring for patients in surgical intensive care.
- 23
23. Critical Care Physician
Specialty within hospitalist
- Median pay
- $427,000typical, Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2026
- Growth
- +3.4%
- Openings / yr
- 9,400
- Education
- Doctorate
Physician who leads care for the sickest patients in the intensive care unit, managing ventilators, shock, sepsis and multiple organ failure.
- 24
24. Radiologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $420,860median a year
- Growth
- +3.4%
- Openings / yr
- 700
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose and treat diseases and injuries using medical imaging techniques, such as x rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and ultrasounds.
- 25
25. Surgical Oncologist
Specialty within orthopedic surgeon, except pediatric
- Median pay
- $398,000typical, SalaryExpert surgical oncologist salary data 2025
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 400
- Education
- Doctorate
General surgeon with advanced training in removing cancers of the abdomen, skin, soft tissue and breast, often as part of multidisciplinary cancer care.
- 26
26. Pulmonologist
Specialty within general internal medicine physician
- Median pay
- $395,000typical, Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2026
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 1,900
- Education
- Doctorate
Internal medicine physician who diagnoses and treats lung and breathing disorders such as asthma, COPD, lung nodules, interstitial lung disease and sleep apnea.
- 27
27. Anesthesiologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $391,490median a year
- Growth
- +3.6%
- Openings / yr
- 1,100
- Education
- Doctorate
Administer anesthetics and analgesics for pain management prior to, during, or after surgery.
- 28
28. Neonatologist
Specialty within pediatrician, general
- Median pay
- $381,630typical, AMGA Medical Group Compensation Survey 2025 (via Marit Health); SalaryDr
- Growth
- +1.5%
- Openings / yr
- 1,000
- Education
- Doctorate
Pediatrician who cares for premature and critically ill newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit.
- 29
29. Nephrologist
Specialty within general internal medicine physician
- Median pay
- $359,000typical, Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2026
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 1,900
- Education
- Doctorate
Internal medicine physician who treats kidney disease, high blood pressure and electrolyte disorders, and oversees dialysis and kidney transplant care.
- 30
30. Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $358,550median a year
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 400
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.
- 31
31. Emergency Medicine Physician
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $335,550median a year
- Growth
- +3.2%
- Openings / yr
- 900
- Education
- Doctorate
Make immediate medical decisions and act to prevent death or further disability.
- 32
32. Dermatologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $328,730median a year
- Growth
- +6.8%
- Openings / yr
- 400
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose and treat diseases relating to the skin, hair, and nails.
- 33
33. Pathologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $312,400median a year
- Growth
- +4.8%
- Openings / yr
- 300
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids.
- 34
34. Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $300,080median a year
- Growth
- +4.5%
- Openings / yr
- 200
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and help prevent disorders and diseases of the eye.
- 35
35. Pediatric Gastroenterologist
Specialty within pediatrician, general
- Median pay
- $298,457typical, Doximity Physician Compensation Report 2025
- Growth
- +1.5%
- Openings / yr
- 1,000
- Education
- Doctorate
Pediatrician who diagnoses and treats digestive, liver and nutrition problems in children, from reflux and celiac disease to inflammatory bowel disease.
- 36
36. Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $292,910median a year
- Growth
- +1.7%
- Openings / yr
- 500
- Education
- Doctorate
Provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth.
- 37
37. Endocrinologist
Specialty within general internal medicine physician
- Median pay
- $284,000typical, Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2026
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 1,900
- Education
- Doctorate
Internal medicine physician who treats hormone disorders, including diabetes, thyroid disease, osteoporosis, and pituitary and adrenal conditions.
- 38
38. Rheumatologist
Specialty within general internal medicine physician
- Median pay
- $284,000typical, Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2026
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 1,900
- Education
- Doctorate
Internal medicine physician who diagnoses and treats arthritis and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout and vasculitis.
- 39
39. Infectious Disease Physician
Specialty within general internal medicine physician
- Median pay
- $282,000typical, Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2026
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 1,900
- Education
- Doctorate
Internal medicine physician who diagnoses and treats complex infections, HIV and hepatitis, and leads hospital infection prevention and antibiotic stewardship.
- 40
40. Pediatric Pulmonologist
Specialty within pediatrician, general
- Median pay
- $282,000typical, Doximity Physician Compensation Report 2025
- Growth
- +1.5%
- Openings / yr
- 1,000
- Education
- Doctorate
Pediatrician who treats breathing and lung disorders in children, including severe asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic lung disease of prematurity.
- 41
41. Psychiatrist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $281,870median a year
- Growth
- +7.2%
- Openings / yr
- 900
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders.
- 42
42. Aerospace Medicine Physician
Specialty within preventive medicine physician
- Median pay
- $265,930median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +3.4%
- Openings / yr
- 9,400
- Education
- Doctorate
A physician who keeps pilots, aircrew, and astronauts healthy and fit to fly, and studies how flight and space affect the body.
- 43
43. Allergist and Immunologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $265,930median a year
- Growth
- +3.4%
- Openings / yr
- 9,400
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent allergic diseases and disease processes affecting the immune system.
- 44
44. Hospitalist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $265,930median a year
- Growth
- +3.4%
- Openings / yr
- 9,400
- Education
- Doctorate
Provide inpatient care predominantly in settings such as medical wards, acute care units, intensive care units, rehabilitation centers, or emergency rooms.
- 45
45. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $265,930median a year
- Growth
- +3.4%
- Openings / yr
- 9,400
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose and treat disorders requiring physiotherapy to provide physical, mental, and occupational rehabilitation.
- 46
46. Preventive Medicine Physician
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $265,930median a year
- Growth
- +3.4%
- Openings / yr
- 9,400
- Education
- Doctorate
Apply knowledge of general preventive medicine and public health issues to promote health care to groups or individuals, and aid in the prevention or reduction of risk of disease, injury, disability, or death.
- 47
47. Sports Medicine Physician
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $265,930median a year
- Growth
- +3.4%
- Openings / yr
- 9,400
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent injuries that occur during sporting events, athletic training, and physical activities.
- 48
48. Urologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $265,930median a year
- Growth
- +3.4%
- Openings / yr
- 9,400
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the renal glands.
Questions
Highest-Paying Doctors: FAQ
What is the top career on the highest-paying doctors list?
Congenital Heart Surgeon leads the list with a median wage of $559,030 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) and projected employment change of +2.0% over 2025–2035. Typical entry-level education is doctorate.
How was this list put together?
Physician and surgeon specialties ranked by typical pay. BLS publishes medians for about twenty physician codes; the subspecialties it counts together (neurosurgery, interventional cardiology, Mohs surgery and others) use the specialty compensation surveys cited on each page. BLS stops short here: it folds most of these careers into broad codes (a neurosurgeon is counted with every other physician), so where a career carries industry-reported pay from a named survey, scale or filing (Medscape, MGMA, Levels.fyi, AmLaw, union contracts and similar), that figure is used and its source is on the career page. Everything else is BLS OEWS. Physician and surgeon specialties ranked by typical pay. BLS publishes medians for about twenty physician codes; the subspecialties it counts together (neurosurgery, interventional cardiology, Mohs surgery and others) use the specialty compensation surveys cited on each page. BLS stops short here: it folds most of these careers into broad codes (a neurosurgeon is counted with every other physician), so where a career carries industry-reported pay from a named survey, scale or filing (Medscape, MGMA, Levels.fyi, AmLaw, union contracts and similar), that figure is used and its source is on the career page. Everything else is BLS OEWS. Every figure comes from BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and O*NET 31.0 Database.
How much do highest-paying doctors pay?
Across the 48 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $409,430 a year, from $265,930 at the bottom to $1,060,000 at the top (BLS OEWS May 2025 and the industry compensation sources cited on each career page). The median across all US occupations is $50,980.
How many of these careers can you enter without a degree?
None. BLS lists an associate's degree or higher as the typical entry requirement for all 48 careers on this list.