In 2024, the annual average compensation for U.S. physicians in four medical specialties surpassed $500,000. A 2025 Physician Compensation Report states the highest-paid physicians were orthopedic specialists, while public health and preventive medicine professionals earned the least.

With the exception of anesthesiology, the top seven highest-paying specialties have consistently ranked among the 10 best-paid specialties in the last five years.

The data comes from a survey of 7,322 physicians across 29 specialties, conducted from October 3 to January 15 by Beckers.

1. Orthopedic and orthopedic surgery: $543,000
2. Radiology: $520,000
3. Plastic surgery: $516,000
4. Cardiology: $506,000
5. Anesthesiology: $499,000
6. Gastroenterology: $495,000
7. Urology: $485,000 
8. Otolaryngology: $473,000
9. Oncology and hematology: $452,000
10. Dermatology: $424,000
11. General surgery: $420,000
12. Critical care: $410,00
13. Pathology: $395,000
14. Ophthalmology: $394,000
15. Pulmonary medicine: $387,000
16. Emergency medicine: $374,000
17. OB-GYN: $367,000
18. Nephrology: $359,000
19. Physical medicine and rehabilitation: $354,000
20. Psychiatry: $336,000
21. Neurology: $322,000
22. Allergy and immunology: $312,000
23. Internal medicine: $286,000
24. Rheumatology: $277,000
25. Infectious diseases: $277,00
26. Diabetes and endocrinology: $277,000
27. Family medicine: $276,000
28. Pediatrics: $258,000
29. Public health and preventive medicine: $257,000