Some jobs are known for being well-paying, and physicians are usually at the top of that list, both informally and formally, often ranking at the top of any and every “Highest Paying Jobs” list. As arguably one of the most prestigious professions, the pay often reflects the level of education, skill, and dedication it takes to become a medical doctor. However, not for everyone and not everywhere.

Below are the 10 states where physicians make the most and the least, on average, according to 2020 salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for family medicine physicians, general internal medicine physicians, pediatricians, surgeons, and other types of physicians.

Family Medicine Physicians – Highest Paying States

1. Alaska – $264,010
2. New Hampshire – $255,090
3. Wisconsin – $254,690
4. Hawaii – $251,180
5. Minnesota – $248,630
6. Washington – $245,360
7. Indiana – $241,600
8. Montana – $237,990
9. Massachusetts – $235,950
10. Georgia – $232,190

Family Medicine Physicians – Lowest Paying States

1. West Virginia – $173,790
2. District of Columbia – $174,210
3. Kentucky – $180,700
4. Maine – $190,060
5. Ohio – $190,650
6. Missouri – $194,120
7. New Mexico – $194,260
8. Colorado – $199,190
9. New York – $200,170
10. Connecticut – $202,130

General Internal Medicine Physicians – Highest Paying States

1. South Dakota – $286,330
2. Alaska – $282,730
3. South Carolina – $282,620
4. Nevada – $277,340
5. Wisconsin – $276,400
6. Wyoming – $273,750
7. North Carolina – $273,320
8. New Mexico – $271,210
9. Indiana – $264,840
10. Minnesota – $256,340

General Internal Medicine Physicians – Lowest Paying States

1. West Virginia – $151,100
2. Michigan – $169,870
3. Tennessee – $170,370
4. New York – $171,360
5. Missouri – $180,870
6. Ohio – $190,140
7. Massachusetts – $194,720
8. Rhode Island – $198,290
9. Texas – $201,560
10. Nebraska – $203,950

Pediatricians – Highest Paying States

1. Montana – $268,760
2. Alaska – $263,390
3. Utah – $255,900
4. New Hampshire – $255,170
5. Wisconsin – $246,020
6. Rhode Island – $231,910
7. Nevada – $229,620
8. Wyoming – $224,170
9. Iowa – $223,940
10. Pennsylvania – $223,350

Pediatricians – Lowest Paying States

1. Nebraska – $131,250
2. Kansas – $132,850
3. Louisiana – $152,350
4. Georgia – $152,980
5. Florida – $158,270
6. North Carolina – $159,530
7. Tennessee – $159,620
8. Oklahoma – $168,660
9. Alabama – $169,380
10. Ohio – $169,380

Surgeons – Highest Paying States

1. South Carolina – $295,380
2. Oregon – $293,170
3. Kentucky – $292,350
4. South Dakota – $290,730
5. Maryland – $287,900
6. Louisiana – $287,840
7. District of Columbia – $286,160
8. Rhode Island – $285,920
9. Arizona – $284,260
10. Mississippi – $282,660

Surgeons – Lowest Paying States

1. Tennessee – $200,990
2. New York – $213,160
3. Michigan – $220,120
4. Indiana – $221,850
5. Arkansas – $227,080
6. Virginia – $228,310
7. Georgia – $229,340
8. Vermont – $229,420
9. California – $229,430
10. Montana – $233,880

Other Physicians – Highest Paying States

1. Maine – $279,700
2. Montana – $271,560
3. South Dakota – $269,100
4. Alaska – $266,200
5. Wyoming – $263,540
6. Hawaii – $263,200
7. Indiana – $260,540
8. Wisconsin – $258,470
9. Nevada – $251,840
10. Georgia – $251,300

Other Physicians – Lowest Paying States

1. Michigan – $178,230
2. Kansas – $180,960
3. Mississippi – $184,170
4. Massachusetts – $187,980
5. Tennessee – $194,700
6. North Carolina – $198,750
7. Pennsylvania – $202,340
8. New York – $204,290
9. Oklahoma – $205,440
10. Oregon – $205,460

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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.