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
- Alaska – $264,010
- New Hampshire – $255,090
- Wisconsin – $254,690
- Hawaii – $251,180
- Minnesota – $248,630
- Washington – $245,360
- Indiana – $241,600
- Montana – $237,990
- Massachusetts – $235,950
- Georgia – $232,190
Family Medicine Physicians – Lowest Paying States
- West Virginia – $173,790
- District of Columbia – $174,210
- Kentucky – $180,700
- Maine – $190,060
- Ohio – $190,650
- Missouri – $194,120
- New Mexico – $194,260
- Colorado – $199,190
- New York – $200,170
- Connecticut – $202,130
General Internal Medicine Physicians – Highest Paying States
- South Dakota – $286,330
- Alaska – $282,730
- South Carolina – $282,620
- Nevada – $277,340
- Wisconsin – $276,400
- Wyoming – $273,750
- North Carolina – $273,320
- New Mexico – $271,210
- Indiana – $264,840
- Minnesota – $256,340
General Internal Medicine Physicians – Lowest Paying States
- West Virginia – $151,100
- Michigan – $169,870
- Tennessee – $170,370
- New York – $171,360
- Missouri – $180,870
- Ohio – $190,140
- Massachusetts – $194,720
- Rhode Island – $198,290
- Texas – $201,560
- Nebraska – $203,950
Pediatricians – Highest Paying States
- Montana – $268,760
- Alaska – $263,390
- Utah – $255,900
- New Hampshire – $255,170
- Wisconsin – $246,020
- Rhode Island – $231,910
- Nevada – $229,620
- Wyoming – $224,170
- Iowa – $223,940
- Pennsylvania – $223,350
Pediatricians – Lowest Paying States
- Nebraska – $131,250
- Kansas – $132,850
- Louisiana – $152,350
- Georgia – $152,980
- Florida – $158,270
- North Carolina – $159,530
- Tennessee – $159,620
- Oklahoma – $168,660
- Alabama – $169,380
- Ohio – $169,380
Surgeons – Highest Paying States
- South Carolina – $295,380
- Oregon – $293,170
- Kentucky – $292,350
- South Dakota – $290,730
- Maryland – $287,900
- Louisiana – $287,840
- District of Columbia – $286,160
- Rhode Island – $285,920
- Arizona – $284,260
- Mississippi – $282,660
Surgeons – Lowest Paying States
- Tennessee – $200,990
- New York – $213,160
- Michigan – $220,120
- Indiana – $221,850
- Arkansas – $227,080
- Virginia – $228,310
- Georgia – $229,340
- Vermont – $229,420
- California – $229,430
- Montana – $233,880
Other Physicians – Highest Paying States
- Maine – $279,700
- Montana – $271,560
- South Dakota – $269,100
- Alaska – $266,200
- Wyoming – $263,540
- Hawaii – $263,200
- Indiana – $260,540
- Wisconsin – $258,470
- Nevada – $251,840
- Georgia – $251,300
Other Physicians – Lowest Paying States
- Michigan – $178,230
- Kansas – $180,960
- Mississippi – $184,170
- Massachusetts – $187,980
- Tennessee – $194,700
- North Carolina – $198,750
- Pennsylvania – $202,340
- New York – $204,290
- Oklahoma – $205,440
- 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.