10 highest-paid physician specialties in 2026

Physician pay is up again in 2026, and for the first time in a few years, doctors mostly feel all right about it. The average physician now earns about $386,000 in total compensation, a roughly 3% gain over the prior year, according to Medscape's 2026 Physician Compensation Report, which surveyed 5,916 full-time U.S. physicians between September and December 2025. More than half, 53%, said they feel fairly paid, up from 48% a year earlier and the highest reading in three years.