Top specialties where academic physicians earn less — and why it matters

Academic physicians often earn significantly less than their peers in private practice — but the size of the pay gap depends heavily on specialty.

Using 2025 salary data from MaritHealth.com, based on more than 8,000 verified physician reports, this slideshow explores where academic medicine pays less, why some specialties are hit harder than others and what physicians trade in return.

While academics can offer prestige, research opportunities and better work-life balance, some specialties see a pay cut of over $100,000. Others experience virtually no difference.