Key Takeaways
- Healthcare jobs are predicted to grow by 8% through 2032, with 10,243.7 new positions expected.
- A shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians is expected by 2034 due to factors such as retirements and the creation of new positions.
- 65% of rural areas faced a healthcare worker shortage in 2023.
- Surveyed healthcare workers cite base pay as the No. 1 reason why they remain with their employers.
- 23 of the 24 highest-paying healthcare jobs are for physicians and surgeons.
- Management positions and dental specialties also made the list of the best-paying healthcare jobs.
Top 24 best-paying healthcare jobs
For each of the highest-paying medical jobs, you’ll find the average and median annual salaries listed and a short description of what each position involves.
1. Anesthesiologist
Average annual salary: $386,391
Median annual salary: $455,269
Ranked first among the best-paid jobs in healthcare based on median salary, anesthesiologists administer anesthetics and pain-relieving agents to keep patients comfortable before, during and after medical procedures.
2. Urologist
Average annual salary: $284,233
Median annual salary: $379,955
Urologists diagnose and treat conditions affecting the urinary system, adrenal glands and reproductive system, such as recurring urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, enlarged prostate, kidney stones, erectile dysfunction and pelvic organ prolapse.
3. Gastroenterologist
Average annual salary: $297,624
Median annual salary: $379,236
Gastroenterologists specialize in treating conditions that affect the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, bile ducts, pancreas and gallbladder, such as irritable bowel disease, stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease and hepatitis.
4. Otolaryngology physician
Average annual salary: $315,121
Median annual salary: $375,000
Also known as ENTs and otolaryngologists, otolaryngology physicians diagnose and treat conditions affecting the ears, nose, throat, head and neck, including recurring ear infections, vertigo, hearing loss and cancers of the mouth and throat.
5. Orthopedic surgery specialist
Average annual salary: $298,130
Median annual salary: $375,000
Sometimes referred to as orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons, orthopedic surgery specialists focus on treating injuries and conditions of the joints, bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons.
6. Internal medicine physician
Average annual salary: $259,975
Median annual salary: $300,000
Commonly called internists, internal medicine physicians specialize in adult medicine, helping patients manage complex chronic conditions and delivering preventative care. They often serve as primary care physicians.
7. Plastic surgeon
Average annual salary: $298,940
Median annual salary: $300,000
Plastic surgeons perform procedures to improve the appearance and functionality of areas like the chest, breasts, skin, face, ears, mouth, nose, head and neck.
8. Family medicine physician
Average annual salary: $251,070
Median annual salary: $300,000
Family medicine physicians deliver comprehensive care for patients of all ages, seeing everyone from infants to seniors. Often acting as primary care physicians, they treat routine illnesses, perform basic procedures, manage chronic conditions and offer preventative services.
9. Orthodontist
Average annual salary: $259,858
Median annual salary: $300,000
Orthodontists are dental specialists who correct misalignments of the teeth and jaws for aesthetic and functional purposes with appliances like braces and retainers.
10. Urgent care physician
Average annual salary: $275,277
Median annual salary: $300,000
Urgent care physicians provide immediate care for individuals with injuries and acute illnesses. They often work in outpatient clinics that accept walk-in patients, offering a solution for people who need prompt care but aren’t experiencing medical emergencies.
11. Vascular surgeon
Average annual salary: $300,701
Median annual salary: $300,000
Vascular surgeons care for patients with conditions affecting the arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels, such as aneurysms, blood clots, peripheral artery disease, stroke and varicose veins.
12. Surgeon
Average annual salary: $297,953
Median annual salary: $300,000
Surgeons, or general surgeons, perform procedures as part of treatment plans for conditions affecting the internal organs and the musculoskeletal system. They help treat traumatic injuries, congenital defects, breast cancers and other issues.
13. Dermatologist
Average annual salary: $261,862
Median annual salary: $296,927
Dermatologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving the hair, nails, skin and mucous membranes, including hair loss, nail fungus, acne, rosacea, eczema and skin cancer.
14. Psychiatrist
Average annual salary: $257,498
Median annual salary: $293,643
Psychiatrists diagnose and treat emotional, mental and behavioral conditions, including substance use disorder, anxiety disorders, clinical depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and personality disorders.
15. Senior medical director
Average annual salary: $279,008
Median annual salary: $289,561
A senior medical director oversees a program or practice and acts as a direct supervisor for physicians and other healthcare professionals. They are typically physicians and may provide direct patient care while also performing other duties, such as establishing budgets and drafting policies.
16. Chief medical officer
Average annual salary: $258,807
Median annual salary: $288,270
Chief medical officers are physicians who serve as liaisons between medical providers and administrators at hospitals and other facilities. Their duties often involve hiring and leadership responsibilities, and in some cases, they may provide patient care.
17. Pulmonologist
Average annual salary: $268,616
Median annual salary: $286,219
Pulmonologists develop treatment plans for patients who have illnesses and conditions affecting the lungs, such as asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, lung cancer and tuberculosis.
18. Nocturnist
Average annual salary: $215,685
Median annual salary: $285,915
Nocturnists are physicians who work overnight shifts in hospitals, monitoring and delivering care for patients with acute illnesses. They usually have training in internal or family medicine or a specialty, such as pediatrics.
19. Rheumatologist
Average annual salary: $276,112
Median annual salary: $284,982
Rheumatologists receive advanced training in inflammatory diseases to help patients with osteoporosis, arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and similar conditions manage symptoms.
20. Hospitalist
Average annual salary: $244,928
Median annual salary: $281,496
Also known as hospital medicine clinicians, hospitalists care for acutely ill patients while they remain hospitalized. Their training and job duties are similar to those of nocturnists, but they generally work daylight rather than evening hours.
21. Neurologist
Average annual salary: $230,815
Median annual salary: $276,518
Neurologists diagnose and treat diseases and injuries involving the brain, spinal cord and nerves. They care for patients with a wide range of conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, chronic headaches, meningitis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, peripheral neuropathy and stroke.
22. Obstetrics and gynecology physician
Average annual salary: $218,611
Median annual salary: $272,822
Commonly called obstetrician-gynecologists or OB-GYNs, obstetrics and gynecology physicians specialize in women’s health, caring for pregnant women, delivering babies and diagnosing and treating illnesses and diseases that affect the reproductive system.
23. Endocrinologist
Average annual salary: $250,234
Median annual salary: $272,702
Endocrinologists benefit from advanced training in the endocrine system and hormones, allowing them to diagnose and treat conditions like diabetes, thyroid disease, endocrine cancers, polycystic ovary syndrome and osteoporosis.
24. Neonatologist
Average annual salary: $238,177
Median annual salary: $270,000
Neonatologists monitor and care for premature infants and newborns with diseases and congenital disorders. They work closely with obstetricians and pediatricians.
¹Indeed data (US), Dec 2022 – Dec 2023
