Physician / Medical Doctor Salary Bands & Trajectory
Examines patients, diagnoses acute and chronic illnesses, prescribes medical treatments, and oversees multi-disciplinary clinical teams.
Physician / Medical Doctor Leveling & Total Comp Matrix
Base salary percentiles, target annual bonus, annual equity grant, and median total compensation across 4 career levels.
| Level | Title & Experience | 25th %ile Base | Median Base (P50) | 75th %ile Base | 90th %ile Base | Bonus / Equity | Median Total Comp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | Resident Physician / Medical Fellow 0 - 4 Years (Post-MD/DO) |
$64,000 | $72,000 | $80,000 | $88,000 | 5% / $0 | $75,600 |
| M2 | Staff Attending Physician 1 - 4 Years Post-Residency |
$220,000 | $255,000 | $300,000 | $350,000 | 15% / $20,000 | $313,250 |
| M3 | Senior Attending / Department Subspecialist 5 - 10 Years |
$285,000 | $340,000 | $410,000 | $490,000 | 20% / $45,000 | $453,000 |
| M4 | Medical Director / Chief Medical Officer (CMO) 10 - 15+ Years |
$380,000 | $460,000 | $560,000 | $680,000 | 30% / $120,000 | $718,000 |
Scope, Competencies & Promotion Criteria
Resident Physician / Medical Fellow
Completes ACGME residency training, manages hospital inpatients, performs supervised procedures, conducts clinical rounds.
Staff Attending Physician
Practices autonomously; manages clinical patient panels, diagnostic treatment plans, and emergency admissions; supervises residents and APPs.
Senior Attending / Department Subspecialist
Serves as senior clinical authority; leads specialized clinical service lines; mentors attendings and clinical fellows.
Medical Director / Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
Directs health system medical policy, regulatory accreditation, clinical quality, physician credentialing, and multi-million dollar health system budgets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median Physician / Medical Doctor salary in 2026?
Across 4 career levels, median Physician / Medical Doctor base salary ranges from $72,000 at M1 (0 - 4 Years (Post-MD/DO)) to $460,000 at M4 (10 - 15+ Years), with annual total compensation reaching $718,000+.
How fast are Physician / Medical Doctor salaries growing?
Current 2026 market demand for Physician / Medical Doctor is tracking at +6.4% YoY YoY across top specialties including Internal Medicine & Hospitalist, Family Medicine & Urgent Care, Cardiology & Subspecialties, Anesthesiology & Critical Care.
How can I model my 5-year Physician / Medical Doctor compensation trajectory?
Launch the interactive SalaryPathGuide 5-Year Trajectory Calculator pre-loaded with Physician / Medical Doctor benchmarks to customize annual raises, promotion cycles, RSU vesting, and FIRE wealth projections.