Healthcare · State Rankings

Best US States for Physician (Doctor)s

All 50 states + DC ranked by Physician (Doctor) salary. State tax structure noted for take-home math.

Top 10 states by salary

#	State	Estimated salary	Cost mult.	State tax
1	California	$287,500	1.18×	~5% effective
2	Hawaii	$282,200	1.15×	~5% effective
3	Massachusetts	$276,700	1.12×	~5% effective
4	Maryland	$269,600	1.08×	~5% effective
5	New York	$269,500	1.15×	~5% effective
6	Alaska	$266,000	1.13×	No state tax
7	New Jersey	$266,000	1.13×	~5% effective
8	District of Columbia	$262,200	1.20×	~5% effective
9	Washington	$260,900	1.10×	No state tax
10	Nevada	$258,900	1.02×	No state tax

All 51 states + DC, ranked

#	State	Salary	After state tax (rough)
1	California	$287,500	$210,881
2	Hawaii	$282,200	$206,994
3	Massachusetts	$276,700	$202,959
4	Maryland	$269,600	$197,752
5	New York	$269,500	$197,678
6	Alaska	$266,000	$208,411
7	New Jersey	$266,000	$195,111
8	District of Columbia	$262,200	$192,324
9	Washington	$260,900	$204,415
10	Nevada	$258,900	$202,848
11	Colorado	$252,400	$185,135
12	Oregon	$252,400	$185,135
13	Pennsylvania	$250,000	$183,375
14	Connecticut	$246,100	$180,514
15	Arizona	$243,800	$178,827
16	Delaware	$243,800	$178,827
17	Florida	$243,800	$191,017
18	Minnesota	$243,800	$178,827
19	Texas	$238,700	$187,021
20	Utah	$238,700	$175,086
21	New Hampshire	$238,100	$186,551
22	Louisiana	$237,400	$174,133
23	Rhode Island	$234,800	$172,226
24	Virginia	$234,800	$172,226
25	Alabama	$233,900	$171,566
26	North Carolina	$233,500	$171,272
27	Idaho	$231,800	$170,025
28	Michigan	$231,800	$170,025
29	Wisconsin	$231,800	$170,025
30	New Mexico	$230,100	$168,778
31	Tennessee	$230,100	$180,283
32	Illinois	$230,000	$168,705
33	Indiana	$228,400	$167,531
34	Kansas	$228,400	$167,531
35	Ohio	$228,400	$167,531
36	Vermont	$228,400	$167,531
37	Maine	$225,200	$165,184
38	Kentucky	$223,300	$163,791
39	Georgia	$220,300	$161,590
40	Montana	$218,700	$160,416
41	Wyoming	$218,700	$171,351
42	North Dakota	$217,100	$159,243
43	South Carolina	$217,100	$159,243
44	Nebraska	$215,500	$158,069
45	South Dakota	$215,500	$168,844
46	Iowa	$213,900	$156,896
47	Missouri	$213,900	$156,896
48	Oklahoma	$210,700	$154,548
49	Arkansas	$207,500	$152,201
50	West Virginia	$207,500	$152,201
51	Mississippi	$204,200	$149,781

After-state-tax estimate uses federal ~14% + FICA 7.65% + state ~5% (or 0% in no-tax states).

What moves with you and what does not

State lines matter more for Physician (Doctor) than for most occupations, because the work requires State medical license (USMLE/COMLEX) plus board certification. A license is issued by one state and recognized by others only where a reciprocity agreement exists. Before treating any state on this list as reachable, check what its board requires of an out-of-state Physician (Doctor) — the answer ranges from a form to a full re-examination.

Tax and what the numbers are worth

Income tax reshuffles this ranking. Alaska, Washington, Nevada appear in the top ten and levy no state income tax, so the gross figures understate take-home there by roughly 3–6% relative to a taxing state at the same salary. Against a high-tax state, that is worth several thousand dollars a year at this occupation's median of $230,000.

No state funds itself on nothing. The income-tax advantage in these states typically shows up again as higher property or sales tax, which changes the calculation depending on whether you rent, own, and how much you spend.

The spread from Mississippi ($204,200) to California ($287,500) is 41%. Cost of living explains most of it — a state paying 25% above the national median for this role usually costs proportionally more to live in, which is why cost-adjusted rankings look different from nominal ones.

Where the field is heading

Nationally, Physician (Doctor) employment is projected to grow — 3% through 2034, with roughly 23,600 openings a year counting replacements. Growth is rarely evenly distributed: states with the industry concentration driving that growth will feel it first, and the ranking above is a reasonable proxy for where.

Salaries are modelled from BLS national medians adjusted for local price level at a wage elasticity below 1 — pay rises with local costs but not proportionally. See our methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which state pays the most for Physician (Doctor)s?▾

Based on cost-of-living-adjusted estimates, California pays the most with an estimated median of $287,500/year for Physician (Doctor)s. High-cost states (CA, NY, MA, HI) tend to top the list because employers compensate for local cost of living.

Do no-state-tax states pay better effective?▾

Often yes after taxes. Alaska, Washington, Nevada, Florida, Texas have no state income tax. A 5% state tax savings on $100K = $5,000 more take-home. But verify cost of living too — Texas pays well and has no tax, but Houston/Austin housing has risen dramatically.

Why do some states pay so much more?▾

Three factors: (1) cost of living — coastal states cost 15-25% more, employers adjust pay; (2) employer concentration — CA dominates tech, NY finance, MA biotech; (3) regulatory environment — some states have higher unionization or licensing requirements that increase wages.

Are these salaries net or gross?▾

Gross — before federal income tax (~14% effective at this income), FICA (7.65%), state income tax (varies), and local taxes if applicable. Use our state-specific Paycheck Calculator for exact take-home in any state.

How does experience affect these numbers?▾

These are medians — entry-level often runs 25-35% below median, senior roles 40-60%+ above. A senior Physician (Doctor) in California can easily exceed $431,250, while an entry-level role in a low-cost state might be $142,940.