Medical Salaries: What You Should Earn
Healthcare plays a huge role in all of our lives, and behind it is an incredibly broad field of professionals — from nurses and surgeons to lab techs and therapists. The thing is, because the field is so big and diverse, salaries can be all over the place. Even two people with the same job…
Healthcare plays a huge role in all of our lives, and behind it is an incredibly broad field of professionals — from nurses and surgeons to lab techs and therapists. The thing is, because the field is so big and diverse, salaries can be all over the place. Even two people with the same job title might be getting completely different amounts depending on their location, experience and many other factors.
That’s why figuring out whether your pay is actually competitive isn’t always straightforward.
In this article, we’ve pulled together recent data from reliable sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor, and Payscale to lay out what people in healthcare are making right now — from lower-paying entry-level roles to the top earners in the field. We’ll also go over what affects those salaries, like certifications, location, and work environment.
What’s inside this article:
- What Affects Salaries in Healthcare?
- A Closer Look: Medical Field Salary Breakdown
- So, Where Do You Stand?
In the first section, “What Affects Salaries in Healthcare?”, we’ll take a closer look at the key factors that influence how much you can earn. You’ll also find real-world examples showing how these elements can shift pay from one end of the spectrum to the other.
Then, in “A Closer Look: Medical Field Salary Breakdown” we’ve compiled a clear and up-to-date list of salaries across a range of healthcare positions. From entry-level roles to more advanced specializations, this breakdown gives you a sense of what to expect — and what to aim for.
In the last section, “So, Where Do You Stand?”, we’ll walk you through how to evaluate your current salary and consider whether it’s time for something new. And if it is, JobHire.AI is one tool that makes the search easier — matching your profile with roles that better reflect your value.
Whether you’ve been in healthcare for years, you’re just getting started, or you’re simply curious about what people earn in this space, this guide should help you make sense of it all — and maybe even think about your next step.
What Affects Salaries in Healthcare?
Healthcare is a vast field, and pay can vary widely depending on a number of factors. Here’s a breakdown of what really drives the numbers — with examples to show just how big the differences can be.
1. Role and Specialization
Not all medical roles are created equal — and salaries reflect that. Specialized positions tend to earn significantly more than general roles.
| Family Medicine Physician | Earns an average of $235,930/year |
| Cardiologist | Can expect $423,250/year on average |
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | Earns around $36,220/year |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
2. Location
Geography plays a huge role. A job in California may pay far more than the same role in the Midwest — but cost of living also tends to be higher.
| Registered Nurses (RNs) in California | Earn an average of $137,690/year |
| Registered Nurses (RNs) in Alabama | Averages closer to $66,910/year |
Source: BLS State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
3. Experience Level
As expected, more experience usually leads to better pay. For example:
| Entry-level Physical Therapist | Might earn around $69,000/year |
| Physical Therapist with 10+ years of experience | Might earn around $95,000–$110,000/year |
Source: Salary.com – Physical Therapist Salary Data
4. Type of Employer
Who you work for can change everything — from pay scale to benefits.
| Radiologic Technologist in a private imaging center | May earn $58,000/year |
| Radiologic Technologist in a large hospital | Could get closer to $73,000/year |
Source: Indeed.com and Glassdoor job data
5. Education and Certification
Additional qualifications can be a real salary booster. For instance:
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Earns about $55,860/year |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Increases payments to $89,010/year |
| Nurse with a nurse practitioner (NP) license | Can push Salary to $124,680/year |
Source: BLS – Nursing Salaries
These examples are just a snapshot, but they highlight how widely salaries can vary depending on your role, experience, and where you work. Whether you’re early in your healthcare career or have been at it for years, knowing what influences your pay makes a huge difference. It gives you perspective when reviewing offers, planning your path forward, or figuring out if it’s time for a change.
A Closer Look: Medical Field Salary Breakdown
Now that we’ve gone over the factors that shape earnings in healthcare, let’s get into the numbers. Below is a breakdown of salaries across different medical professions — from entry-level support roles to highly specialized positions. There you can check how much others earn in this field and compare your own salary to figure out where it stands.
This data is based on reliable sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Glassdoor, and Payscale, reflecting real-world earnings across the United States.
Doctors & Surgeons
| Position | Bottom 10% salary | Median salary | Top 10% salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiologists Salary | $389,800/year | $441,000/year | $526,200/year |
| Cardiologist Salary | $102,530/year | $583,000/year | $769,900/year |
| Chiropractor Salary | $39,960/year | $76,530/year | $142,580/year |
| Clinical Psychologist Salary | $48,820/year | $96,100/year | $168,870/year |
| Dermatologist Salary | $103,000/year | $239,200/year | $491,030/year |
| Neurologist Salary | $82,990/year | $300,000/year | $511,730/year |
| Neurosurgeon Salary | $507,800/year | $674,400/year | $853,300/year |
| Orthopedic Surgeon Salary | $129,360/year | $552,280/year | $700,470/year |
| Pediatrician Salary | $85,120/year | $198,690/year | $260,000/year |
| Psychiatrist Salary | $73,280/year | $239,200/year | $431,620/year |
| Surgeon Salary | $78,000/year | $239,200/year | $700,000/year |
Nursing Roles
| Position | Bottom 10% salary | Median salary | Top 10% salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNA Salary | $30,020/year | $38,200/year | $48,780/year |
| CRNA Salary | $139,980/year | $212,650/year | $238,500/year |
| NICU Nurse Salary | $53,410/year | $75,330/year | $116,230/year |
| Nurse Practitioner Salary | $87,340/year | $121,610/year | $165,240/year |
| Pediatric Nurse Salary | $87,320/year | $132,050/year | $177,530/year |
| Travel Nurse Salary | $86,810/year | $93,600/year | $151,227/year |
Dental Professionals
| Position | Bottom 10% salary | Median salary | Top 10% salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant Salary | $28,940/year | $41,180/year | $58,390/year |
| Dental Hygienist Salary | $61,510/year | $81,400/year | $107,640/year |
| Dentist Salary | $80,820/year | $166,300/year | $239,200/year |
| Orthodontist Salary | $89,980/year | $239,200/year | $337,600/year |
Pharmacy Roles
| Position | Bottom 10% salary | Median salary | Top 10% salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist Salary | $89,980/year | $136,030/year | $168,650/year |
| Pharmacy Technician Salary | $32,720/year | $40,300/year | $57,130/year |
Technicians & Technologists
| Position | Bottom 10% salary | Median salary | Top 10% salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist Assistant Salary | $86,280/year | $140,766/year | $238,251/year |
| EKG Technician Salary | $36,620/year | $66,170/year | $105,140/year |
| EMT Salary | $29,910/year | $38,930/year | $59,390/year |
| MRI Tech Salary | $60,530/year | $80,090/year | $104,850/year |
| Radiology Tech Salary | $47,760/year | $65,140/year | $97,940/year |
| Sonographer Salary | $64,760/year | $89,340/year | $123,170/year |
| Surgical Tech Salary | $40,640/year | $60,610/year | $83,150/year |
| Ultrasound Tech Salary | $64,760/year | $82,570/year | $123,170/year |
| Xray Tech Salary | $47,760/year | $65,140/year | $97,940/year |
Rehabilitation & Therapy
| Position | Bottom 10% salary | Median salary | Top 10% salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Salary | $72,260/year | $99,710/year | $130,870/year |
| Physical Therapy Assistant Salary | $42,110/year | $65,510/year | $88,830/year |
| Radiation Therapist Salary | $72,280/year | $98,300/year | $136,910/year |
| Respiratory Therapist Salary | $59,180/year | $77,960/year | $104,480/year |
| Speech Pathologist Salary | $57,910/year | $89,290/year | $129,930/year |
| Therapist Salary | $50,000/year | $77,000/year | $149,940/year |
Medical Support & Admin
| Position | Bottom 10% salary | Median salary | Top 10% salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant Salary | $33,500/year | $42,000/year | $56,480/year |
| Medical Coding Salary | $35,080/year | $48,780/year | $77,810/year |
| Nutritionist Salary | $44,910/year | $69,680/year | $98,830/year |
| Phlebotomist Salary | $33,310/year | $41,810/year | $55,330/year |
So, Where Do You Stand?
Now that you’ve seen how medical salaries can vary by role, location, experience, and more, you probably have a better sense of where your current pay fits in — or doesn’t. Whether you’re earning less than expected or thinking about your next move, this kind of insight is a powerful tool.
But knowing is just the start. If you’re ready to take action, JobHire.AI can help you turn that knowledge into progress. From identifying better-paying roles to automatically tailoring your applications and auto-applying for fitting roles for you, it’s built to support every step of your job search — especially when you’re aiming higher.
If your current salary isn’t matching your value, now’s the time to do something about it. Let JobHire.AI help you find a position that pays what you deserve.
