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News
Doctor pay is on the rise across most specialties, with the average starting physician salary hitting $419,000 in 2026 — up from $403,000 last year. Gastroenterology topped the charts at $654,000, while urology saw the biggest year-over-year jump at 22.5%. Signing bonuses, relocation packages, and loan forgiveness are also becoming standard sweeteners in recruitment deals.
Physician starting salaries are heading north, with most specialties posting year-over-year gains, according to AMN Healthcare's 2026 Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives Report. The overall average starting salary reached $419,000, up from $403,000 in 2025, and nearly 90% of job offers came with a signing bonus — averaging $49,306 for physicians.
Gastroenterology led all specialties with a $654,000 average starting salary (up 18.5%), while urology posted the steepest climb at 22.5%, jumping to $638,000. Other big movers included non-invasive cardiology (+20.9%), otolaryngology (+18%), and radiology (+14.2%). Not every specialty fared as well — orthopedics dropped 12% to $507,000, and pediatrics slid 10.6% to $230,000.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: As the U.S. population ages, demand for specialists is outpacing primary care supply — pushing salaries and recruitment incentives higher. For healthcare systems and employers, attracting talent is only half the battle; retention strategies are becoming just as critical.
