Highest Paying Medical Jobs in 2026: Complete Ranking and Salary Outlook

The U.S. healthcare sector is booming, projected to add 1.8 million job openings annually through 2032 (BLS). With physician shortages and rising demand, 2026 offers unprecedented earning potential for medical professionals. This guide ranks the highest-paying medical jobs using data from Doximity, TAG MedStaffing, BLS, and staffing firms like Consilium and All Star. Whether you're a student, practicing clinician, or career changer, find salaries, requirements, demand, and entry steps for top roles.

The #1 Best Paying Job in the Medical Field for 2026

Neurosurgery tops the list as the single highest-paying medical job in 2026, with an average annual salary of $749,140 (Doximity via TAG MedStaffing). Neurosurgeons perform complex brain, spine, and nerve surgeries, commanding premiums due to high-stakes procedures and limited supply.

Here's a quick table of the top 5 highest-paying medical jobs:

Rank	Job	Average Salary (2026)	Source
1	Neurosurgeon	$749,140	Doximity/TAG
2	Orthopedic Surgeon	$679,517	Doximity/TAG
3	General Thoracic Surgeon	$689,969	Doximity/TAG
4	Cardiologist	$587,360	Doximity/TAG
5	Vascular Surgeon	$576,452	Doximity/TAG

These figures include base pay plus bonuses; locum tenens roles can add 30%+ premiums. Entry requires 13+ years of training: bachelor's, med school, 7-year residency, and often fellowships.

Key Takeaways: Top 10 Highest Paying Medical Jobs 2026

For quick scanning, here's the top 10 with 2026 projections:

Neurosurgeon: $749K (Doximity)
Orthopedic Surgeon: $679K (Doximity)
Thoracic Surgeon: $690K (Doximity)
Cardiologist: $587K (Doximity)
Vascular Surgeon: $576K (Doximity)
Anesthesiologist: $523K (Doximity)
Gastroenterologist: $538K (Doximity)
Radiologist: $350K–$500K (avg. $472K interventional; industry reports)
Dermatologist: $508K (MedSchoolInsiders)
CRNA (Nurse Anesthetist): $223K+ (BLS/Research.com; 80% of rural anesthesiology)

Locum tenens boosts earnings by 30% on average (Consilium), with EM and radiology seeing 110–160% hourly premiums (All Star).

Top Earning Physician Specialties Ranked by 2026 Salary

Physician salaries vary by specialty, with procedural fields leading. Doximity reports average $400K–$750K, contrasting BLS medians (~$208K–$239K) which undercount bonuses/incentives. Top earners:

Cardiologists: $500K–$800K in hospitals (All Star); $587K avg.
Orthopedic Surgeons: $679K.
Anesthesiologists: $523K.
Radiologists: $350K–$500K; interventional at $472K+.
Emergency Medicine: $375K–$450K in trauma centers (All Star); locum ER physicians earn 30% premiums.

Mini case: A locum tenens ER physician in high-need areas nets 15–30% more via hourly rates 110%+ of full-time equivalents, plus travel perks.

Surgery Salaries: Orthopedic, Cardiothoracic, and Pediatric Trends

Surgeons dominate high-pay lists amid a $986B market in 2026 (SURGPLI). Orthopedics ($679K) leads for joint/spine work; thoracic ($690K) for chest procedures; pediatric surgery ~$450K+ (Indeed). Oral surgeons follow trends with strong income growth. Demand surges 3%+ annually due to aging populations.

High-Pay Procedural Specialties: Cardiology, Radiology, Dermatology

Cardiology: $587K+; interventional/EP adds 25% (All Star).
Radiology: $472K for interventional; subspecialties premium 15–30% (All Star).
Dermatology: $508K with top work-life balance.

Subspecialties yield 15–30% premiums across fields.

Best Paying Non-Physician Medical Jobs 2026

Non-physicians enter faster with high pay:

CRNA: $223K+ median (BLS); handles 80% rural anesthesiology.
Physician Assistant (PA): $100K+ (Nexford); top cities like Spokane boost wealth.
Nurse Practitioner: $129K.

Mini case: Rural CRNAs earn top rates with less training (7–8 years vs. 13+ for MDs), outpacing many physicians in accessibility.

CRNAs trail physicians but offer quicker entry and flexibility.

Medical Executives and CEOs: The Hidden High-Earners

Physician leaders earn big without daily patient care:

Medical Director/Associate CMO: $300K–$400K + 15–35% incentives.
CMO/VP Clinical Strategy: $400K–$600K+.

MBA/MHA adds 10–20% premiums (HealthStaffingGroup). Mini case: A surgeon with MBA becomes CMO, blending clinical expertise with $500K+ total comp.

Locum Tenens vs Permanent: Which Pays More in 2026?

Locum tenens pays 30% more on average (Consilium), ideal amid shortages.

Aspect	Locum Tenens	Permanent
Pay	110–160% hourly (Radiology/EM); 15–25% subspecialty premium	Stable base + bonuses
Pros	Travel/housing perks (20–30% value add); flexibility	Benefits, stability
Cons	No long-term security	Less upside in shortages
Rates	EM: $375K–$450K equiv.; Radiology premiums	Lower hourly

Data from Consilium/All Star; locums resolve full-time data gaps by capturing true market rates.

Physicians vs Non-Physicians: Salary and Lifestyle Comparison 2026

Role	Salary	Training	Lifestyle Notes
Neurosurgeon	$749K	13+ years	High burnout (49–58%; Statista)
CRNA	$223K	7–8 years	Better balance; rural demand
Orthopedic Surgeon	$679K	13 years	Procedural intensity
PA	$100K+	2–3 years post-BS	Flexibility, less debt

Physicians win pay but face longer training/burnout; non-MDs offer work-life trade-offs (e.g., dermatology balance).

How to Land a Top-Paying Medical Job: Step-by-Step Guide

Education: Bachelor's (pre-med) + 4-year med school (MD/DO) for physicians; BSN + CRNA program for nurses.
Residency/Fellowship: 3–7 years (surgeons: 5–7); pass USMLE/APMLE.
Certifications: Board certs (e.g., ABNS for neurosurgery).
Locum Boost: Start via Consilium/All Star for 30% premiums.
High-Demand Areas: Rural/trauma centers; 1.8M openings to 2032 (BLS).

Projected growth: 3.6% for radiologists; surgery above 3%.

2026 Salary Factors: Location, Experience, and Trends

Location: PAs thrive in Spokane/Toledo (high wages/low costs); EM $375K–$450K in trauma hubs.
Experience/Subspecialty: 15–30% premiums.
Trends: BLS 3.6% growth; aging population drives surgery/CRNA demand.