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2026 Salary Data — Boston, MA
Updated April 28, 2026

Physician Salary in Boston: $298K Median

Physicians in Boston, MA earn between $228K and $520K per year.

That's +30% above the US national median of $229,300 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physician salary in Boston, MA is $298,090 per year — +30% above the US national median of $229,300. Salaries range from $227,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $520,000 (90th percentile). Physicians in Boston earned approximately $45,165 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$298,090
+560.0% YoY · $24,841/mo
Entry
$260,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$455,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$520,000
Senior/lead
Physician Salary — Boston vs Nearby
Boston
$298K
San Diego
$271K
+10% vs Boston
Seattle
$303K
-2% vs Boston
Long Beach
$275K
+8% vs Boston

Free ATS scan · Boston employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Physicians in Boston

Physicians diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and provide preventive care. Specialties range widely in compensation.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient diagnosis and treatment
  • Order tests and prescriptions
  • Document patient records
  • Coordinate care
  • Lead medical teams

Education & Certifications

Typical path: MD/DO + residency (3-7 years)

In-demand certifications

MD or DOBoard certificationState medical licenseDEA registration

Boston Job Market

Premier biotech, healthcare, and education hub with major tech presence.

Population
692K
Cost of Living
162
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.4%
Median Home
$750K

Top Industries in Boston

HealthcareEducationBiotechTechFinance

Top Employers Hiring Physicians

Major employers active in Boston or hiring remotely from this metro.

Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
Kaiser Permanente
Johns Hopkins
HCA Healthcare
Veterans Health

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Physician listings.

TelemedicineAI-assisted diagnosisConcierge medicineSpecialty practiceEHR efficiency

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

MDboard certifiedpatient careEHR (Epic)clinical researchspecialtyresidency
Career Outlook
+4% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+.

Physician Salary Breakdown — Boston

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$227,500$298,090$520,000
Monthly$18,958$24,841$43,333
Weekly$4,375$5,733$10,000
Hourly$109$143$250

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($229,300) adjusted for Boston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physician Take-Home Pay in Boston

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$199,176.245
Per month$16,598
Biweekly paycheck$7,661
Effective tax rate33.2%

Tax Breakdown on $298,090

Gross salary$298,090
Federal income tax−$68,768.75
Massachusetts state tax−$14,904.5
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$15,240.505
Take-home (net)$199,176.245

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Physician Salary by Experience — Boston

Career-stage progression for Physicians in Boston.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$239,200
2–3 yr$260,000
4–6 yr$357,500
7–10 yr$455,000
11–15 yr$536,900
15+ yr$487,500

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Boston's 1.30× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$45,165
2026 median:$298,090
Change:+$252,925

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telemedicine and AI-assisted diagnosis.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$184,006
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Physician Salary in Boston

Walk-away anchor: $270,991 (offers below this are below market for Boston).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $455K–$520K for experienced roles, citing Boston market data and your specific Telemedicine/AI-assisted diagnosis expertise.

Physician Salary FAQ — Boston

What is the average Physician salary in Boston, MA?
The average Physician salary in Boston is $298,090 per year as of April 2026 — $24,841/month, $5,733/week, or about $143/hour. Salaries range from $227,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $520,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Boston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×).
Is $298,090 a good Physician salary in Boston?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Boston's cost-of-living index is 162 (vs 100 nationally), giving $298,090 a real purchasing power of approximately $184,006 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $298,090 in Boston?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Boston specifically (median home price $750,000), a $298,090 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $298,090 enough for a single person in Boston?
A single adult in Boston typically needs ~$72,900 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $298,090 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $298,090 enough for a couple in Boston?
A couple (one earner) in Boston typically needs ~$116,640 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $298,090 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $298,090 each ($596,180 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $298,090 enough for a family of 4 in Boston?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Boston typically needs ~$178,200 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $298,090 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Physician income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Boston typically run $24K-$45K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physician in Boston?
On a $298,090 Physician salary in Boston, MA, you take home approximately $199,176.245 per year ($16,598/month, $7,661 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $68,768.75, state $14,904.5, FICA $15,240.505. Effective tax rate: 33.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physicians in Boston earn compared to the US average?
Physicians in Boston earn approximately 30% more than the US national median for this role ($229,300 nationally vs $298,090 in Boston). However, Boston's cost-of-living index of 162 means real purchasing power is approximately $184,006 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physician earn in Boston?
Entry-level Physicians in Boston typically start at around $260,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physicians earn $455,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $520,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physician salaries in Boston increase in 2026?
Yes — Physician salaries in Boston grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $45,165 in 2025 to $298,090 in 2026 (+$252,925). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telemedicine and AI-assisted diagnosis demand.
What's the job outlook for Physicians in Boston?
Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+. Boston's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Biotech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.4% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Physicians in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Physicians are: Telemedicine, AI-assisted diagnosis, Concierge medicine, Specialty practice, EHR efficiency. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Boston.
Who are the top employers hiring Physicians in Boston?
Top employers hiring Physicians in or near Boston include: Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, Johns Hopkins, HCA Healthcare, Veterans Health. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Physician salary in Boston?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Physician salary in Boston?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telemedicine, AI-assisted diagnosis, Concierge medicine) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., MD or DO or Board certification). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Physician in Boston?
MD/DO + residency (3-7 years) is the typical path. However, Boston's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Physician salary figures for Boston are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($229,300) by Boston's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.30× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Boston

Nurse Practitioner →Pharmacist →Registered Nurse →Physical Therapist →Occupational Therapist →Dentist →

Physician Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$294KSeattle, WA$303KWashington, DC$298K

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