90% OFF - $9.99
11:59:59
Claim Lifetime Deal
2026 Salary Data — Columbus, OH
Updated April 28, 2026

Physician Salary in Columbus: $222K Median

Physicians in Columbus, OH earn between $170K and $388K per year.

That's -3% below the US national median of $229,300 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physician salary in Columbus, OH is $222,421 per year — -3% below the US national median of $229,300. Salaries range from $169,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $388,000 (90th percentile). Physicians in Columbus earned approximately $33,700 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$222,421
+560.0% YoY · $18,535/mo
Entry
$194,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$339,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$388,000
Senior/lead
Physician Salary — Columbus vs Nearby
Columbus
$222K
Cleveland
$211K
+5% vs Columbus
Albuquerque
$206K
+8% vs Columbus
San Antonio
$213K
+4% vs Columbus

Free ATS scan · Columbus employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Physicians in Columbus

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

Columbus Job Market

Mid-size hub with major Intel semiconductor investment underway.

Population
906K
Cost of Living
93
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.9%
Median Home
$280K

Top Industries in Columbus

InsuranceFinanceTech (Intel fab)HealthcareEducation

Top Employers Hiring Physicians

Major employers active in Columbus 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 — Columbus

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$169,750$222,421$388,000
Monthly$14,146$18,535$32,333
Weekly$3,264$4,277$7,462
Hourly$82$107$187

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($229,300) adjusted for Columbus's cost-of-living multiplier (0.97×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physician Take-Home Pay in Columbus

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$153,590.926
Per month$12,799
Biweekly paycheck$5,907
Effective tax rate30.9%

Tax Breakdown on $222,421

Gross salary$222,421
Federal income tax−$43,565.72
Ohio state tax−$5,560.525
Columbus local tax−$5,560.525
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$14,143.305
Take-home (net)$153,590.926

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 — Columbus

Career-stage progression for Physicians in Columbus.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$178,480
2–3 yr$194,000
4–6 yr$266,750
7–10 yr$339,500
11–15 yr$400,610
15+ yr$363,750

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Columbus's 0.97× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$33,700
2026 median:$222,421
Change:+$188,721

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
$239,162
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Physician Salary in Columbus

Walk-away anchor: $202,201 (offers below this are below market for Columbus).

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 $340K–$388K for experienced roles, citing Columbus market data and your specific Telemedicine/AI-assisted diagnosis expertise.

Physician Salary FAQ — Columbus

What is the average Physician salary in Columbus, OH?
The average Physician salary in Columbus is $222,421 per year as of April 2026 — $18,535/month, $4,277/week, or about $107/hour. Salaries range from $169,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $388,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Columbus's cost-of-living multiplier (0.97×).
Is $222,421 a good Physician salary in Columbus?
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. Columbus's cost-of-living index is 93 (vs 100 nationally), giving $222,421 a real purchasing power of approximately $239,162 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $222,421 in Columbus?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Columbus specifically (median home price $280,000), a $222,421 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $222,421 enough for a single person in Columbus?
A single adult in Columbus typically needs ~$41,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $222,421 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $222,421 enough for a couple in Columbus?
A couple (one earner) in Columbus typically needs ~$66,960 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $222,421 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $222,421 each ($444,842 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $222,421 enough for a family of 4 in Columbus?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Columbus typically needs ~$102,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $222,421 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 Columbus typically run $14K-$26K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physician in Columbus?
On a $222,421 Physician salary in Columbus, OH, you take home approximately $153,590.926 per year ($12,799/month, $5,907 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $43,565.72, state $5,560.525, local $5,560.525, FICA $14,143.305. Effective tax rate: 30.9%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physicians in Columbus earn compared to the US average?
Physicians in Columbus earn approximately 3% less than the US national median for this role ($229,300 nationally vs $222,421 in Columbus). However, Columbus's cost-of-living index of 93 means real purchasing power is approximately $239,162 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physician earn in Columbus?
Entry-level Physicians in Columbus typically start at around $194,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physicians earn $339,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $388,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physician salaries in Columbus increase in 2026?
Yes — Physician salaries in Columbus grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $33,700 in 2025 to $222,421 in 2026 (+$188,721). 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 Columbus?
Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+. Columbus's top industries include Insurance, Finance, Tech (Intel fab), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.9% — 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 Columbus.
Who are the top employers hiring Physicians in Columbus?
Top employers hiring Physicians in or near Columbus 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 Columbus?
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 Columbus?
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 Columbus?
MD/DO + residency (3-7 years) is the typical path. However, Columbus'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 Columbus are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($229,300) by Columbus's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.97× — 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 Columbus

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

Physician Salary in Other Cities

Phoenix, AZ$229KSan Antonio, TX$213KJacksonville, FL$211KIndianapolis, IN$213KDetroit, MI$213KNashville, TN$229KLas Vegas, NV$218KMilwaukee, WI$218K

Land a $222K+ Physician Role in Columbus

Knowing the salary is step one. Step two: getting past the ATS. CVCraft scans your resume, finds missing keywords, and fixes formatting issues in 60 seconds.

Scan My Resume Free

No signup required · Works for all Healthcare roles