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2026 Salary Data — Los Angeles, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Physician Salary in Los Angeles: $294K Median

Physicians in Los Angeles, CA earn between $224K and $512K per year.

That's +28% above the US national median of $229,300 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physician salary in Los Angeles, CA is $293,504 per year — +28% above the US national median of $229,300. Salaries range from $224,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $512,000 (90th percentile). Physicians in Los Angeles earned approximately $44,470 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$293,504
+560.0% YoY · $24,459/mo
Entry
$256,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$448,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$512,000
Senior/lead

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About Physicians in Los Angeles

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

Los Angeles Job Market

Entertainment capital with growing tech sector ("Silicon Beach") and major aerospace industry.

Population
3979K
Cost of Living
173
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5.1%
Median Home
$950K

Top Industries in Los Angeles

EntertainmentAerospaceTechHealthcareTourism

Top Employers Hiring Physicians

Major employers active in Los Angeles 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 — Los Angeles

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$224,000$293,504$512,000
Monthly$18,667$24,459$42,667
Weekly$4,308$5,644$9,846
Hourly$108$141$246

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($229,300) adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physician Take-Home Pay in Los Angeles

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$195,023.622
Per month$16,252
Biweekly paycheck$7,501
Effective tax rate33.6%

Tax Breakdown on $293,504

Gross salary$293,504
Federal income tax$67,163.65
California state tax$16,142.72
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)$15,174.008
Take-home (net)$195,023.622

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 — Los Angeles

Career-stage progression for Physicians in Los Angeles.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$235,520
2–3 yr$256,000
4–6 yr$352,000
7–10 yr$448,000
11–15 yr$528,640
15+ yr$480,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Los Angeles's 1.28× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$44,470
2026 median:$293,504
Change:+$249,034

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
$169,655
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 Los Angeles

Walk-away anchor: $266,822 (offers below this are below market for Los Angeles).

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 $448K$512K for experienced roles, citing Los Angeles market data and your specific Telemedicine/AI-assisted diagnosis expertise.

Physician Salary FAQ — Los Angeles

What is the average Physician salary in Los Angeles, CA?
The average Physician salary in Los Angeles is $293,504 per year as of April 2026 — $24,459/month, $5,644/week, or about $141/hour. Salaries range from $224,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $512,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×).
Is $293,504 a good Physician salary in Los Angeles?
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. Los Angeles's cost-of-living index is 173 (vs 100 nationally), giving $293,504 a real purchasing power of approximately $169,655 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 $293,504 in Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles specifically (median home price $950,000), a $293,504 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $293,504 enough for a single person in Los Angeles?
A single adult in Los Angeles typically needs ~$77,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $293,504 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $293,504 enough for a couple in Los Angeles?
A couple (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$124,560 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $293,504 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $293,504 each ($587,008 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $293,504 enough for a family of 4 in Los Angeles?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$190,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $293,504 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 Los Angeles typically run $26K-$48K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physician in Los Angeles?
On a $293,504 Physician salary in Los Angeles, CA, you take home approximately $195,023.622 per year ($16,252/month, $7,501 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $67,163.65, state $16,142.72, FICA $15,174.008. Effective tax rate: 33.6%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physicians in Los Angeles earn compared to the US average?
Physicians in Los Angeles earn approximately 28% more than the US national median for this role ($229,300 nationally vs $293,504 in Los Angeles). However, Los Angeles's cost-of-living index of 173 means real purchasing power is approximately $169,655 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physician earn in Los Angeles?
Entry-level Physicians in Los Angeles typically start at around $256,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physicians earn $448,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $512,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physician salaries in Los Angeles increase in 2026?
Yes — Physician salaries in Los Angeles grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $44,470 in 2025 to $293,504 in 2026 (+$249,034). 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 Los Angeles?
Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+. Los Angeles's top industries include Entertainment, Aerospace, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5.1% — steady demand for skilled workers.
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 Los Angeles.
Who are the top employers hiring Physicians in Los Angeles?
Top employers hiring Physicians in or near Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
MD/DO + residency (3-7 years) is the typical path. However, Los Angeles'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 Los Angeles are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($229,300) by Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.28× — 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.

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