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

Physician Salary in Sacramento: $248K Median

Physicians in Sacramento, CA earn between $189K and $432K per year.

That's +8% above the US national median of $229,300 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physician salary in Sacramento, CA is $247,644 per year — +8% above the US national median of $229,300. Salaries range from $189,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $432,000 (90th percentile). Physicians in Sacramento earned approximately $37,522 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$247,644
+560.0% YoY · $20,637/mo
Entry
$216,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$378,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$432,000
Senior/lead

Free ATS scan · Sacramento employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Physicians in Sacramento

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

Sacramento Job Market

California state capital with growing tech sector.

Population
524K
Cost of Living
130
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$525K

Top Industries in Sacramento

GovernmentHealthcareTechEducationReal Estate

Top Employers Hiring Physicians

Major employers active in Sacramento 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 — Sacramento

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$189,000$247,644$432,000
Monthly$15,750$20,637$36,000
Weekly$3,635$4,762$8,308
Hourly$91$119$208

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($229,300) adjusted for Sacramento's cost-of-living multiplier (1.08×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physician Take-Home Pay in Sacramento

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$167,877.462
Per month$13,990
Biweekly paycheck$6,457
Effective tax rate32.2%

Tax Breakdown on $247,644

Gross salary$247,644
Federal income tax$51,637.08
California state tax$13,620.42
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)$14,509.038
Take-home (net)$167,877.462

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 — Sacramento

Career-stage progression for Physicians in Sacramento.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$198,720
2–3 yr$216,000
4–6 yr$297,000
7–10 yr$378,000
11–15 yr$446,040
15+ yr$405,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Sacramento's 1.08× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$37,522
2026 median:$247,644
Change:+$210,122

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
$190,495
Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.

How to Negotiate Your Physician Salary in Sacramento

Walk-away anchor: $225,131 (offers below this are below market for Sacramento).

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 $378K$432K for experienced roles, citing Sacramento market data and your specific Telemedicine/AI-assisted diagnosis expertise.

Physician Salary FAQ — Sacramento

What is the average Physician salary in Sacramento, CA?
The average Physician salary in Sacramento is $247,644 per year as of April 2026 — $20,637/month, $4,762/week, or about $119/hour. Salaries range from $189,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $432,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Sacramento's cost-of-living multiplier (1.08×).
Is $247,644 a good Physician salary in Sacramento?
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. Sacramento's cost-of-living index is 130 (vs 100 nationally), giving $247,644 a real purchasing power of approximately $190,495 in national terms. Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.
Can you live on $247,644 in Sacramento?
Dual-income households are functionally required to raise a family at this cost level. Single earners on the median typically rent rather than buy and delay starting a family. Many residents spend 35-40% of pre-tax income on rent here, but the textbook target is still 30%. Going above 35% will materially crimp retirement and emergency savings. For Sacramento specifically (median home price $525,000), a $247,644 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $247,644 enough for a single person in Sacramento?
A single adult in Sacramento typically needs ~$58,500 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $247,644 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $247,644 enough for a couple in Sacramento?
A couple (one earner) in Sacramento typically needs ~$93,600 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $247,644 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $247,644 each ($495,288 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $247,644 enough for a family of 4 in Sacramento?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Sacramento typically needs ~$143,000 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $247,644 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 Sacramento typically run $20K-$36K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physician in Sacramento?
On a $247,644 Physician salary in Sacramento, CA, you take home approximately $167,877.462 per year ($13,990/month, $6,457 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $51,637.08, state $13,620.42, FICA $14,509.038. Effective tax rate: 32.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physicians in Sacramento earn compared to the US average?
Physicians in Sacramento earn approximately 8% more than the US national median for this role ($229,300 nationally vs $247,644 in Sacramento). However, Sacramento's cost-of-living index of 130 means real purchasing power is approximately $190,495 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physician earn in Sacramento?
Entry-level Physicians in Sacramento typically start at around $216,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physicians earn $378,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $432,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physician salaries in Sacramento increase in 2026?
Yes — Physician salaries in Sacramento grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $37,522 in 2025 to $247,644 in 2026 (+$210,122). 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 Sacramento?
Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+. Sacramento's top industries include Government, Healthcare, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — 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 Sacramento.
Who are the top employers hiring Physicians in Sacramento?
Top employers hiring Physicians in or near Sacramento 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 Sacramento?
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 Sacramento?
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 Sacramento?
MD/DO + residency (3-7 years) is the typical path. However, Sacramento'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 Sacramento are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($229,300) by Sacramento's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.08× — 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.

Land a $248K+ Physician Role in Sacramento

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