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

Physician Salary in Tucson: $206K Median

Physicians in Tucson, AZ earn between $158K and $360K per year.

That's -10% below the US national median of $229,300 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physician salary in Tucson, AZ is $206,370 per year — -10% below the US national median of $229,300. Salaries range from $157,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $360,000 (90th percentile). Physicians in Tucson earned approximately $31,268 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$206,370
+560.0% YoY · $17,198/mo
Entry
$180,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$315,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$360,000
Senior/lead
Physician Salary — Tucson vs Nearby
Tucson
$206K
Phoenix
$229K
-10% vs Tucson
Mesa
$225K
-8% vs Tucson
Jacksonville
$211K
-2% vs Tucson

Free ATS scan · Tucson employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Physicians in Tucson

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

Tucson Job Market

Defense and aerospace hub adjacent to major military bases.

Population
542K
Cost of Living
95
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4%
Median Home
$325K

Top Industries in Tucson

HealthcareDefenseAerospaceTechEducation

Top Employers Hiring Physicians

Major employers active in Tucson 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 — Tucson

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$157,500$206,370$360,000
Monthly$13,125$17,198$30,000
Weekly$3,029$3,969$6,923
Hourly$76$99$173

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($229,300) adjusted for Tucson's cost-of-living multiplier (0.90×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physician Take-Home Pay in Tucson

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$148,428.385
Per month$12,369
Biweekly paycheck$5,709
Effective tax rate28.1%

Tax Breakdown on $206,370

Gross salary$206,370
Federal income tax−$38,871.8
Arizona state tax−$5,159.25
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$13,910.565
Take-home (net)$148,428.385

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 — Tucson

Career-stage progression for Physicians in Tucson.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$165,600
2–3 yr$180,000
4–6 yr$247,500
7–10 yr$315,000
11–15 yr$371,700
15+ yr$337,500

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Tucson's 0.90× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$31,268
2026 median:$206,370
Change:+$175,102

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
$217,232
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Physician Salary in Tucson

Walk-away anchor: $187,609 (offers below this are below market for Tucson).

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 $315K–$360K for experienced roles, citing Tucson market data and your specific Telemedicine/AI-assisted diagnosis expertise.

Physician Salary FAQ — Tucson

What is the average Physician salary in Tucson, AZ?
The average Physician salary in Tucson is $206,370 per year as of April 2026 — $17,198/month, $3,969/week, or about $99/hour. Salaries range from $157,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $360,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Tucson's cost-of-living multiplier (0.90×).
Is $206,370 a good Physician salary in Tucson?
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. Tucson's cost-of-living index is 95 (vs 100 nationally), giving $206,370 a real purchasing power of approximately $217,232 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $206,370 in Tucson?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Tucson specifically (median home price $325,000), a $206,370 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $206,370 enough for a single person in Tucson?
A single adult in Tucson typically needs ~$42,750 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $206,370 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $206,370 enough for a couple in Tucson?
A couple (one earner) in Tucson typically needs ~$68,400 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $206,370 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $206,370 each ($412,740 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $206,370 enough for a family of 4 in Tucson?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Tucson typically needs ~$104,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $206,370 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 Tucson typically run $14K-$27K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physician in Tucson?
On a $206,370 Physician salary in Tucson, AZ, you take home approximately $148,428.385 per year ($12,369/month, $5,709 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $38,871.8, state $5,159.25, FICA $13,910.565. Effective tax rate: 28.1%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physicians in Tucson earn compared to the US average?
Physicians in Tucson earn approximately 10% less than the US national median for this role ($229,300 nationally vs $206,370 in Tucson). However, Tucson's cost-of-living index of 95 means real purchasing power is approximately $217,232 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physician earn in Tucson?
Entry-level Physicians in Tucson typically start at around $180,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physicians earn $315,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $360,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physician salaries in Tucson increase in 2026?
Yes — Physician salaries in Tucson grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $31,268 in 2025 to $206,370 in 2026 (+$175,102). 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 Tucson?
Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+. Tucson's top industries include Healthcare, Defense, Aerospace, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4% — 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 Tucson.
Who are the top employers hiring Physicians in Tucson?
Top employers hiring Physicians in or near Tucson 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 Tucson?
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 Tucson?
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 Tucson?
MD/DO + residency (3-7 years) is the typical path. However, Tucson'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 Tucson are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($229,300) by Tucson's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.90× — 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 Tucson

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$213KMemphis, TN$202KOklahoma City, OK$202KLas Vegas, NV$218K

Land a $206K+ Physician Role in Tucson

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