2026 Salary — Washington
Updated April 29, 2026
Physician Salary in Washington: $264K Median
Physicians in Washington earn between $201K and $460K per year.
That's +15% above the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Physician salary in Washington is $263,695 per year — +15% above the US national median of $229,300. Salaries range from $201,250 (entry, 25th percentile) to $460,000 (90th percentile). Washington's cost-of-living index is 115. Washington has no state income tax.
Median
$263,695
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$230,000
Experienced
$402,500
Top 10%
$460,000
About Physicians in Washington
Physicians diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and provide preventive care. Specialties range widely in compensation.
Hot 2026 Skills
TelemedicineAI-assisted diagnosisConcierge medicineSpecialty practiceEHR efficiency
ATS Keywords
MDboard certifiedpatient careEHR (Epic)clinical researchspecialtyresidency
Physician Salary in Washington Metros
Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle | $302,676 |
How to Negotiate Your Physician Salary in Washington
Walk-away anchor: $239,723.
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
Negotiate Beyond Base
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
Physician Salary FAQ — Washington
What is the average Physician salary in Washington?
The average Physician salary in Washington is $263,695 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $201,250 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $460,000 (90th percentile). Washington has no state income tax — increasing take-home meaningfully.
How does Physician pay in Washington compare to the US average?
Physicians in Washington earn approximately 15% more than the US national median ($229,300 nationally vs $263,695 in Washington). Washington's cost-of-living index of 115 partially offsets the higher salary.
Did Physician salaries in Washington increase in 2026?
Yes — Physician salaries in Washington grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $39,954 in 2025 to $263,695 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telemedicine and AI-assisted diagnosis demand.
Which Washington cities pay Physicians the most?
Top-paying Washington metros for Physicians: Seattle ($303K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Physicians in Washington?
Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+. Washington's top industries include Tech (Amazon, Microsoft), Aerospace (Boeing), Agriculture, and the state's unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
Does Washington have state income tax?
No, Washington has no state income tax. This significantly boosts take-home pay vs comparable salaries in tax states like California or New York. At $263,695, you keep all of it (after federal + FICA).
What skills are most in demand for Physicians in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Telemedicine, AI-assisted diagnosis, Concierge medicine, Specialty practice, EHR efficiency. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Washington employers.
How can I increase my Physician salary in Washington?
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? Beyond base, negotiate: 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%). Walk-away anchor for Washington: $239,723.
Methodology
Washington Physician salary is the BLS national median ($229,300) adjusted by Washington's state multiplier (1.15×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Physician Salary in Other States
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