Healthcare Salary Guide 2026: Nurses, Doctors & Allied Health
A projected shortage of 250,000 nurses by 2030. Physician compensation rising 3.2% annually. Nurse practitioners growing at 35% — fastest of any major profession. Healthcare salaries are under pressure from every direction. Here is exactly where every major role stands in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- →RN median: $93,600 (BLS May 2024); California RNs average $140,000+ — the highest state — versus $59,540 in South Dakota and Mississippi
- →Physician average compensation reached $386,000 in 2026 per Medscape — up 3.2% YoY. Orthopedic surgeons lead at $795,000; 8 specialties topped $500,000
- →Nurse practitioners average $144,509 (Clinical Advisor 2025); BLS projects 35% job growth for NPs through 2034 — far above any other major profession
- →Travel nurses earn $2,300+/week vs. $1,800/week for staff RNs — a 28% premium that persists despite post-COVID normalization
- →CRNAs (nurse anesthetists) are the highest-paid nursing role at $220,000+ median — surpassing many physician specialties
The Structural Pressure Driving Healthcare Wages in 2026
Healthcare compensation in 2026 is shaped by a fundamental imbalance: the US workforce is aging, increasing demand for healthcare services, while the healthcare workforce pipeline cannot keep pace. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook projects that registered nurse employment will grow 5% through 2034 — adding approximately 177,000 positions — but industry data suggests actual demand growth will significantly outpace that figure.
The projected shortfall is 250,000+ RNs by 2030, according to statistics compiled by The World Data from American Association of Colleges of Nursing research. This structural imbalance is the single most important context for understanding healthcare salary data: wages in nursing and advanced practice roles are under upward pressure from shortage dynamics, even when individual nurses report modest or no raises in annual surveys.
Physician compensation tells a different story — supply is constrained by the length and cost of medical training, not primarily by graduation pipeline issues, but access to primary care is worsening as physicians concentrate in specialties paying $400,000–$800,000. The growth of nurse practitioners and physician assistants as primary care substitutes is reshaping compensation dynamics across the entire sector.
Use our Paycheck Calculator to model take-home pay for any healthcare salary after federal and state taxes, or Salary Calculator to convert hourly nursing rates to annual figures.
2026 Healthcare Salary: All Major Roles at a Glance
The table below draws on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024 data (employer-reported, the most statistically rigorous source), the Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2026, the American Academy of Physician Associates 2026 Salary Report, and the Clinical Advisor NP Compensation Survey. All figures represent the US national median unless otherwise noted.
| Role | Median Annual | 10th–90th Pctile | Job Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | $220,000+ | $160K–$285K | +38% |
| Physician (All Specialties Avg) | $386,000 | $298K–$795K | +4% |
| Physician Assistant (PA) | $133,260 | $97K–$174K | +20% |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $132,050 | $98K–$170K | +35% |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $93,600 | $63K–$130K+ | +5% |
| Physical Therapist (PT) | $101,020 | $63K–$129K | +11% |
| Occupational Therapist (OT) | $98,340 | $63K–$126K | +11% |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,450 | $55K–$104K | +13% |
| Radiologic Technologist | $77,660 | $53K–$100K | +2% |
| Healthcare Administrator | ~$94,000 | $63K–$122K | +28% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,200 | $35K–$58K | +12% |
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2024 (employer-reported, published 2025) for all nursing and allied health roles; Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2026 for physician figures; AAPA 2026 for PA data; Clinical Advisor 2025 NP Compensation Survey.
Registered Nurse Salary: The State Gap Is $80,000
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national median annual wage of $93,600 for registered nurses, based on the May 2024 OEWS employer survey. The mean (average) annual wage is slightly higher at approximately $98,430. But the state-by-state variation is staggering — and it is the most important practical data point for nurses considering relocation or travel assignments.
California pays the highest RN wages nationally, with average salaries exceeding $140,000 — driven by a combination of high cost of living, strong union representation through the California Nurses Association, and state legislation setting strict nurse-to-patient ratios that create persistent demand for RNs. Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska all deliver six-figure average RN salaries. Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Minnesota round out the top tier.
At the other end, South Dakota and Mississippi average approximately $59,540 in RN wages — less than half of California. The $80,000+ gap between the highest and lowest-paying states is the largest absolute state wage gap for any major profession tracked by BLS. For nurses willing to relocate or pursue travel nursing assignments, geographic arbitrage is the single most powerful compensation strategy available.
RN Salary by State: Highest and Lowest (2026)
Source: Nurse.org Highest Paying States for RNs 2026; Research.com Nursing Salary by State 2026
Despite the shortage narrative, actual 2025–2026 pay increases for staff nurses have been modest. A Nurse.org compensation survey found 44% of nurses received raises of just 1–5%, 6% received 6–10% raises, and 4% saw increases above 10%. Critically, 34% received no raise and 11% saw their pay decrease. The shortage has inflated travel nurse wages and signing bonuses rather than uniformly lifting staff nurse wages — an important distinction for benchmarking.
Financially, 37% of nurses could not cover a $1,000 emergency without debt, and 26% say income barely covers monthly essentials — data from Nurse.org's 2026 financial stress survey — suggesting that despite headline salary figures that look strong, many nurses in lower-paying states or lower-paying specialties face real financial strain.
Physician Salary by Specialty: The $500,000+ Club
Physician compensation reached a new milestone in 2026. The Medscape Physician Compensation Report — the most comprehensive annual physician salary survey in the US — found the overall average physician compensation was $386,000, up 3.2% from $374,000 in 2025. Eight specialties exceeded $500,000 in total compensation, and 53% of physicians reported feeling fairly compensated (up from 48% in 2025).
| Specialty | Average Compensation | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Orthopedic Surgery | $795,000 | Surgical Specialist |
| Plastic Surgery | $554,000 | Surgical Specialist |
| Cardiology | $550,000 | Medical Specialist |
| Anesthesiology | $535,000 | Medical Specialist |
| All Specialists Average | $417,000 | Aggregate |
| All Physicians Average | $386,000 | Overall |
| Primary Care Average | $298,000 | Primary Care |
Source: Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2026; Becker's ASC Physician Pay 2026 Data.
The gender pay gap in medicine remains significant. Medscape's 2026 data shows male physicians earn approximately $102,000 more on average than female physicians — a 31% advantage. This gap persists after controlling for specialty mix, though specialty concentration (women are disproportionately represented in lower-paying primary care) explains a portion of the differential. It does not explain all of it.
Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants: The Best Value in Healthcare Careers
If you are evaluating healthcare career paths from a pure ROI perspective, nurse practitioners and physician assistants represent the strongest risk-adjusted compensation profiles in the industry. Both roles deliver six-figure median salaries, projected job growth far above any other major profession, and substantially shorter education timelines than physicians.
Nurse Practitioner: $132,050 Median, 35% Growth
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $129,210–$132,050 for nurse practitioners (May 2024 OEWS, range reflecting published confidence intervals). The Clinical Advisor's 2025 NP Compensation Survey, which focuses specifically on practicing NPs, found a higher average of $144,509 — up significantly from $132,707 in 2024. California NPs command the highest state wages at $138,660 average; Washington averages $126,920 and New Jersey $123,810.
The BLS projects 35% job growth for nurse practitioners through 2034 — the fastest projected growth rate of any major profession. The driver is structural: NPs are being deployed as primary care access expands in rural areas, retail clinics, and telehealth settings where physician access is limited. Twenty-six states now grant NPs full practice authority, allowing them to practice without physician oversight — which directly accelerates hiring.
Physician Assistant: $133,260 Median, 20% Growth
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $133,260 for physician assistants (BLS hourly: $64.07). The American Academy of Physician Associates 2026 Salary Report puts median total compensation at $140,000 with a median hourly rate of $75.00. PAs work across all medical specialties — surgical PA positions consistently command premium wages, often approaching or exceeding $150,000–$180,000 in surgical subspecialties. The BLS projects 20% job growth through 2034 — five times the national average.
Travel Nurse Salary vs. Staff Nurse: The Premium Breakdown
The travel nursing market peaked during the COVID pandemic with some ICU nurses earning $4,000+ per week. Rates have normalized since then, but the travel premium over staff positions remains substantial and persistent. Per Betternurse.org's 2025 Travel Nursing Statistics, travel nurses earn approximately $2,300 per week on average — versus approximately $1,800 per week for staff RNs at the same experience level — a 28% premium.
Travel vs. Staff Nurse Compensation Comparison (2026)
| Metric | Staff RN | Travel Nurse |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $93,600 | $119,600–$179,000 |
| Avg weekly pay (2026) | ~$1,800 | ~$2,300+ |
| ICU/ER specialties | $1,900–$2,100 | $3,000+ |
| Additional benefits | Standard | Housing + travel + signing bonus |
Sources: Betternurse.org Travel Nursing Statistics 2025; AMN Healthcare Travel Nurse Job Outlook 2025; BLS OEWS RN median.
The travel nursing market reached $14.2 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow modestly to $14.3 billion in 2026, per AMN Healthcare's market outlook. Travel nurses take on inherent tradeoffs: less job stability, no long-term employer relationships, geographic disruption, and variable benefits between assignments. For nurses prioritizing income maximization, particularly those without geographic constraints, travel nursing remains the highest-earning strategy available.
Use the Paycheck Calculator to compare the after-tax take-home of a staff RN salary versus an annualized travel nursing rate in different states — the state tax treatment of housing stipends and the lack of state income tax in travel destinations like Texas and Florida meaningfully changes the real compensation calculus.
Allied Health Salaries: PT, OT, Respiratory, Radiology
Allied health professionals occupy the middle tier of healthcare compensation — above medical assistants and LPNs, below NPs, PAs, and physicians. All BLS figures below are from the May 2024 OEWS employer survey, the most current published data.
Physical Therapists ($101,020 median): PTs consistently earn just above the $100,000 threshold, with strong demand in outpatient orthopedics, sports medicine, and home health. The BLS projects 11% job growth through 2034. Geographic variation is significant — PT wages in California and Washington exceed $120,000, while rural markets in the Southeast average $80,000–$90,000.
Occupational Therapists ($98,340 median): OT wages closely track PT, with similar demand drivers around aging population and rehabilitation needs. School-based OT positions represent a growing segment with strong job security. The BLS projects 11% growth through 2034 for this category as well.
Respiratory Therapists ($80,450 median): Respiratory therapists earned a COVID-era premium that has partially normalized but remains elevated compared to pre-pandemic benchmarks. Hospital-based RT positions in ICU and critical care settings earn at the high end of the range, typically $90,000–$104,000. The BLS projects 13% job growth through 2034.
Radiologic Technologists ($77,660 median): Radiology techs face flatter growth than other allied health roles — the BLS projects 2% growth through 2034 as AI-assisted imaging tools begin to expand capacity. However, MRI technology specialists earn substantially more, with Tesla MR Institute citing 2026 MRI tech wages 15–25% above general radiology tech figures. Specialization in CT, PET/CT, or interventional radiology also commands premium pay.
Healthcare Administrator Salary: The Business Side of Medicine
Healthcare administrators — including hospital executives, practice managers, and health system directors — span a wide salary range depending on organization size and role scope. ZipRecruiter's 2026 data puts the average healthcare administrator salary at $94,639; Glassdoor's sample of 2026 submissions, which includes more senior executive roles, shows an average of $147,530.
The BLS projects 28% job growth for healthcare administrators through 2034 — driven by the ongoing consolidation of healthcare systems, increasing regulatory complexity, and the expansion of healthcare delivery into new settings (telehealth, retail clinics, home health). Entry-level healthcare management roles start around $49,000; experienced hospital administrators at major health systems earn $150,000–$300,000+.
For clinicians considering a transition to administration, the compensation trajectory is strong but the income ceiling is lower than remaining in advanced clinical practice as a CRNA or surgical PA. Many healthcare administrators hold MHA or MBA degrees — which add earning potential but also time and cost to the credential path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average nurse salary in 2026?
The BLS reports a national median of $93,600 for RNs (May 2024 OEWS). Mean annual wage is ~$98,430. The range is wide: $63,000 at the 10th percentile to $130,000+ at the 90th percentile. State matters enormously — California RNs average $140,000+ while South Dakota and Mississippi average ~$59,540, an $80,000 gap that makes relocation or travel nursing the highest-ROI compensation strategy for most nurses.
How much do doctors earn on average in 2026?
Medscape's 2026 Physician Compensation Report found an overall average of $386,000 — up 3.2% from 2025. Primary care physicians average $298,000; specialists $417,000. Orthopedic surgeons lead at $795,000. Eight specialties topped $500,000. Male physicians earn approximately $102,000 more on average than female physicians — a 31% gap that persists in the Medscape data.
What is a nurse practitioner salary in 2026?
BLS reports a median of $132,050 for NPs (May 2024 OEWS). The Clinical Advisor 2025 NP Compensation Survey found an average of $144,509 among practicing NPs — up from $132,707 in 2024. California NPs average the highest at $138,660. The BLS projects 35% job growth through 2034, making NP the strongest combined salary + growth profession in healthcare by most metrics.
Do travel nurses make more than staff nurses?
Yes — travel nurses average $2,300+/week versus ~$1,800/week for staff RNs, a 28% premium. ICU/ER travel nurses command $3,000+/week. Annualized, that translates to $119,600–$179,000 versus the $93,600 staff RN median. Travel nurses also receive housing stipends, travel reimbursements, and signing bonuses. The tradeoffs are real — less stability, no long-term employment relationships, geographic disruption.
What allied health roles have the best salary outlook?
CRNAs dominate at $220,000+ median — higher than many physician specialties. Beyond CRNAs, PTs ($101,020) and OTs ($98,340) both project 11% job growth with strong demand from the aging population. Respiratory therapists show 13% projected growth. Radiologic technologists face the flattest outlook at 2% growth as AI imaging tools expand capacity — specialization in MRI or interventional radiology is the clearest hedge.
See Your Healthcare Salary Take-Home by State
A California RN salary looks different after 9.3% state income tax. Compare real take-home across states and evaluate whether a travel assignment or relocation actually improves your net pay.