How Much Doctors Earn in Every State

A good doctor can be your best friend when you are ill and want to get better. Most of us would agree that the best doctors are worth their weight in gold.

That’s even more true during a pandemic, when doctors literally stand between life and death.

And in some states, the earnings of a general internal medicine physician glitter more than in other locations.

Such doctors in South Dakota lead the gold rush, making an average of $281,590 per year, according to data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, Georgia’s internal medicine physicians make a relatively paltry average of $95,690 — the lowest state average in the nation.

The national average annual wage for internal medicine doctors, or internists, is $201,440. That’s more than double the national average for nurse practitioners — $77,460 — as we recently reported in “How Much Nurses Make in Every State.”

Here is what the average internal medicine doctor makes in each state and the District of Columbia:

1. South Dakota: $281,590
2. New Mexico: $280,620
3. Wyoming: $273,570
4. North Dakota: $266,540
5. Indiana: $257,270
6. North Carolina: $256,000
7. Nevada: $253,920
8. Wisconsin: $253,900
9. Nebraska: $249,510
10. South Carolina: $248,760
11. Minnesota: $242,390
12. New Hampshire: $241,240
13. Maine: $239,460
14. Oregon: $237,910
15. Hawaii: $235,770
16. Virginia: $234,220
17. Massachusetts: $232,970
18. Utah: $230,170
19. Alaska: $230,160
20. Pennsylvania: $227,650
21. Washington: $224,940
22. New Jersey: $220,790
23. Mississippi: $218,830
24. Arizona: $218,630
25. Iowa: $216,910
26. Missouri: $216,350
27. Alabama: $213,790
28. California: $212,510
29. Illinois: $211,950
30. Kansas: $211,770
31. Kentucky: $209,700
32. Delaware: $208,750
33. Vermont: $207,920
34. Connecticut: $206,200
35. Florida: $204,690
36. Maryland: $203,270
37. Montana: $202,100
38. Tennessee: $199,720
39. Ohio: $196,860
40. Colorado: $195,190
41. Oklahoma: $190,030
42. Louisiana: $188,650
43. New York: $188,370
44. Idaho: $173,190
45. Rhode Island: $171,280
46. Michigan: $171,210
47. District of Columbia: $165,080
48. Texas: $160,180
49. Arkansas: $146,900
50. West Virginia: $146,840
51. Georgia: $95,690

Few of us would be surprised to see doctors pulling in such hefty incomes. As the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes, doctors and surgeons face daunting education and training requirements.

Typically, they start with a bachelor’s degree, then earn a degree from a medical school before spending three to seven years in internship and residency training programs. That can amount to anywhere from 11 to 15 years of education.

Wages for physicians and surgeons are among the highest of all occupations, the BLS notes. And the career path also offers long-term job security. It is expected to grow 7% between 2018 and 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.

Following a doctor’s advice not only can save your life, but it also protects your pocketbook. For learn more, check out “How Following Your Doctor’s Advice Can Save You $89,000.”