Embarking on a career in medicine is a journey of immense dedication, rigorous training, and profound impact. After medical school, the next critical step is residency—a multi-year period of hands-on training that shapes you into a specialized, practicing physician. A common and practical question for aspiring doctors is: "What can I expect to earn during this demanding period?"
While the journey to becoming a fully licensed physician is long, the compensation during residency, though modest compared to a senior doctor's, is a stable stipend that supports you through your training. The average resident doctor in the United States earns approximately $67,400 per year, with salaries typically ranging from $60,000 to over $75,000 depending on a variety of factors.
This guide will break down what a resident doctor does, explore the average salary, and detail the key factors that influence your earnings during this crucial phase of your medical career.
What Does a Resident Doctor Do?
A resident doctor, or medical resident, is a physician who has graduated from medical school with an M.D. or D.O. degree and is now training in a specific medical specialty. Think of this role as a medical apprenticeship. Under the supervision of senior physicians (called attending physicians), residents are on the front lines of patient care in hospitals and clinics.
Their core responsibilities include:
- Diagnosing and treating patients.
- Taking patient histories and conducting physical exams.
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests.
- Developing treatment plans.
- Performing procedures and assisting in surgeries.
- Working long hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, often in high-pressure environments.
Residency is where theoretical knowledge from medical school is forged into practical, life-saving skill. It is an intense but indispensable period of professional growth.
Average Resident Doctor Salary
The salary for a resident doctor is more accurately described as a stipend, intended to cover living expenses during their post-graduate training. It is not reflective of the high six-figure salaries associated with fully licensed, practicing physicians.
According to the 2023 Medscape Resident Salary & Debt Report, one of the most authoritative sources on this topic, the average salary for medical residents in the U.S. is $67,400.
This figure represents a national average, and the typical salary range can be influenced by several factors, which we will explore below. It's important to note that this salary is a starting point, and it consistently increases with each year of completed training.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
While residency salaries don't have the vast range seen in other professions, several key elements can impact your annual earnings. Understanding these can help you evaluate offers from different residency programs.
### Years of Experience / Post-Graduate Year (PGY)
This is the single most significant factor determining a resident's salary. "Experience" for a resident is measured in Post-Graduate Years (PGY). A first-year resident is a PGY-1 (historically called an "intern"), a second-year is a PGY-2, and so on.
Nearly all residency programs use a tiered pay scale, where salary increases incrementally with each year of training. This is a reward for your growing experience, skill, and responsibility.
For example, data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) on Resident/Fellow Stipends shows a clear progression:
- PGY-1: $64,217
- PGY-2: $66,697
- PGY-3: $69,327
- PGY-4: $72,216
*(Source: AAMC 2023-24 Survey of Resident/Fellow Stipends and Benefits Report)*
### Geographic Location
Where you choose to complete your residency plays a crucial role in your salary, primarily due to variations in the cost of living. Programs in major metropolitan areas or states with a high cost of living, like California and New York, tend to offer higher stipends to help residents afford housing and other expenses. Conversely, programs in the Midwest or Southeast may offer lower stipends, but the cost of living is also significantly lower.
According to Glassdoor, resident physician salaries in New York, NY can be 10-15% higher than the national average, while salaries in cities like St. Louis, MO may be closer to or slightly below the national average. When comparing offers, it's essential to analyze the salary in the context of local living costs.
### Hospital Type and Affiliation
The type of institution hosting the residency program can also influence salary. General trends show:
- University-affiliated/Academic Medical Centers: These major teaching hospitals often set the standard for resident salaries in their region. They may offer extensive benefits and research opportunities.
- Community Hospitals (Private or Non-Profit): Salaries at these hospitals are generally competitive with academic centers to attract top talent.
- Government/VA Hospitals: Programs at Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals are funded by the federal government and typically offer salaries and benefits that are competitive with other institutions in the same geographic area.
While salary differences between hospital types are often minor, the benefits packages (health insurance, retirement contributions, meal stipends, etc.) can vary significantly and should be considered part of the overall compensation.
### Area of Specialization
This is a critical point of clarification: During residency, your specialty has very little impact on your salary. A PGY-2 in surgery will earn roughly the same as a PGY-2 in pediatrics at the same institution. Pay is determined by PGY level, not by specialty.
However, the *length* of the residency varies by specialty. A family medicine residency is typically three years, while a neurosurgery residency can be seven years or more. This means a neurosurgery resident will see more of the incremental PGY-level pay increases over a longer period.
The dramatic salary divergence based on specialization occurs *after* you complete residency and become a board-certified attending physician. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), specialists like cardiologists and anesthesiologists have some of the highest median salaries, often exceeding $400,000, while general practitioners like family medicine physicians earn closer to the overall physician median of $229,300.
Job Outlook
The long-term career outlook for physicians and surgeons is exceptionally strong. The investment of time and effort during residency pays significant dividends in career stability and growth.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment for physicians and surgeons is projected to grow 3 percent from 2022 to 2032. This growth is driven by the healthcare needs of a large and aging population and continued expansion in the healthcare industry. This stable demand ensures that the rigorous training you undergo as a resident will lead to a secure and sought-after profession.
Conclusion
Becoming a resident doctor is a challenging yet rewarding rite of passage. While the salary is a modest stipend, it is a stable and reliable income that supports you through a critical period of hands-on learning.
Here are the key takeaways:
- Expect an Average Salary of $67,400: This is a training stipend, not a full physician's salary.
- Pay Increases Every Year: Your salary is primarily determined by your Post-Graduate Year (PGY), with consistent raises for each year of experience gained.
- Location Matters: Programs in high-cost-of-living areas typically offer higher stipends to compensate.
- The Future is Bright: The demanding years of residency are an investment in a highly stable, rewarding, and financially lucrative long-term career.
While residency can be financially lean, especially with medical school debt, view it as the final, essential step toward a profession with immense job security and significant earning potential. It's a temporary sacrifice for a lifetime of opportunity.