The Ultimate Guide to UCLA Resident Salary & A Career at a...

For countless aspiring physicians, the dream isn't just to earn a white coat, but to wear it at an institution synonymous with excellence, innovation, and cutting-edge medicine. The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA represents such a pinnacle. But as the dream of matching at a world-class program comes into focus, practical questions quickly follow. Chief among them is a concern that will define your life for the next three to seven years: "What is the UCLA resident salary?"

This question is about more than just a number on a paycheck. It's about understanding whether you can afford to live in a vibrant but expensive city like Los Angeles. It's about weighing the financial sacrifice of residency against the immense professional rewards. It's about planning your future. While the average salary for a fully licensed physician in the U.S. can range from $200,000 to well over $500,000, a resident's salary is a different story—a standardized, modest stipend that reflects your status as a physician-in-training.

I remember speaking with my cousin during her third year of a grueling surgical residency. She spoke of 80-hour work weeks, life-and-death decisions, and the constant pressure to learn and perform. She also spoke about meticulously budgeting for rent, student loan payments, and the occasional meal out, all on a salary that felt disproportionately small for the responsibility she carried. Yet, she wouldn't have traded the experience, the training, or the name on her hospital badge for anything. Her story underscores a fundamental truth: a residency at a place like UCLA is an investment in your future, paid for with time, effort, and financial discipline.

This guide is designed to be your definitive resource for understanding every facet of a UCLA resident's compensation, career path, and what it truly takes to get there. We will delve deep into the official salary data, analyze the hidden benefits, compare it to the cost of living, and map out the journey from medical student to a highly sought-after attending physician.

### Table of Contents

[What Does a UCLA Medical Resident Do?](#what-does-a-ucla-medical-resident-do)
[UCLA Resident Salary: A Deep Dive](#ucla-resident-salary-a-deep-dive)
[Key Factors That Influence a Resident's Financial Picture](#key-factors-that-influence-a-residents-financial-picture)
[Job Outlook and Career Growth: Life After Residency](#job-outlook-and-career-growth-life-after-residency)
[How to Become a UCLA Resident: A Step-by-Step Guide](#how-to-become-a-ucla-resident-a-step-by-step-guide)
[Conclusion: Is a UCLA Residency Worth It?](#conclusion-is-a-ucla-residency-worth-it)

What Does a UCLA Medical Resident Do?

A medical resident is a physician who has graduated from medical school (with an M.D. or D.O. degree) and is now undertaking supervised, hands-on training in a specific medical specialty. This period, known as Graduate Medical Education (GME), is a mandatory bridge between the theoretical knowledge of medical school and the independent practice of an attending physician. At a major academic medical center like UCLA, residents are the frontline of patient care, the engine of the hospital, and the next generation of medical leaders.

Their role is a unique and demanding blend of learner, teacher, and provider. They work under the supervision of senior residents and fully licensed attending physicians, but they are directly responsible for the day-to-day management of patients.

Core Responsibilities and Daily Tasks:

Direct Patient Care: This is the heart of residency. Residents admit new patients from the emergency department, perform physical exams, develop diagnostic and treatment plans, write orders for medications and tests, and perform medical procedures appropriate for their level of training.
Rounding: Each morning, the medical team—comprising the attending physician, senior resident, junior residents, and medical students—conducts "rounds." They visit each patient, discuss their progress, review new data, and collaboratively decide on the plan for the day. Residents are expected to present their patients succinctly and accurately.
Medical Procedures: Depending on the specialty, residents spend significant time learning and performing procedures. For a surgical resident, this means hours in the operating room, first assisting and then performing surgeries with increasing autonomy. For an internal medicine resident, it could be procedures like central line placements or lumbar punctures.
Documentation: A significant portion of a resident's day is spent on documentation. They write detailed admission notes, daily progress notes, and discharge summaries in the electronic health record (EHR). This is a critical legal and medical responsibility.
On-Call Duties: Residents work long hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. "Being on call" means a resident is responsible for handling any patient issues that arise overnight, from a sudden fever to a cardiac arrest, and for admitting new patients to their service. These shifts are often 24 hours or longer.
Didactics and Learning: Despite the intense clinical workload, residency is fundamentally about education. Residents attend daily noon conferences, weekly grand rounds where complex cases are discussed, and regular lectures specific to their specialty. They are constantly studying to expand their medical knowledge and prepare for board certification exams.

### A "Day in the Life" of a UCLA Internal Medicine Intern (PGY-1)

To make this tangible, here is a plausible snapshot of a day for a first-year resident (intern) on a general medicine ward at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center:

5:00 AM: Wake up. Quickly get ready, grab a coffee, and drive to the hospital.
5:45 AM: Arrive on the floor. Get "sign-out" (a patient handoff) from the overnight resident, learning about any events or new admissions.
6:00 AM - 7:30 AM: "Pre-rounding." You meticulously review the charts, lab results, and imaging for your 8-10 patients. You then visit each patient, perform a focused exam, and formulate your plan for the day before the attending arrives.
7:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Attending Rounds. You present each of your patients to the team. The attending physician asks probing questions, challenges your plan, and teaches key medical concepts. New orders are placed.
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Execution. Now you must implement the plan. This involves calling consultants (like a cardiologist or infectious disease specialist), coordinating with social workers for discharge planning, writing detailed progress notes, and following up on test results.
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM: A quick lunch during noon conference, where a guest lecturer discusses the latest research in endocrinology.
1:30 PM - 5:00 PM: The afternoon is a flurry of activity. A patient might decompensate, requiring immediate attention. You might have to break bad news to a family. You are also responsible for admitting a new, complex patient from the ER.
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Finishing notes and preparing for sign-out. You carefully organize all the information and tasks for the incoming night team to ensure a safe transition of care.
6:30 PM: Sign out to the night resident.
7:00 PM: Head home, eat dinner, and study for an hour before collapsing into bed, ready to do it all again tomorrow.

This grueling schedule is the reality of residency. It is within this crucible of high stakes and long hours that competent, compassionate, and resilient physicians are forged.

UCLA Resident Salary: A Deep Dive

Now, let's address the central query. A resident's salary—more accurately termed a stipend—is not determined by market forces in the same way as other professions. It is set by the institution based on a resident's Post-Graduate Year (PGY) level. A PGY-1 is a first-year resident (intern), a PGY-2 is a second-year resident, and so on.

The salary structure at UCLA is public information, set by the Graduate Medical Education (GME) office. It is standardized across nearly all residency and fellowship programs within the UCLA system.

Official UCLA Health Resident and Fellow Salary Scale (2023-2024 Academic Year)

According to the official GME benefits summary provided by The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the salary scale for the 2023-2024 academic year (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024) is as follows:

| Post-Graduate Year (PGY) Level | Annual Salary | Monthly Salary (Approx.) |

| :----------------------------- | :------------ | :----------------------- |

| PGY-1 (Intern) | $74,015.65 | $6,168 |

| PGY-2 | $76,499.07 | $6,375 |

| PGY-3 | $79,307.39 | $6,609 |

| PGY-4 | $82,107.03 | $6,842 |

| PGY-5 | $84,976.22 | $7,081 |

| PGY-6 | $87,705.42 | $7,309 |

| PGY-7 | $90,578.89 | $7,548 |

| PGY-8 | $94,964.84 | $7,914 |

*Source: UCLA Health Graduate Medical Education (GME) Benefits Summary, 2023-2024.*

As you can see, the salary increases systematically with each year of training, reflecting the resident's growing experience, autonomy, and supervisory responsibilities. A PGY-4 resident, who might be a chief resident or a first-year fellow, earns approximately $8,000 more per year than a PGY-1 intern.

### Beyond the Paycheck: The Total Compensation Package

The annual salary is only one piece of the puzzle. The full compensation package for a UCLA resident is significantly more valuable and is designed to mitigate the high cost of living in Los Angeles.

Housing Stipend: This is one of the most significant benefits. For the 2023-2024 academic year, UCLA provides a $12,000 annual housing stipend, paid out monthly ($1,000/month). This is a crucial, tax-free supplement that directly addresses the notoriously high rental costs in West LA. When comparing salaries between institutions, this stipend is a major differentiating factor.
Meal Allowance: Residents are provided with a meal allowance to be used at hospital cafeterias. This often amounts to several hundred dollars per month, further reducing out-of-pocket living expenses, especially during long call shifts.
Health and Disability Insurance: UCLA provides comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans for residents and their dependents at a very low cost. Critically, they also provide high-quality long-term disability insurance. This is an essential benefit for a physician, protecting their future earning potential in case of injury or illness.
Retirement Savings: Residents are eligible to participate in the University of California's 403(b) and 457(b) retirement savings plans. While there typically isn't a direct employer match for residents, the ability to start saving for retirement early in a tax-advantaged account is a valuable financial benefit.
Professional Development Funds: The GME office provides an annual educational stipend (e.g., ~$500 - $1,000) that can be used for textbooks, medical equipment, conference travel, or board exam fees.
Paid Vacation: Residents are typically entitled to four weeks of paid vacation per year, though scheduling it can be a complex puzzle that must be arranged far in advance.
Licensing and Certification Fees: UCLA often covers the cost of obtaining a California medical license and the fees for major certification exams (like the USMLE Step 3), which can save residents thousands of dollars.

When you add the $12,000 tax-free housing stipend to the base salary, a PGY-1 intern's effective compensation is closer to $86,000. Factoring in the value of insurance, meal allowances, and educational funds, the total package is even more robust. This comprehensive benefits package is a key reason why UCLA remains a top choice for applicants nationwide.

Key Factors That Influence a Resident's Financial Picture

While the base salary at UCLA is rigidly defined by PGY level, several crucial factors dramatically influence a resident's overall financial health, career trajectory, and the relative value of their compensation. Understanding these factors is essential for any applicant considering UCLA or a similar top-tier institution.

###

Level of Education & Training Stage

Within the GME framework, "education level" is synonymous with "training stage." Every resident enters with a doctorate (M.D. or D.O.). The key differentiator is whether you are in your primary residency or an advanced fellowship.

Residency: This is the initial specialty training period. For Internal Medicine or Pediatrics, this is typically three years (PGY-1 to PGY-3). For General Surgery, it's five years (PGY-1 to PGY-5). For Neurosurgery, it can be seven years (PGY-1 to PGY-7).
Fellowship: After completing a primary residency, a physician may choose to sub-specialize through a fellowship. For example, after finishing a 3-year Internal Medicine residency, a doctor might pursue a 3-year Cardiology fellowship. During this time, they are considered a PGY-4, PGY-5, and PGY-6, respectively, and their salary is paid according to that higher PGY level. A first-year cardiology fellow (PGY-4) at UCLA earns ~$82,107, which is significantly more than a first-year internal medicine intern (PGY-1) at ~$74,015.

###

Years of Experience (Post-Graduate Year)

This is the single most direct factor influencing a resident's salary. As detailed in the table above, the salary lockstep with the PGY level is non-negotiable. This progression acknowledges the resident's development from a novice physician requiring intense supervision to a senior leader capable of managing complex patients and teaching junior trainees.

The year-over-year increase of roughly $2,500-$3,000 may seem modest, but it represents the institution's formal recognition of your increased value and competence. A senior resident (e.g., PGY-3) not only manages their own patients but also supervises the PGY-1 interns on their team, a responsibility that warrants higher compensation.

###

Geographic Location & Cost of Living

This is arguably the most critical external factor. A resident's salary is not portable; its true value is determined by the cost of living in the city where they train. Los Angeles is one of the most expensive cities in the United States.

Let's compare UCLA's compensation to other top academic medical centers in different regions (using 2023-2024 PGY-1 data for consistency):

| :----------------------------- | :-------------------- | :---------------- | :-------------------- | :---------------------- | :----------------------------------- |

| Mass General Brigham (Harvard) | Boston, MA | $77,500 | - | $77,500 | ~5-10% Lower (than LA) |

| Johns Hopkins Hospital | Baltimore, MD | $66,560 | - | $66,560 | ~35-40% Lower (than LA) |

| Cleveland Clinic | Cleveland, OH | $65,581 | - | $65,581 | ~45-50% Lower (than LA) |

*\*Cost of Living Premium/Discount is an estimate based on aggregators like Payscale and Numbeo, primarily driven by housing costs.*

Analysis:

West Coast Premium: UCLA and Stanford, located in two of the nation's most expensive housing markets, offer significantly higher total cash compensation, largely through generous housing stipends. Stanford's even higher salary reflects the astronomical cost of living in Silicon Valley.
The LA Challenge: While UCLA's $86k package seems high, Numbeo estimates that the cost of living in Los Angeles is roughly 40% higher than in Baltimore. This means the ~$66k salary at Johns Hopkins may have comparable or even slightly better purchasing power for day-to-day expenses.
The Value Proposition: The takeaway is that UCLA's salary and stipend are competitive but necessary. They are designed to make living in Los Angeles feasible, not necessarily comfortable. Residents will still need to be diligent budgeters, often living with roommates in areas like Westwood, Palms, or Culver City to make ends meet.

###

Institution Type & Prestige

All accredited residency programs must meet the standards of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). However, the resources and opportunities available can vary dramatically.

Major Academic Medical Centers (e.g., UCLA): These institutions are at the forefront of research and sub-specialty care. They offer higher salaries (as shown above), access to world-renowned faculty, and unparalleled opportunities for research and networking. Graduating from a top-tier program like UCLA can be a significant advantage when applying for competitive fellowships or premier academic attending positions.
Community Hospital Programs: These programs are often more focused on clinical training for general practice. Salaries may be slightly lower, and research opportunities might be less extensive. However, they can offer a better "lifestyle" with potentially less pressure on academic productivity and a different patient population.

The "compensation" for choosing a place like UCLA includes the prestige of the name, which carries significant weight on a CV for the rest of a physician's career.

###

Area of Specialization

During residency itself, the salary is based on PGY level, not specialty. A PGY-2 in Pediatrics earns the same as a PGY-2 in Radiology at UCLA. However, the choice of specialty has profound long-term financial implications:

Length of Training: A longer residency means more years earning a resident's salary and deferring higher attending-level income. A future family physician finishes in 3 years and starts earning an attending's salary, while a future plastic surgeon is still in training for 6-7 years.
Moonlighting Opportunities: "Moonlighting" is the practice of picking up extra paid shifts outside of one's residency-mandated hours. The ability to moonlight depends heavily on the specialty and program rules. Some programs forbid it, while others allow it for senior residents in good standing. Specialties with more predictable hours (e.g., radiology, pathology) or shift-based work (e.g., emergency medicine) may offer more moonlighting opportunities, providing a way to supplement the base salary by $10,000-$30,000 or more per year.
Future Earning Potential: This is the elephant in the room. The salary difference between specialties after training is enormous. According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and Medscape's 2023 Physician Compensation Report, the contrast is stark:
Primary Care (Family Medicine/Pediatrics): ~$250,000 median salary
Internal Medicine: ~$275,000 median salary
Anesthesiology: ~$420,000 median salary
Cardiology (sub-specialty): ~$490,000 median salary
Orthopedic Surgery (specialty): ~$575,000 median salary

While these figures are not part of the resident salary, they are a dominant factor in a medical student's decision-making process.

###

In-Demand Skills & Competencies

Unlike in a corporate environment, you cannot negotiate a higher resident salary by demonstrating specific skills. The salary is fixed. However, developing certain competencies during residency directly translates to future financial success.

Procedural Expertise: Becoming highly skilled in the procedures of your specialty makes you a more attractive candidate for competitive fellowships and private practice groups.
Research and Publications: For those aiming for an academic career at a place like UCLA, a strong research portfolio built during residency is non-negotiable. It leads to better fellowship opportunities and a faster track to faculty positions.
Leadership and Teaching: Excelling as a senior resident and being chosen as a Chief Resident (which often comes with a PGY level-up and a salary bump) is a major mark of distinction that opens doors to leadership roles in the future.

Job Outlook and Career Growth: Life After Residency

The years of financial constraint and grueling hours during a UCLA residency are an investment, and the return on that investment is a career with outstanding stability, intellectual reward, and significant financial potential. The job outlook for physicians and surgeons in the United States is robust and expected to remain so for the foreseeable future.

The Data-Driven Outlook:

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides a clear picture of the profession's future. In its Occupational Outlook Handbook, the BLS projects that employment for physicians and surgeons will grow by 3 percent from 2022 to 2032. While this percentage is about the same as the average for all occupations, it's important to understand the context. This growth rate, applied to a very large profession, is projected to result in about 24,300 openings for physicians and surgeons each year, on average, over the decade.

These openings

The Ultimate Guide to UCLA Resident Salary & A Career at a Top Medical Center

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