How much does a physician make in California?
$186,300a year
Median yearly pay for physicians in California. That is $89.57 an hour or $15,530 a month.
- Hourly
- $89.57
- Vs. national median
- -40%
- Rank among states
- 34 of 35
- Jobs in the state
- 1,790
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $105,800Median: $186,300Highest 10%: $387,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $105,800 | $50.84 | |
| 25th | $167,100 | $80.34 | |
| Median | $186,300 | $89.57 | |
| 75th | $318,800 | $153.28 | |
| 90th | $387,800 | $186.42 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Diego, CA | $333,300 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $319,300 |
| San Jose, CA | $248,400 |
| San Francisco, CA | $186,300 |
| Riverside, CA | $143,100 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for physicians.
| 31. Arkansas | $214,100 |
| 32. Georgia | $211,800 |
| 33. Vermont | $188,300 |
| 34. California | $186,300 |
| 35. Wisconsin | $83,610 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physician make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $89.57 ($186,300 a year).
Do physicians make more in California than the national average?
No: $186,300 against $312,400 nationally, 40% less.
Where does California rank for physician pay?
California ranks 34 of 35 states.
Which city in California pays physicians the most?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA, with a median of $333,300 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.