Pulmonologists working in the United States typically earn salaries in the range from $127,500 to $361,520 a year including bonuses according to the salary information provided by Payscale.
The basic annual salary for pulmonology doctors is usually in the range between $119,195 and $352,344, and the yearly bonuses can amount to up to $39,149 according to Payscale. Physicians with a certification in pulmonary diseases from the American Board of Internal Medicine typically earn between $145,437 and $358,798 a year.
Average salary
The average salary for pulmonologists employed in the United States is $298,000 a year according to the recruitment agency Profiles, $235,410 a year according to Salary.com, $220,022 a year according to Jobstat, $240,828 a year according to Payscale, and $263,000 a year according to the Pulmonologist Compensation Report: 2013, released by Medscape.
The salary data on Salary.com indicates that 10% of pulmonologists earn $175,644 a year or less, while the 10% best paid pulmonary physicians are paid $330,150 a year or more. Jobstat reports that the highest annual salary recorded for this profession is $361,188 and the lowest, $99,340 a year.
The salary figures in Medscape’s 2013 compensation report reveal that women earn about 24% more than men: the average yearly salary for women is $271,000, while men are paid $219,000 annually on average.
Pulmonologists’ annual salary depends on geographical location and can vary significantly from region to region. Based on the salary data provided by Medscape, the top earning physicians are those working in the West, who earn $296,000 a year on average, followed by pulmonologists employed in the Southeast, who make $289,000 a year on average. Physicians working in the North Central region earn around $283,000 a year, and those based in the Great Lakes region are paid around $275,000 annually.
Pulmonology doctors working in the Northwest earn $262,000 a year on average, those based in the South Central region are paid around $257,000 a year, and physicians employed in the Mid-Atlantic region receive a median annual pay of $243,000. The lowest salaries are in the North East, where pulmonologists earn an average yearly salary of $240,000, and in the Southwest, where these physicians earn around $210,000 a year according to Medscape’s salary figures.
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Pulmonologists employed by healthcare organizations earn a median annual salary of $280,000, and those working in outpatient clinics and solo practices are paid around $277,000 a year. Pulmonology specialists working in an academic setting earn $212,000 annually on average, and physicians employed at hospitals are paid around $210,000 a year. Pulmonologists working in other settings have a median yearly income of $307,000 according to Medscape’s salary report.
Work situation is another major factor in determining a pulmonologist’s annual pay. Physicians who are partners in their organization earn the highest salaries — $310,000 a year on average – followed by those who own solo practices, who earn around $274,000 annually. Pulmonologists who are employees in their organization are paid around $237,000 a year on average, and those who work as independent contractors earn a median annual pay of $234,000 according to Medscape’s salary survey.
Salary range
Medscape’s 2013 salary report reveals that 8% of pulmonologists earn $100,000 a year or less, and 1% earn $600,000 a year or more. The highest percentage of pulmonology doctors (19%) report an annual pay in the range from $200,000 to $250,000 a year. 16% of pulmonologists are paid between $250,000 and $300,000 annually, and 15% earn between $300,000 and $350,000 a year.
On the higher end of the scale, 3% of pulmonology physicians earn between $500,000 and $600,000 a year, 4% are paid between $450,000 and $500,000 annually, and 8% report an annual income in the range from $400,000 to $450,000.
Another 8% are paid between $350,000 and $400,000 a year according to Medscape’s salary survey.
On the lower end of the scale, 5% of pulmonology specialists earn between $100,000 and $150,000 annually, and 14% report earning a salary in the range from $150,000 to $200,000 a year according to Medscape.
Pulmonologists’ salaries vary depending on a number of factors, including years of experience. Professionals with 1 to 4 years of experience typically earn salaries in the range from $68,510 to $360,647 a year, and those with 5 to 9 years of experience generally make between $141,914 and $328,590 annually. Pulmonology doctors with 10 to 19 years of experience under their belt are paid between $100,000 and $361,068 a year, and those with 20 or more years of experience typically report an annual income in the range from $146,917 to $372,485 according to Payscale’s salary data.
In terms of industry, pulmonologists working in the health care sector generally earn salaries in the range from $177,539 to $380,127 a year, and those employed at hospitals are usually paid between $51,064 and $313,401 a year according to Payscale’s data.
Starting salary
Pulmonary disease specialists earn a median annual salary of $191,500 in their first year according to the salary information provided by the recruitment firm Profiles.
Salary by state
Pulmonologists’ annual pay can vary significantly from state to state. For example, physicians based in California typically report salaries in the range from $140,000 to $200,399 a year, while those working in Texas are generally paid between $74,000 and $227,000 a year according to the salary data provided by Payscale.
Hourly wage
Pulmonologists earn $109.41 per hour on average according to the salary data reported by Jobstat. The top hourly rate recorded for this occupation is $179.61 and the lowest, $49.4 per hour.
Benefits
Along with the basic salary and bonuses, pulmonologists also get a wide range of perks and benefits, and these can sometimes reflect their annual income.
Pulmonology physicians who have 401(k) plans typically earn between $156,594 and $377,540 annually, those who have malpractice and liability insurance are generally paid between $75,000 and $387,097 a year, and physicians who have paid vacations and holidays usually report an annual pay in the range from $155,500 to $367,347 according to Payscale’s salary data.
Pulmonologists who get paid sick leave as part of their benefits package earn between $160,000 and $375,000 a year, and those who have 403(b) plans are generally paid between $190,631 and $308,368 annually. Physicians who get life and disability insurance report an annual income in the range from $240,746 to $381,409, and professionals who get cell phones are typically paid between $157,222 and $305,209 a year according to Payscale.
The most popular benefits among pulmonologists are 401(k) plans, malpractice and liability insurance, paid vacation, life and disability insurance, and paid sick leave.
Other income factors
Pulmonologist salaries can also vary depending on hospital setting. For example, physicians working at general hospitals report salaries in the range from $123,650 to $356,218 a year, while those employed at private practices and physicians’ offices are typically paid between $178,039 and $343,741 a year according to Payscale’s salary data.
Employer type is another factor that can affect a pulmonologist’s annual salary. Physicians employed at hospitals generally make between $119,195 and $377,515 a year, those employed by private practices and firms are typically paid between $136,912 and $357,586 annually, and professionals working at universities and colleges report an annual income in the range from $160,000 to $242,975 according to Payscale.