Physician salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A physician in California earns a median of $281,590 a year ($135.38/hour equivalent), 5.9% above the national median of $265,930. California ranks #26 of 50 states. About 25,530 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $178,039 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $6,848 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $10,830.38
- Federal income tax
- −$2,372.72
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$439.96
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$185.28
- California income tax
- −$843.96
- CA SDI
- −$140.80
- Take-home pay
- $6,847.67
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $281,590
- Federal
- $61,691
- FICA
- $16,256
- State + local
- $25,604
- Net
- $178,039
- Marginal federal rate
- 35.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 9.3%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | North Dakota | $454,550 |
| #2 | Montana | $438,850 |
| #3 | Maine | $419,410 |
| #4 | Wisconsin | $391,740 |
| #5 | Minnesota | $367,320 |
| #26 | California | $281,590 |
| #48 | Arkansas | $136,880 |
| #49 | Illinois | $132,540 |
| #50 | District of Columbia | $77,430 |
See the national physician salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Physicians, All Other (SOC 29-1229), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physician make in California?
The median salary is $281,590 a year and the average is $249,620 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for physicians?
California ranks #26 of 50 states for median pay in this job, 6% above the national median of $265,930.
What is $281,590 after taxes in California?
About $178,039 a year ($6,848 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.