Physiatrist Compensation: What to Expect
Understanding compensation in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) requires a nuanced view. Income can vary significantly based on a number of factors, including subspecialty focus, geographic region, practice setting, and workload. Here's what you need to know:
What Do Physiatrists Earn?
The average annual compensation for physiatrists in clinical practice is approximately $365,500.*This places PM&R ahead of most primary care specialties in earning potential, though below some procedural and surgical subspecialties. Importantly, this figure reflects a wide range of practice types and roles, and many physiatrists exceed this average depending on how and where they practice.
*Average of the Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2025 & Doximity Physician Compensation Report 2024
Practice Setting Matters
Physiatrists can tailor their careers to align with their lifestyle and financial goals. Compensation can vary based on setting:
- Private Practice: Typically offers higher earning potential, especially in interventional spine or musculoskeletal-focused practices. Business ownership, ancillary services, and procedural volume can further boost income.
- Academic Medicine: Often provides greater job stability, with opportunities for teaching, research, and grant funding. While base salaries can be lower than in private practice, benefits such as loan repayment, protected time, and generous retirement packages can be appealing.
- Hospital/Health System Employment: Combines elements of both private and academic environments, with variable compensation structures that may include base salary plus productivity bonuses.
- Medical Directorships and Leadership Roles: Taking on administrative or leadership positions—such as leading a rehabilitation unit or inpatient service—can add supplemental income.
Geography Plays a Role
Compensation is also influenced by regional dynamics:
- Urban and Coastal Areas: Often have a higher concentration of physiatrists and may offer lower salaries due to competition.
- Underserved or Rural Regions: May offer higher base salaries, signing bonuses, or loan repayment incentives to attract talent.
Cost of Living Considerations:
A $300,000 salary in the Midwest may go much further than the same salary in a high-cost city. Always consider housing, taxes, and other expenses with regional variability when comparing offers.
Effort and Specialization Can Increase Earning Potential
PM&R offers flexibility in workload and scope, and compensation often reflects that. In general: The more patients you see and the more procedures you perform, the greater your income potential. Subspecialty training in may lead to higher earnings.
Compensation Models
Physiatrists can be compensated through some combination of:
- Base salary
- Productivity bonuses (RVU- or collections-based)
- Quality or performance incentives
- Profit-sharing or partnership dividends (in private practice)
Understanding your compensation model is critical during contract negotiations and long-term career planning.
Bottom Line
PM&R is a uniquely versatile specialty that allows you to customize your career based on your professional interests and lifestyle goals. Whether you value autonomy, academic involvement, leadership, or a high-volume clinical practice, the specialty offers a diverse range of financially rewarding pathways