Celebrate Your Physician on National Doctors’ Day

On this Doctors’ Day, California Ranks in the Bottom Half of Best Places for Physicians

With National Doctors’ Day upon us, March 30, and family physicians earning an average annual salary of about $238,000, the personal finance company WalletHub has released its report on 2026’s Best and Worst States for Doctors. The report aims to highlight where doctors can achieve the greatest financial success and enjoy the strongest working conditions.

To determine the top states for doctors (and for patients seeking high-quality care) WalletHub evaluated all 50 states and the District of Columbia using 19 key metrics. These factors range from physicians’ average annual wages to hospitals per capita and the quality of each state’s public hospital system.

Practicing in California (1=Best, 25=Avg.):

Overall Rank: 39th

43rd – Avg. Annual Wage of Physicians (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
33rd – Avg. Monthly Starting Salary of Physicians (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
46th – Hospitals per Capita
17th – Insured Population Rate
43rd – Projected % of Population Aged 65 & Older by 2030
12th – Projected Physicians per Capita by 2032
27th – Punitiveness of State Medical Board
17th – Malpractice Award Payout Amount per Capita
10th – Annual Malpractice Liability Insurance Rate

“Setting up a practice in one of the best states for doctors can have a profound effect on your medical career., according to Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst. “Not only will you be working in top-quality medical facilities and earning high salaries, you’ll be less likely to burn out, and pay less for malpractice insurance. Meanwhile, residents living in one of the best states for doctors will have access to quality healthcare at a reasonable cost.”

“Montana is the best state for doctors, thanks to its highly-rated hospital systems and high annual incomes in practices such as anesthesiologists; psychiatrists; and surgeons. The Treasure State also enjoys a high percentage of medical residents who remain in-state and a low physician burnout rate.