Residency is one of the most demanding phases of a medical career. Residents often work up to 80 hours per week, balancing long shifts, high-stakes patient care, and continued learning. With such heavy responsibility, one common question arises: how much are residents actually paid?
This guide explores residency salaries in the U.S., including average pay by year, specialty, and location, as well as common benefits and global comparisons.
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A medical residency is a postgraduate training program where medical school graduates practice medicine under supervision in hospitals or clinics. Residency usually lasts 3 to 7 years, depending on specialty, and is a requirement for independent practice and board certification.
During this period, residents earn a salary and benefits while honing their skills. After residency, doctors typically see a dramatic pay increase as they transition into fully licensed roles.
According to the latest Residents Salary and Debt Report, the average U.S. resident salary is about $63,000 per year. Pay increases annually by $2,000–$5,000 as residents progress through their postgraduate years (PGY).
Along with salary, most programs offer health insurance, vision/dental coverage, paid vacation, and meal stipends.
Pay can vary significantly depending on specialty. Longer, highly technical fields tend to offer higher compensation during training.
Although differences aren’t dramatic compared to fully licensed salaries, high-paying residencies often translate into even greater earnings post-training.
Most programs follow a step-wise increase model, with pay rising about $3,000–$5,000 annually.
By the end of training, senior residents can earn close to $80,000 annually, depending on program length.
Residency salaries vary worldwide:
Starting at ~$60,000 with annual increases.
$49,000–$70,000 depending on province. Quebec pays the lowest, Nova Scotia the highest.
Salaries are lower overall. In the UK, residents start around £33,340 (~$41,800 USD). In Germany, residents can make €59,630 (~$64,000 USD) depending on specialty.
U.S. residents generally earn more but also face higher debt burdens and cost-of-living expenses.
Resident pay remains a heated debate in medicine. On one hand, they are highly trained professionals carrying immense responsibility. On the other, they are still in training, which caps pay levels.
Challenges include:
Many residents carry six-figure medical school loans.
Up to 80 hours a week, leaving little time for supplemental income.
High demands vs. modest pay.
Residents often advocate for higher salaries to reflect their workload and role as frontline caregivers.
Yes. While not as much as licensed doctors, residents earn salaries with benefits.
Typically $3,000–$5,000 per year.
Yes. Mmost programs include healthcare, vacation, malpractice insurance, and sometimes perks like gym memberships or meal stipends.
Plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, and pathology.
Family medicine, emergency medicine, and internal medicine.
Medical residents typically earn $60,000–$80,000 annually, depending on specialty, year, and location. Salaries rise with seniority, and though debated as insufficient for the workload, residency pay provides crucial financial stability during training.
The tradeoff is clear: long hours and modest pay today lead to substantial earnings and autonomy once residency is complete.
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Author: Go-Elective Abroad
Date Published: Sep 20, 2025
Go Elective offers immersive opportunities for medical students, pre-med undergraduates, residents, nursing practitioners, and PAs to gain guided invaluable experience in busy hospitals abroad. Discover the power of study, travel, and impact.