Physician net worth is climbing, with the share of physicians worth $5 million or more nearly doubling since 2023, but beneath that number, significant gaps persist across gender and race, according to Medscape’s 2026 “Physician Wealth and Debt Report.”
Physician net worth
Physician net worth shifted notably between 2023 and 2026. The biggest change is that far more doctors now report net worth of $5 million or more (19% in 2026, up from 11% in 2023), while the share in the $2M–$5M range shrank slightly.
| Net worth range | 2026 | 2023 |
| Under $500,000 | 24% | 25% |
| $500,000 – $999,999 | 14% | 16% |
| $1 million – $1,999,999 | 19% | 19% |
| $2 million – $4,999,999 | 25% | 29% |
| $5 million or more | 19% | 11% |
Net worth by gender
Male physicians are significantly more likely to have net worth above $2 million, while female physicians are more concentrated at lower wealth levels.
| Net worth range | Men | Women |
| Under $500,000 | 19% | 29% |
| $500,000 – $999,999 | 12% | 16% |
| $1 million – $1,999,999 | 18% | 19% |
| $2 million – $4,999,999 | 28% | 23% |
| $5 million or more | 22% | 14% |
Net worth by race/ethnicity
| Net worth range | Black | Asian American | White | Hispanic/Latinx |
| Under $1 million | 48% | 36% | 35% | 53% |
| $1 million – $4,999,999 | 41% | 45% | 44% | 38% |
| $5 million or more | 10% | 18% | 21% | 10% |
Where does physicians’ wealth come from?
Retirement accounts are by far the largest driver of physician net worth, followed by real estate.
| Source | Share |
| Retirement accounts | 38% |
| Homes and other real estate | 27% |
| Financial investments (outside retirement) | 14% |
| Cash accounts | 10% |
| Personal property | 5% |
| Education savings accounts | 3% |
| Business equity / nonfinancial investments | 2% |
| Other | 1% |
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.
