Explore pulmonologist salary ranges, hourly rates, and how ICU coverage and locum work shape earning potential in 2026.
Pulmonology compensation continues to rise as hospitals compete for physicians willing to cover ICU care, inpatient consults, and growing respiratory disease demand. Most pulmonologists earn around $425,700 annually, with pulmonary critical care and ICU-heavy roles earning significantly more depending on scope, geography, and call burden.
| Source | What it Measures | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Doximity Physician Compensation Report (2025, data year 2024) | Median total compensation | $425,700 |
| Medscape Physician Compensation Report (2025) | Average total compensation | $425,700 |
| SalaryDr (April 2026, 6 verified submissions) | Median verified compensation | $622,500 |
ICU coverage changes the compensation equation quickly. A pulmonologist splitting time between outpatient pulmonary and critical care can earn meaningfully more than a physician practicing outpatient pulmonology alone.
| Compensation Type | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| W-2 employed (derived from Doximity/Medscape avg) | ~$205 /hr |
| Locum tenens — lower band | $200 /hr |
| Locum tenens — upper band | $275 /hr |
Sources: Doximity/Medscape 2025; Barton Associates market data 2025–2026.
Career stage shapes the value of locum work as much as the rate itself. For mid-career and late-career pulmonologists, the ability to control scope and schedule is often worth more than the hourly rate difference alone.
Pulmonology pay is driven by ICU coverage intensity and supply-demand dynamics. Hospitals in rural and underserved markets compete aggressively for pulmonologists willing to take on critical care responsibilities, paying the highest locum premiums to secure coverage.
Pulmonology locum demand is highest in markets where ICU coverage and respiratory disease burden intersect with the lowest physician supply density.
A standard full-time pulmonologist sees 15 to 20 outpatients per day, with ICU rounding and inpatient consult responsibilities adding significant time on call-heavy weeks. Pulmonary function testing, bronchoscopy, and sleep medicine procedures add procedural revenue to the outpatient mix. The combination of outpatient and critical care responsibilities makes pulmonology one of the most demanding — and highest-compensated — internal medicine subspecialties.
Locum rates range from $200 to $275 per hour. The four scenarios below use representative rates from within that band.
To exceed $550,000: combine employed income with ICU-heavy locum assignments in markets with the most acute pulmonologist shortages.
Pulmonology locum income scales with ICU coverage intensity and market scarcity. Late-career pulmonologists who shift to locum work gain schedule flexibility without sacrificing earning potential.
A $225/hr locum rate versus a $205/hr W-2 equivalent is a meaningful structural advantage. 1099 pulmonologists unlock business deductions across licensing, CME, travel, and equipment; higher retirement contributions through a SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k); the Qualified Business Income deduction of up to 20%; and S-corp structuring at higher income levels. Barton partners with Earned to help locum physicians navigate these decisions.
Barton coordinates your job search from start to finish!
We’ll schedule a phone consultation to discuss your interests, goals, and work history to find the right opportunities.
Your Barton rep will submit your information to the facility you want to take an assignment at and work on next steps.
Barton handles licensing, credentialing, and travel arrangements before you arrive so you’re ready on day one.
Most earn around $425,700 annually based on Doximity and Medscape data. SalaryDr reports a median of $622,500 from 6 verified submissions, reflecting the higher end of the compensation range for ICU-heavy roles.
W-2 employed pulmonologists average approximately $205 per hour. Locum tenens rates range from $200 to $275 per hour, with ICU coverage commanding the top of the band.
Hybrid models combining employed income with regular locum shifts can push total compensation above $506,700. Full-time locum at $275/hr working 14 shifts per month yields approximately $462,000 annually.
Rural and underserved markets with ICU coverage needs pay the highest locum premiums. The combination of respiratory disease burden and low physician supply density creates the most acute access gaps.
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