US Otolaryngologist Compensation Reaches $549,810 in Doximity’s 2026 Report

Average annual compensation for US otolaryngologists reached $549,810 in Doximity’s 2026 Physician Compensation Report, providing an updated national benchmark for physicians working in ENT.

US otolaryngologists recorded average annual compensation of $549,810, according to Doximity’s 2026 Physician Compensation Report. The latest figure provides ENT physicians with a specialty-specific benchmark when evaluating their compensation, employment opportunities and the financial expectations associated with their practice.

Key findings

Doximity reports average annual compensation of $549,810 for otolaryngologists (ENT physicians) in its 2026 Physician Compensation Report.

For otolaryngologists, the figure provides a useful national reference point within a specialty combining outpatient care, diagnostic procedures and surgery for conditions affecting the ear, nose, throat and related structures of the head and neck.

The national average should not be interpreted as the compensation every otolaryngologist will receive. Individual earnings can vary according to geography, experience, subspecialty, surgical and procedural workload, patient volume, call responsibilities, practice setting and employment structure.

Otolaryngologist compensation reaches $549,810

The $549,810 average establishes a current national compensation benchmark for US otolaryngologists.

ENT practice covers a broad spectrum of conditions, including hearing and balance disorders, chronic sinus disease, airway conditions, voice and swallowing disorders and diseases affecting the head and neck.

Otolaryngologists may also develop expertise in areas such as head and neck oncology, rhinology, otology and neurotology, laryngology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery or pediatric otolaryngology.

The mix of consultations, office-based procedures and surgery can therefore differ considerably between individual ENT practices.

For otolaryngologists reviewing their current compensation or considering a new position, the Doximity figure provides a useful specialty-specific reference against which an individual package can be assessed.

What influences otolaryngologist compensation?

Otolaryngology combines medical management with substantial procedural and surgical activity, meaning patient volume, procedure mix, surgical workload and subspecialty focus can all be important when evaluating individual compensation.

An ENT physician undertaking complex head and neck surgery may have a different clinical workload from an otolaryngologist whose practice has a greater concentration of outpatient rhinology, otology or general ENT care.

Call commitments and hospital responsibilities can also affect the demands of individual roles.

Geography, experience and employment model may further influence compensation. Otolaryngologists can work within hospitals, health systems, academic medical centres, specialist groups and independent practices, with compensation structures potentially incorporating base pay, productivity incentives and other contractual components.

These factors mean the $549,810 national average should be treated as a benchmark rather than an expected salary for every otolaryngologist.

What the latest figure means for otolaryngologists

For US otolaryngologists, $549,810 provides a contemporary national reference point when benchmarking existing compensation or assessing a prospective position.

When evaluating an opportunity, ENT physicians should consider headline compensation alongside expected patient volumes, surgical and procedural responsibilities, call commitments, working hours and productivity requirements.

Subspecialty is particularly relevant within otolaryngology. The clinical activity and workload associated with head and neck oncology, for example, can differ substantially from those of general ENT, rhinology, otology or another subspecialty.

The latest Doximity figure therefore provides otolaryngologists with a useful starting point for evaluating compensation while recognising that individual earnings can differ substantially according to the clinical and contractual characteristics of a particular role.

About the data

The Doximity 2026 Physician Compensation Report provides compensation benchmarks across a wide range of US medical and surgical specialties.

The specialty figures represent average compensation and should be treated as national benchmarks. An individual otolaryngologist’s compensation may differ according to geography, experience, subspecialty, procedural activity, surgical workload, call responsibilities, practice setting and other professional factors.

Source

Doximity. Physician Compensation Report 2026.https://www.doximity.com/reports/physician-compensation-report/2026#modal-close

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