US Rheumatologist Compensation Reaches $321,778 in Doximity’s 2026 Report

Average annual compensation for US rheumatologists reached $321,778 in Doximity’s 2026 Physician Compensation Report, providing an updated national benchmark for physicians working in rheumatology.
US rheumatologists recorded average annual compensation of $321,778, according to Doximity’s 2026 Physician Compensation Report. The latest figure provides rheumatologists with a specialty-specific benchmark when evaluating compensation, employment opportunities and the financial expectations associated with their practice.
Key findings
Doximity reports average annual compensation of $321,778 for rheumatologists in its 2026 Physician Compensation Report.
For rheumatologists, the figure provides a useful national reference point within a specialty focused on the diagnosis and long-term management of inflammatory, autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases.
The national average should not be interpreted as the compensation every rheumatologist will receive. Individual earnings can vary according to geography, experience, patient volume, disease complexity, clinical services, practice setting and employment structure.
Rheumatologist compensation reaches $321,778
The $321,778 average establishes a current national compensation benchmark for US rheumatologists.
Rheumatology encompasses the diagnosis and management of conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, gout and other autoimmune, inflammatory and musculoskeletal disorders.
Clinical practice is frequently centred on longitudinal care, with physicians managing chronic conditions that can require ongoing monitoring and adjustment of treatment over many years.
Rheumatologists may also manage patients receiving biologic and other advanced therapies, requiring careful assessment of disease activity, treatment response and potential adverse effects.
For rheumatologists 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 rheumatologist compensation?
Rheumatology is predominantly a longitudinal specialty, meaning patient volume, disease complexity, treatment responsibilities and practice structure can all be important when evaluating individual compensation.
A rheumatologist managing patients with complex systemic autoimmune disease may have a different workload from a physician whose patient population contains a larger proportion of common musculoskeletal conditions.
Clinical services can also differ between practices, including the extent to which physicians perform joint procedures or oversee infusion and advanced therapy services.
Geography, experience and employment model may further influence compensation. Rheumatologists can work within specialist groups, hospitals, health systems, academic medical centres and independent practices.
These factors mean the $321,778 national average should be treated as a benchmark rather than an expected salary for every rheumatologist.
What the latest figure means for rheumatologists
For US rheumatologists, $321,778 provides a contemporary national reference point when benchmarking existing compensation or assessing a prospective position.
Physicians should consider headline compensation alongside patient volumes, disease complexity, treatment responsibilities, working hours and productivity expectations.
Practice composition is particularly important. Two rheumatology positions can involve substantially different workloads depending on patient mix, advanced therapy responsibilities and the range of clinical services provided.
The latest Doximity figure therefore provides rheumatologists 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 rheumatologist’s compensation may differ according to geography, experience, patient volume, disease complexity, 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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