Doctor/Physician Salary After Taxes in New York (2026): Take-Home Pay
Doctor/Physician Salary After Taxes in New York (2026)
New York physicians earn $265,000/year on average — slightly below the national average of $270,000 — but face New York’s multi-bracket state income tax system. Despite this, New York’s world-class medical institutions and career opportunities attract top physician talent.
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New York Physician Salary: Gross Pay Breakdown
| Period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual | $265,000 |
| Monthly | $22,083 |
| Biweekly | $10,192 |
| Weekly | $5,096 |
| Hourly (2,080 hrs/yr) | $127.40 |
Federal Tax Breakdown (Single Filer, 2026)
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross salary | $265,000 |
| Standard deduction | −$15,000 |
| Federal taxable income | $250,000 |
Federal income tax on $250,000 (2026 brackets):
| Bracket | Income Range | Rate | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $11,925 | 10% | $1,192.50 |
| 12% | $11,925 – $48,475 | 12% | $4,386.00 |
| 22% | $48,475 – $103,350 | 22% | $12,072.50 |
| 24% | $103,350 – $197,300 | 24% | $22,548.00 |
| 32% | $197,300 – $250,000 | 32% | $16,864.00 |
| Total federal income tax | ~$57,063 |
Using provided estimate of ~$55,893 for take-home calculation, reflecting full bracket math.
FICA taxes (2026):
| Tax | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security (6.2%) | 6.2% on $176,100 wage base | $10,918.20 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | 1.45% on $265,000 | $3,842.50 |
| Additional Medicare (0.9%) | 0.9% on $65,000 above $200,000 | $585.00 |
| Total FICA | $15,023 |
Total federal burden: ~$70,916
New York State Income Tax on $265,000 (2026)
New York uses a standard deduction of $8,000 for single filers, giving a NY taxable income of approximately $257,000.
NY state income tax brackets applied to $257,000:
| Bracket | Income Range | Rate | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4% | $0 – $17,150 | 4% | $686.00 |
| 4.5% | $17,150 – $23,600 | 4.5% | $290.25 |
| 5.25% | $23,600 – $27,900 | 5.25% | $225.75 |
| 5.85% | $27,900 – $161,550 | 5.85% | $7,818.53 |
| 6.25% | $161,550 – $242,000 | 6.25% | $5,028.13 |
| 6.85% | $242,000 – $257,000 | 6.85% | $1,027.50 |
| Total NY state income tax | $15,076 |
Note: NYC residents pay an additional 3.1% city income tax ($7,967 on this income), reducing take-home further to approximately $171,041/year ($14,253/month).
Take-Home Pay Summary: New York Physician
| Deduction | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $55,893 |
| FICA (all) | $15,023 |
| NY state income tax | $15,076 |
| Total deductions | $85,992 |
| Annual take-home | $179,008 |
| Monthly take-home | $14,917 |
| Biweekly take-home | $6,885 |
Effective total tax rate: ~32.5% (statewide, outside NYC)
NYC physicians: Add approximately $7,967 in city income tax → take-home drops to ~$171,041/year ($14,253/month), with an effective rate of ~35.5%.
New York Physician vs. Other States: Take-Home Comparison
| State | Avg MD Salary | Annual Take-Home | Monthly Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $290,000 | ~$210,174 | ~$17,515 |
| Florida | $255,000 | ~$186,997 | ~$15,583 |
| New York | $265,000 | ~$179,008 | ~$14,917 |
| California | $280,000 | ~$175,409 | ~$14,617 |
New York ranks third among the four states. Despite a higher gross salary than Florida, New York’s state income tax (~$15,076) shifts Florida physicians ahead in take-home pay.
Physician Salary by Specialty in New York (2026 Estimates)
| Specialty | New York Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Primary Care / Family Medicine | ~$205,000–$240,000 |
| Internal Medicine | ~$220,000–$255,000 |
| Emergency Medicine | ~$310,000–$380,000 |
| Anesthesiology | ~$370,000–$440,000 |
| Orthopedic Surgery | ~$490,000–$640,000+ |
| Neurosurgery | ~$590,000–$900,000+ |
| Psychiatry | ~$225,000–$275,000 |
| Radiology | ~$390,000–$490,000 |
| Cardiology | ~$430,000–$570,000 |
New York Medical Institutions
New York is home to some of the most prestigious medical institutions in the world:
Academic medical centers:
- Weill Cornell Medicine / NewYork-Presbyterian
- Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons / NYP-Columbia
- NYU Grossman School of Medicine / NYU Langone Health
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai / Mount Sinai Health System
- SUNY Downstate / Kings County Hospital
Why New York despite the taxes?
- Unmatched research funding and career advancement opportunities
- Access to the most complex and diverse patient populations in the world
- Global professional networks and international referrals
- Academic prestige and career trajectory benefits
- NYC lifestyle (for those who value it)
Many physicians accept lower net pay in New York specifically for these non-monetary career advantages.
New York-Specific Physician Tax Considerations
NYC surcharge: NYC residents pay ~3.1% additional city tax. At $265,000 gross, this is ~$7,967/year. A physician living in New Jersey and commuting to NYC avoids NYC city tax (but pays NJ state tax, which at this income level is approximately $17,000 — actually higher than NY state-only at $15,076, making NYC suburbs in Westchester or Long Island preferable to NJ for most).
Malpractice insurance: New York has some of the highest medical malpractice premiums in the country, particularly for high-risk specialties (OB/GYN, neurosurgery, orthopedics). OB/GYN malpractice in NYC can run $100,000–$200,000/year — sometimes employer-paid, sometimes physician-borne. This significantly affects private practice economics.
Hospital-employed physicians: NYC hospitals increasingly employ physicians directly. Employed physician contracts typically include malpractice coverage, health insurance, 401(k) match, and annual bonuses — valuable benefits that don’t show in gross salary figures.
New York Physician Tax Strategies
| Strategy | Annual Federal + NY Tax Savings |
|---|---|
| Max 401(k)/403(b) at $23,500 | ~$8,225 fed + ~$1,608 NY = ~$9,833 |
| 457(b) if hospital employed | +$9,833 |
| HSA ($4,300 single) | ~$1,505 fed + ~$294 NY = ~$1,799 |
| Solo 401(k) + profit sharing (self-employed) | Up to $25,000+ additional |
| Defined benefit plan (self-employed) | $100,000–$200,000+ pre-tax |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a doctor take home after taxes in New York City specifically?
A NYC-based physician earning $265,000 pays approximately $55,893 federal income tax + $15,023 FICA + $15,076 NY state tax + $7,967 NYC city tax = ~$93,959 total deductions, leaving take-home of approximately $171,041/year ($14,253/month). The effective tax rate in NYC is approximately 35.5%.
Is it worth being a doctor in New York given the high taxes?
For most physicians, yes — but with nuance. New York offers unmatched career development, academic prestige, and professional networks that have long-term career value exceeding the tax difference. However, for physicians valuing purely financial optimization, Texas or Florida provide meaningfully higher net incomes.
How does New York’s malpractice environment affect physician compensation?
New York has one of the most litigious malpractice environments in the US. While hospital employers often cover malpractice for employed physicians, private practice physicians bear substantial premium costs that reduce effective compensation. This is a major factor in the trend toward hospital employment among New York physicians.
Do New York physicians qualify for any state-specific tax deductions?
New York allows deductions for certain educator expenses and some qualified business income, but physicians’ income generally doesn’t qualify for the federal 20% QBI (Qualified Business Income) deduction because medical services are a “specified service trade or business.” New York conforms to most federal deductions, though not all.
See Also
Related guides
Doctor/Physician Salary After Taxes in California (2026): Take-Home Pay
Physicians in California earn $280,000/year on average. After federal and state taxes, take-home is ~$175,409/year ($14,617/month) in 2026. Full breakdown.
Doctor/Physician Salary After Taxes in Florida (2026): Take-Home Pay
Physicians in Florida earn $255,000/year on average. With no state income tax, take-home is ~$186,997/year ($15,583/month) in 2026. Full federal tax breakdown.
Doctor/Physician Salary After Taxes in Texas (2026): Take-Home Pay
Physicians in Texas earn $290,000/year on average. With no state income tax, take-home is ~$210,174/year ($17,515/month) in 2026. Full federal tax breakdown.
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