New York is the worst state for doctors in 2026, according to a new WalletHub study. WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia using 19 metrics ranging from average annual wages for physicians to the number of hospitals per capita and the quality of each state's public hospital system.
Doctors play one of the most vital roles in society and are well compensated for the demanding work they do to keep patients healthy. They rank among the highest-paid and most highly educated professionals in the United States. For example, family medicine physicians earn a median annual salary of about $238,000, and many specialized medical jobs have even higher average salaries. However, not all states provide the same conditions for a career in medicine.
“Setting up shop in one of the best states for doctors can have a profound effect on your medical career,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “Not only will you be working in top-quality medical facilities and earning a high salary, but you'll also be less likely to burn out, and you should pay less for malpractice insurance. Meanwhile, residents living in one of the best states for doctors will have access to quality health care at a reasonable cost.”
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Best States for Doctors
Overall Rank | State | Total Score | Opportunity & Competition Rank | Medical Environment Rank |
1 | Montana | 66.15 | 2 | 15 |
2 | Indiana | 64.47 | 7 | 8 |
3 | Louisiana | 63.94 | 3 | 26 |
4 | South Dakota | 63.2 | 4 | 27 |
5 | Minnesota | 63.01 | 13 | 7 |
6 | North Dakota | 62.91 | 10 | 14 |
7 | Missouri | 62.65 | 1 | 42 |
8 | Nebraska | 62.37 | 24 | 3 |
9 | Iowa | 62.28 | 6 | 30 |
10 | Wisconsin | 61.43 | 14 | 18 |
The methodology can be found on the full version of the article on WalletHub.
