As burnout drives more physicians toward early retirement, many see AI fluency as their best shot at higher earnings

Doximity, Inc. (NYSE: DOCS), the leading digital platform for U.S. medical professionals, today announced new data indicating that physicians are finding an unexpected source of optimism in AI. Rather than viewing the technology as a threat, nearly a quarter expect it to increase their total compensation within the next year, and two-thirds believe staying current with AI will give them a meaningful earnings edge over peers who don't.

The findings are part of Doximity’s annual Physician Compensation Report, which also shows that the physician shortage continues to weigh heavily on daily practice, with 76% of physicians saying it compromised the quality of care they were able to provide in the past year. That strain is showing up in a growing desire to leave medicine altogether as physicians report being overworked, considering a career change, or eyeing early retirement.

“Physicians go into medicine because they’re passionate about helping people,” said Amit Phull, MD, chief medical officer at Doximity. “Then the job compromises that mission. Admin burden. Extreme hours. A system that doesn’t feel built for them anymore. So it’s no surprise they're looking at AI as leverage, not a threat. Our job at Doximity is simple: give them time back through AI that helps them be more productive and provide better care for their patients.”

Report Highlights

Physicians See AI Fluency as the Next Career Advantage

• Rather than fearing displacement, physicians are looking to capitalize: 23% expect AI to increase their total compensation within the next 12 months.
• 67% believe physicians who stay current with AI tools will have a meaningful earnings advantage over colleagues who don't adopt them in the next 12 months.

AI Is the New Professional Currency

• At least 39% of physicians surveyed said that AI proficiency is a factor in hiring and promotion decisions for their specialty, including 15% who described it as either a “major” or “moderate” factor.

Shortage Still Straining Physicians Fuels Career-Exit Intent

• 85% of physicians said the physician shortage has already affected their clinical practice.
• 76% said the shortage and other systemic pressures compromised the quality of care they provided in the past 12 months.
• In a June 2026 Doximity poll of more than 600 physicians, 82% reported being overworked.
• Among overworked physicians, 66% are considering a career change, including 46% eyeing early retirement, up from 34%.

Broader Compensation Trends

• Average physician compensation rose 2% in 2025, down from 3.7% growth the year prior, continuing a trend of moderating pay growth.
• The gender pay gap held steady at 26% for the second consecutive year, with men earning a nominal $122,276 more than women on average.
• The pay gap between primary care physicians and specialists widened this year: surgical specialists now earn 90.1% more than primary care physicians, up from 87.3% in 2024.

With over 85% of U.S. physicians as members, Doximity brings together one of the nation’s largest physician compensation datasets with workforce surveys, recruiting activity, staffing trends, and insights into AI adoption. The 2026 Physician Compensation Report features new survey findings from June 2026 on how AI is changing physician careers and pay, along with salary data from Doximity’s compensation dataset of more than 23,000 responses collected in 2025.

Read the full 2026 Physician Compensation Report here.

About Doximity

Founded in 2010, Doximity is the leading digital platform for U.S. medical professionals. The company’s network members include more than 85% of U.S. physicians across all specialties and practice areas. Doximity provides its verified clinical membership with digital tools built for medicine, enabling them to collaborate with colleagues, stay current on medical news and research, manage their careers and on-call schedules, streamline documentation and administrative paperwork, and conduct virtual patient visits. With new AI-powered clinical reference and search capabilities, Doximity also helps doctors access trusted, peer-reviewed information and medical literature. Doximity’s mission is to help doctors be more productive so they can provide better care for their patients.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260825863688/en/