Hospitalists

SOC code 29-1229 · O*NET-SOC 29-1229.02 · Extensive preparation needed · Healthcare

Hospitalists pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$265,930

a year

Hourly

$127.85

per hour

10th$69,170Median$265,93090th$452,360

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$262,040

$125.98 per hour

Middle 50%

$102,930 – $378,770

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$69,170 – $452,360

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

342,720

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Physicians, All Other”, not this job alone.

10th percentile: $69,170; $33.26/hr
25th percentile: $102,930; $49.48/hr
Median percentile: $265,930; $127.85/hr
75th percentile: $378,770; $182.10/hr
90th percentile: $452,360; $217.48/hr

What does a hospitalist do?

Provide inpatient care predominantly in settings such as medical wards, acute care units, intensive care units, rehabilitation centers, or emergency rooms. Manage and coordinate patient care throughout treatment.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Diagnose, treat, or provide continuous care to hospital inpatients.
Prescribe medications or treatment regimens to hospital inpatients.
Order or interpret the results of tests such as laboratory tests and radiographs (x-rays).
Admit patients for hospital stays.
Conduct discharge planning and discharge patients.
Write patient discharge summaries and send them to primary care physicians.
Refer patients to medical specialists, social services, or other professionals as appropriate.
Direct, coordinate, or supervise the patient care activities of nursing or support staff.

How to become a hospitalist

Most people in this role hold post-doctoral training — 48% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed

Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

See all zone 5 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Post-Doctoral Training48%
Doctoral Degree40%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.8%
Bachelor's Degree4%

Common questions

How much does a hospitalist earn?

The national median is $265,930 a year. The full range runs from $69,170 at the 10th percentile to $452,360 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a hospitalist without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension4.1/5
Active Listening4.1/5
Speaking4.1/5
Critical Thinking4.1/5
Active Learning4.1/5
Monitoring4.0/5

Knowledge areas

Medicine and Dentistry5.0/5
Biology4.6/5
English Language4.6/5
Psychology4.3/5
Education and Training4.0/5
Therapy and Counseling4.0/5
Customer and Personal Service3.8/5
Administration and Management3.1/5

Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Service Orientation.