Neurosurgery had the highest average call pay per call day among 24 physician specialties, according to a Sept. 5 report from Marit Health, which collects anonymous salary data in medicine.
Although only 19% of physicians reported receiving call pay, those who do vary widely by specialty. Surgical and procedural specialties are more likely to receive it, while urgent care, radiation oncology and rheumatology are among the least likely.
Orthopedic surgeons were the most likely to receive call pay, at 43%, followed by neurosurgery (39%), urology (37%), surgery (33%) and anesthesiology (32%).
The analysis draws from 8,385 full-time physician salaries submitted between September 2024 and Sept. 5, 2025. Of these, 6,138 reported taking call, Marit Health confirmed to Becker’s.
Here is the average call pay per call day, by specialty:
1. Neurosurgery: $2,045
2. Radiology: $1,845
3. Pathology: $1,700
4. Anesthesiology: $1,656
5. Surgery: $1,273
6. Urology: $1,146
7. Orthopedic surgery: $1,132
8. Internal medicine: $1,109
9. Gastroenterology: $1,069
10. Cardiology: $1,059
11. Psychiatry: $1,034
12. Neurology: $922
13. Ophthalmology: $921
14. Plastic surgery: $912
15. Hospital medicine: $861
16. Physical medicine and rehabilitation: $845
17. OB-GYN: $808
18. Pulmonology: $795
19. Podiatry: $666
20. Pediatrics: $594
21. Hematology oncology: $592
22. Infectious disease: $533
23. Family medicine: $455
24. Endocrinology: $363
