Adult medical specialties posted the largest increase in median work relative value unit productivity from 2025 to 2026, the second consecutive year the category has led on productivity growth, according to a survey from SullivanCotter.
The Chicago-based consulting firm released findings from its 2026 Physician Compensation and Productivity Survey Sept. 17. The report includes data from 575 healthcare organizations representing about 235,000 physicians across 240 specialties.
Productivity gains were modest across the board, with year-over-year changes ranging from 0.8% to 2.8%. Median total cash compensation rose across all major specialty categories over the same period, led by adult medical specialties at 7.2%.
Here are changes in median wRVU productivity from 2025 to 2026, by specialty area, according to survey data shared with Becker’s:
Adult medical: 2.8%
Pediatric surgical: 2.5%
Adult surgical: 2.3%
Hospital-based: 1.7%
Pediatric medical: 1.7%
Pediatric hospital-based: 1.6%
Primary care: 0.8%
