By Kristin Kuchno

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.

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