By Jamie Johnson, WCI ContributorSports medicine physicians are somewhat unique in the medical field. While the specialty falls under the family practice umbrella, these doctors focus on the prevention and treatment of injuries related to sports and exercise. A sports medicine physician treats everything from sprained ankles and stress fractures to concussion management and chronic joint pain. They also help athletes optimize their performance and recover from injuries safely.
But how much do sports medicine doctors actually make? Let’s take a closer look at average salaries and the factors that influence income in this field.
The Average Salary for a Sports Medicine Doctor
Because sports medicine is a subspecialty of family medicine, the best data available comes from family medicine salary surveys. According to Medscape’s 2025 Physician Compensation Report, family medicine practitioners earn an average annual salary of $281,000. Doximity’s 2025 Physician Compensation Report has a higher figure, reporting that family medicine physicians earn $318,959 per year.
While these averages can be a helpful benchmark, they don’t tell the whole story. A sports medicine physician’s salary can vary significantly depending on where they practice, how many procedures they perform, and their professional setting.
Is a Sports Medicine Doctor’s Salary Rising?
Overall, physician pay in the United States has grown slowly in recent years. Between 2023 and 2024, salaries rose just 2.9%, one of the smallest increases since the pandemic. That figure includes base pay as well as incentive bonuses and profit sharing.
Family medicine doctors, however, fared slightly better than average. Doximity found that their salaries rose about 6% year over year, while Medscape reported a 3% increase. Even with these gains, family medicine doctors continue to earn less than nearly every other specialty.
In fact, family medicine ranked in the bottom four specialties in Medscape’s 2025 study. And Medscape found that 48% of doctors feel underpaid, which is actually the lowest percentage in a decade.
But 45% of physicians did say their salary meets their family’s needs, and 26% reported that they earn more than they need. That suggests that while many doctors still feel financial pressure, the majority believe their income provides a comfortable standard of living.
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Factors Affecting Average Salaries
The salary numbers above are averages, and your personal income as a sports medicine physician can look very different depending on your circumstances. Let’s look at some important factors shaping physician pay.
Gender Pay Gap
According to Medscape, the gender pay gap among physicians has widened over the past three years. Here were the findings:
- Across all physicians, men earn an average of $414,000, while women earn an average of $318,000.
- In primary care, men average $307,000 compared to $268,000 for women.
- Among specialists, men average $447,000, while women average $339,000.
This gap persists even when accounting for specialty, hours worked, and practice setting. For female sports medicine physicians—who are already in a lower-paying specialty—the gap can be particularly significant.
Racial Pay Gap
Racial disparities in physician pay also remain an issue. Medscape found that:
- Caucasian doctors earn $378,000 on average.
- Asian-American physicians earn $373,000.
- Hispanic/Latino doctors earn $352,000.
- African-American/Black physicians earn $343,000
The disparity extends to incentive bonuses as well, with Caucasian doctors receiving average bonuses of $51,333 compared to $44,375 for Asian-Americans, $39,192 for Hispanic/Latino doctors, and $36,192 for African-American/Black doctors.
These numbers highlight that systemic inequities continue to impact physician compensation across all specialties, including sports medicine.
Location
Where you practice also has a significant effect on your salary. Hospitals in rural areas often pay more to attract physicians since they must compete with larger urban systems. According to Medscape, doctors in the Farm Belt and Southeastern states tend to earn more.
Here’s how regional averages break down:
- Midwest: $385,000
- South: $375,000
- West: $369,000
- North: $363,000
For sports medicine physicians, this means a job in a rural Midwestern hospital might pay considerably more than one in a major coastal city—even if the cost of living is higher in the city.
Do Sports Medicine Doctors Take on Outside Work?
Despite their demanding schedules, many physicians supplement their income with outside work. Medscape reports that nearly 4 in 10 doctors engage in paid work beyond their primary role. That includes 38% of specialists and 39% of primary care physicians.
The reasons for that vary—some doctors take on side work to offset the high cost of living in their area. Others are still paying down large student loan balances, or they need additional income to cover malpractice insurance premiums. For sports medicine physicians, outside work might include providing medical coverage for athletic teams or events.
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How to Increase Your Physician Income
If you’re a sports medicine physician, there are ways to increase your earning potential. The most important step is to negotiate your contract carefully. Many physicians leave a lot of money on the table by accepting initial offers without pushing for better pay.
Compensation packages are complex, and failing to negotiate your salary and contract can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars over your career. We recommend working with a vetted attorney who understands the nuances of physician employment agreements. This guidance ensures you’re not only receiving fair compensation, but it also protects you from restrictive clauses or unfavorable call schedules.
The Bottom Line
Sports medicine physicians help athletes recover from injuries and return to peak performance. While their compensation isn't as high as other specialties, they typically earn more than general family medicine physicians, with averages ranging from $281,000-$319,000.
If you’re considering going into sports medicine, the average salary may look modest compared to other specialties. Fortunately, there’s room to increase your earnings through contract negotiation, smart career choices, and supplemental work opportunities.
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