Doctor Net Worth Calculator
When does your net worth finally go positive?
Physicians start their careers $200K+ in the hole. The calculator below models your exact net worth trajectory — factoring in loan repayment strategy, salary growth, and retirement contributions — so you know when you cross zero and when you hit financial independence.
Open the Net Worth Calculator
See your crossover year + 20-year projection
Net worth crossover by specialty
Years after residency until net worth turns positive, assuming $215K avg debt, aggressive repayment, standard savings rate. Salary data: Marit Health 2026.
| Specialty | Attending Salary | Crossover Year | Net Worth at 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neurosurgery | $788K | Year 3 | $1.8M |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $633K | Year 4 | $1.2M |
| Radiology | $495K | Year 5 | $890K |
| Anesthesiology | $479K | Year 5 | $850K |
| Emergency Medicine | $362K | Year 6 | $580K |
| Internal Medicine | $264K | Year 9 | $210K |
| Family Medicine | $255K | Year 10 | $170K |
| Pediatrics | $221K | Year 11 | $90K |
What moves your net worth the most
Repayment strategy
PSLF vs aggressive payoff can differ by $100K+ in total paid — which directly shifts your net worth trajectory by years.
Residency length
A 7-year surgical residency vs a 3-year internal medicine residency means 4 extra years of low income and student loan accrual.
Refinancing timing
Refinancing too early kills PSLF eligibility. Refinancing too late costs interest. The optimal window is specialty-dependent.
Savings rate in residency
Even small 401(k) contributions during residency compound significantly. A resident maxing their Roth IRA adds ~$80K in 10-year NW vs doing nothing.
Frequently asked questions
What is net worth for a doctor?
Net worth is total assets (savings, investments, home equity) minus total liabilities (student loans, mortgage, other debt). Most physicians start with a negative net worth of -$150K to -$300K and build from there.
How long does it take a doctor to become a millionaire?
Highly specialty-dependent. High-earning specialties (neurosurgery, ortho) can hit $1M net worth within 5-7 years of attending. Primary care physicians typically take 12-18 years depending on debt and savings rate.
Does PSLF help net worth?
Yes — if you qualify. Forgiveness means less money out of pocket over 10 years, which stays in your investment accounts compounding instead. The impact is largest for lower-earning specialties.
How does the MedDebt net worth calculator work?
It models year-by-year cash flows: resident salary, IBR/aggressive payments, attending salary, loan payoff, and estimated investment returns. The net worth crossover is the first year projected assets exceed liabilities.
Run your own projection
Enter your specialty, debt, and repayment strategy. See your net worth crossover year and 20-year projection.
Open the Calculator