10 Top 4-Year Medical Degrees That Pay Well (With Salaries)

A four-year degree remains the standard entry point for several of the highest-paying careers in healthcare, from physicians and dentists to nurses and medical imaging specialists. Unlike some of the accelerated paths covered elsewhere, these programs follow a more traditional timeline, typically ranging from three to four years depending on the specific field.

Below, we examine 10 degrees within the medical field that are connected to strong-paying patient-care careers, along with current salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Keep reading to explore both bachelor’s and doctoral medical degrees.

Salary Disclaimer: The salary ranges provided in this article are estimates based on national averages. Actual earnings may vary depending on location, employer, level of experience, and industry demand.

Do 4-Year Medical Degrees Pay Well?

Medical degrees completed on a standard three-to-four-year timeline consistently rank among the highest-paying careers across the entire workforce. This holds true across both bachelor's-level and doctoral-level medical fields, though pay varies significantly depending on the specific degree and career path chosen.

It's worth noting that "four years" describes the degree itself, not necessarily the total time to full practice. Several doctoral-level fields on this list, particularly medicine, require additional years of residency or clinical training beyond the degree before reaching independent practice, while bachelor's-level fields, like nursing, typically lead more directly into the workforce after graduation and licensure.

Top 4-Year Medical Degrees That Pay Well

Each degree below follows a standard three-to-four-year timeline and connects to at least one strong-paying patient-care career, based on current BLS data. Each entry notes the typical program length and any additional training required beyond the degree itself. 

1. Doctor of Medicine / Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

A Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) takes four years of medical school, followed by three to seven years of residency, depending on specialty. Accelerated, 3-year MDs are also available through schools in the Consortium of Accelerated Medical Pathway Programs (CAMPP). Physicians consistently top BLS wage charts, with pay well into six figures across nearly every specialty.

According to the most recent BLS data, physicians and surgeons earn a median well above $239,200 annually, with several specialties, including pediatric surgeons and cardiologists, reaching well beyond $500,000. Because residency adds several years beyond medical school itself, prospective students should plan for a total timeline closer to a decade before reaching full independent practice and top pay.

2. Doctor of Dental Surgery/ Doctor of Dental Medicine

A Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) typically takes four years to complete after a bachelor's degree, and both credentials qualify graduates for the same scope of practice. General dentists already reach strong six-figure pay, and several specialties pay considerably more.

According to the most recent BLS data, general dentists earn a median of roughly $171,000 annually, while oral and maxillofacial surgeons earn a median of roughly $352,200 annually. Reaching the higher-paying specialties requires two to six additional years of residency training beyond dental school, depending on the specialty.

3. Doctor of Nursing Practice

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a nurse anesthesia concentration typically takes three years to complete for registered nurses who already hold a BSN and meet the required critical care experience, following a year-round, full-time curriculum. As of 2025, a DNP is required for entry into nurse anesthesia programs specifically, though a master’s is currently enough to become a nurse practitioner.

According to the most recent BLS data, nurse anesthetists earn a median of roughly $236,600 annually, one of the highest-paying careers on this list. Because admission requires at least a year of critical care nursing experience beforehand, this path typically follows several years of prior nursing work rather than moving directly from a BSN into the DNP program.

4. Doctor of Podiatric Medicine

A DPM typically takes four years of podiatric medical school after a bachelor's degree, followed by a three-year podiatric residency. Podiatrists diagnose and treat conditions of the foot, ankle, and lower leg.

The most recent BLS data shows podiatrists earn a median of roughly $160,300 annually. Because the residency requirement functions similarly to a physician's, prospective students should factor in several years beyond the degree itself before reaching independent practice.

5. Medical Dosimetry

A bachelor's degree in medical dosimetry typically takes four years to complete, preparing graduates to calculate and plan radiation doses for cancer treatment alongside radiation oncologists. Certification through a national accrediting body is required after graduation.

According to the most recent BLS data, medical dosimetrists earn a median of roughly $147,500 annually, one of the highest-paying bachelor's-level healthcare careers on this list. Because this is a smaller, specialized field, prospective students should research program availability carefully, as fewer schools offer a dedicated four-year medical dosimetry degree compared to other paths into the field, like a post-primary certificate for existing radiologic technologists.

6. Doctor of Pharmacy

A Pharm.D. typically requires four years of pharmacy school, often following two to four years of prerequisite undergraduate coursework. All states require pharmacists to be licensed, which includes passing national and state-specific pharmacy licensure exams after graduation.

According to the most recent data, pharmacists earn a median of roughly $140,900 annually. Pay can vary based on practice setting, with hospital and outpatient care roles often paying more than retail pharmacy positions, and because pharmacist employment growth is projected to be slower than average, prospective students may want to research demand in their specific region before committing to this path.

7. Doctor of Optometry

A Doctor of Optometry (OD) typically requires four years of optometry school after a bachelor's degree, with coursework focused on eye health, vision correction, and diagnosing eye conditions. All states require optometrists to be licensed, which includes passing national board exams after graduation.

The most recent BLS data shows optometrists earn a median of roughly $136,600 annually. Optometrists who want to perform a broader range of eye surgeries typically pursue ophthalmology instead, which requires a medical degree, but an OD alone is sufficient for most private practice and clinical roles in this field.

8. Doctor of Physical Therapy

A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) typically takes three years to complete after a bachelor's degree, combining classroom instruction with extensive clinical training. Unlike some other doctoral fields on this list, physical therapists can begin independent practice immediately after passing the national licensing exam, without a required residency.

According to the most recent BLS data, physical therapists earn a median of roughly $101,020 annually. This field is projected to grow much faster than average, reflecting rising demand for rehabilitative care as the population ages.

9. Bachelor of Science in Nursing

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) typically takes four years to complete, combining nursing coursework with supervised clinical training across multiple specialties. Graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed as a registered nurse.

According to the most recent BLS data, registered nurses earn a median of roughly $97,550 annually. Because many employers, particularly larger hospital systems, increasingly prefer or require a BSN over an associate degree, this path can offer more job opportunities and room for advancement than a shorter nursing credential.

10. Diagnostic Medical Sonography

A bachelor's degree in diagnostic medical sonography typically takes four years to complete, combining classroom instruction in anatomy and physics with extensive clinical training in ultrasound imaging. Graduates must pass a national certification exam to become a registered sonographer.

According to the most recent BLS data, diagnostic medical sonographers earn a median of roughly $96,600 annually. Because this field includes several specialty areas, like abdominal, vascular, and obstetric sonography, students may want to research which specialization best fits their interests before choosing a program.

How to Choose a Medical Degree

Salary potential is a strong starting point, but a few other factors matter just as much when narrowing down which medical degree to pursue. Consider the following before committing to a program:

• Total timeline, not just degree length: Several fields on this list require years of residency or supervised experience beyond the degree itself before reaching full practice or top pay. Research the complete timeline for your specific field of interest.
• Licensing requirements: Every field on this list requires passing a licensing or certification exam after graduation, and some also require a period of supervised practice, so factor that into your overall plan.
• Day-to-day work: Patient-care fields vary significantly in their daily responsibilities, work settings, and level of patient interaction. Consider shadowing or talking with professionals in a specific field before committing to it.
• Job outlook: Some fields on this list, like physical therapy and nursing, are projected to grow faster than average, while others show more modest growth. Researching demand in your specific region can help set realistic expectations.

Weighing these factors alongside salary potential can help you choose a degree that fits both your interests and the realities of your specific field.

How Much Do Medical Degrees Cost?

Medical degrees span a wide range of costs depending on credential level and field. Doctoral and professional programs, particularly medicine, dentistry, and podiatry, represent some of the largest educational investments a student can make, while bachelor's-level fields, like nursing and diagnostic medical sonography, are considerably more affordable, especially through an in-state public program.

Costs vary based on program type and institution beyond just credential level. Fields with specialized clinical or imaging equipment, like medical dosimetry and diagnostic medical sonography, can carry additional lab and clinical placement fees compared to more general bachelor's degrees. Researching total program cost, including fees, equipment, and clinical training expenses, not just the advertised tuition rate, can help you get a clearer financial picture before enrolling.

How to Pay for a Medical Degree

     Medical degrees come with a wide range of costs, but several funding options can help offset the investment at every credential level.

• Federal financial aid: Completing the FAFSA opens the door to federal grants, work-study, and federal student loans, including Grad PLUS loans for graduate and professional students.
• Scholarships: Many schools, professional associations, and private organizations offer scholarships specific to fields like medicine, dentistry, or nursing.
• Employer-sponsored training: Some employers, particularly hospitals and healthcare systems, offer tuition assistance or sponsorship for employees pursuing a relevant medical degree.
• Military aid: Service members, veterans, and their families may qualify for benefits like the GI Bill or tuition assistance programs, which can cover some or all of the cost of a medical degree.
• Loan repayment and forgiveness programs: Several medical fields, particularly those facing workforce shortages, offer loan repayment assistance for graduates who commit to working in underserved or rural areas for a set period of time.

Because doctoral and professional medical degrees represent such a significant investment, researching a program's specific funding structure, scholarship opportunities, and loan repayment options is an especially important step before enrolling.

FAQs About Top 4-Year Medical Degrees That Pay Well

Here are answers to a few common questions about high-paying four-year medical degrees.

What's the Highest-Paying Degree on This List?

An MD or DO leads the list by a wide margin, with several physician specialties reporting median pay well above $500,000 annually. Dentistry and nurse anesthesia, which requires a DNP, also rank among the top earners.

Do All of These Degrees Take Exactly Four Years?

Most do, though a couple take slightly less. A DNP in nurse anesthesia and a DPT typically take three years each, while the rest of the degrees on this list follow a standard four-year timeline.

Which of These Degrees Leads to the Fastest Path to Practice?

Bachelor's-level fields, like nursing and diagnostic medical sonography, typically lead most directly into the workforce after graduation and licensure. Doctoral fields like medicine and podiatry require additional years of residency before reaching independent practice, even though the degree itself may take a similar amount of time.

Do I Need a Bachelor's Degree to Start Most of These Programs?

Yes, most of the doctoral and professional programs on this list, including MD, DDS, DPM, Pharm.D., and OD, require a bachelor's degree for admission. The DNP nurse anesthesia track specifically requires a BSN and prior critical care nursing experience.

Which of These Fields Has the Best Job Outlook?

Physical therapy and nursing are both projected to grow much faster than average. Because demand can vary significantly by region and specialty, researching local job availability is worth doing before committing to any of these paths.

Are Online Programs Available for Any of These Degrees?

Most of these fields require extensive hands-on clinical training that isn't well suited to a fully online format. Some coursework may be offered online as part of a hybrid format, but in-person clinical components remain a core part of every degree on this list.

Explore High-Paying Medical Degrees

A four year degree can catapult you to a high-paying career in the medical field. Start your journey by exploring the options and other resources featured on Learn.org.