Physicians could be missing out on opportunities to negotiate their employment contracts according to Medscape’s “Physician Compensation Report 2026,” published April 10.
The survey collected responses from 5,916 full-time physicians across more than 29 specialties between Sept. 5 and Dec. 17, 2025.
Here are three takeaways from the report:
1. While healthcare professionals are typically encouraged to be fortnight in negotiating fo rpay and benefits, 26% of respondents said they were at most “moderately” aggressive the last time they negotiated their salary.
2. Another 21% said they were slightly aggressive, and another 27% said they were not aggressive at all.
3. Twenty-seven percent said that negotiation was not an option in their most recent contract negotiation.
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