Hire Physicians in California
California has 128,529 licensed physicians — ranking #1 nationally. Median salary: $229k. Healthcare jobs growing 8%.
California ranks #1 of 51 states for physicians with 128,529 providers (1289 per 100K residents, 424% above the national average of 246). Los Angeles leads with 11,200 providers. Average time-to-fill: ~35 days. Sign-on bonuses avg $15,000.
Recruit Physicians in Major Cities
Physicians Salary & Compensation in California
To recruit mid-career physicians in California, target offers at $240,765+. Sign-on bonuses averaging $15,000 can help close competitive candidates. (Source: BLS OOH)
Physicians Supply by City in California
| City | Providers | Per 100K | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 11,200 | 280 | 4,000,000 |
| San Diego | 3,920 | 280 | 1,400,000 |
| San Jose | 2,800 | 280 | 1,000,000 |
| San Francisco | 2,450 | 280 | 875,000 |
| Fresno | 1,512 | 280 | 540,000 |
| Sacramento | 1,470 | 280 | 525,000 |
| Long Beach | 1,316 | 280 | 470,000 |
| Oakland | 1,204 | 280 | 430,000 |
| Bakersfield | 1,078 | 280 | 385,000 |
| Anaheim | 980 | 280 | 350,000 |
10 cities in California have physicians data. National average: 246 per 100K residents.
California Recruiting Market Overview
California ranks #1 of 51 states for physicians with 128,529 providers (1289 per 100K residents, 424% above the national average of 246). Los Angeles leads with 11,200 providers.
California is not a compact state — individual licensure required. NPs have full practice authority.
With 8.4% annual turnover, California sees approximately 10,796 physicians position changes per year. Top retention factors: work-life balance (85%), competitive salary (82%), and supportive management (78%).
Average time-to-fill is ~35 days. Recruiters should factor in 60-120 days for hospital credentialing and 90-180 days for insurance paneling.
Top Specializations
Frequently Asked Questions: Hiring Physicians in California
How many physicians are in California?
California has 128,529 licensed physicians, ranking #1 nationally with 1289 per 100K residents. Source: CMS NPPES NPI Registry.
What is the salary for physicians in California?
The national median is $229,300. Entry-level: $174,268, Senior: $286,625. Sign-on bonuses averaging $15,000 are common for hard-to-fill roles. Source: BLS 2024.
Is California a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
No, California requires individual state licensure. The compact includes 42 member states.
Which cities in California have the most physicians?
Top cities: Los Angeles (11,200), San Diego (3,920), San Jose (2,800). Los Angeles has 280 per 100K residents.
What is the turnover rate for physicians in California?
Annual turnover averages 8.4%. Top exit reasons: burnout (35%), better pay (28%). Proactive retention programs reduce turnover 25-40%.
How long does recruiting physicians take?
Average time-to-fill is ~35 days (low competition). Hospital credentialing adds 60-120 days. Start the process early to avoid staffing gaps.
Other Healthcare Professionals in California
Resources for Hiring Physicians
Access 1.75M+ Healthcare Workers
Get instant access to 0+ verified physicians in California