SALT LAKE CITY — Utah is one of the best places in the country for doctors to live and work, according to a new WalletHub study that ranked the Beehive State fifth overall for its balance of financial opportunity and medical environment.
The study assessed all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 19 key metrics, from physician salaries to malpractice insurance rates and the quality of hospital systems. Utah placed 18th for average annual physician wages when adjusted for cost of living, and 14th for malpractice award payout amounts per capita.
“Setting up a practice in one of the best states for doctors can have a profound effect on your medical career,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “Not only will you be working in top-quality medical facilities and earning high salaries, you’ll be less likely to burn out and pay less for malpractice insurance.”
Despite ranking only 25th in projected physicians per capita by 2032, Utah performed well in several areas, including 8th in the punitiveness of its medical board and 23rd for annual malpractice insurance premiums.
The report comes as Utah continues to develop its broader health care and life sciences innovation ecosystem, with key geographic concentrations identified in Salt Lake and Cache counties. According to a December 2024 report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Cache County’s life sciences industry is anchored by Utah State University and companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific and Cytiva. The region is seeing increased investment in research, medical devices, and workforce development to meet growing statewidedemand in biotechnology and medical manufacturing.
Idaho is ranked 11th overall on the list, 8th specifically in Opportunity and Competition Rank and 21st in Medical Environment Rank. Idaho is also listed as the 5th least expensive state for Annual Malpractice Liability Insurance.
Medical professionals and policymakers alike remain wary of national challenges affecting the field. Elena Andreyeva, a health policy professor at Texas A&M, warned that potential cuts to Medicaid and federal insurance subsidies could strain doctors and hospitals, especially if more patients become uninsured.
Meanwhile, guidance for future doctors remains grounded in passion over pay.
“Follow your heart,” said Robert H. Hopkins, professor of pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. “Sure, you will be better financially rewarded in some fields than others; but those driven by the almighty dollar and not by professional satisfaction are most likely to feel stress and burnout.”
See how each state ranked here: