Rheumatologist Salary in California

How much does a Rheumatologist make in California?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Rheumatologist in California is $328,180 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $158.

However, a Rheumatologist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $393,059
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $308,910 to $362,140
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $291,366
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View as table View as graph 25% $308,910 10% $291,366 90% $393,059 75% $362,140 $328,180 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Rheumatologist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $362,140 $30,178 $6,964 $174
Average $328,180 $27,348 $6,311 $158
25th Percentile $308,910 $25,743 $5,941 $149
Check out Rheumatologist Job Openings in California
Rheumatologist

UPLAND RHEUMATOLOGIST CENTER - Upland, CA

Rheumatologist

Community Health System - Fresno, CA

Rheumatologist

InSync Healthcare Recruiters - San Francisco, CA

Rheumatologist

Community Medical Centers - Fresno, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Rheumatologist Salaries

A Rheumatologist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Rheumatologist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Rheumatologist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $320,410
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $321,848
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $323,286
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $325,300
  • Expert (over 8 years): $330,710
Levels Salary
Entry Level Rheumatologist$320,410
Intermediate Level Rheumatologist$321,848
Senior Level Rheumatologist$323,286
Specialist Level Rheumatologist$325,300
Expert Level Rheumatologist$330,710
$320,410 0 yr
$321,848 < 2 yrs
$323,286 2-4 yrs
$325,300 5-8 yrs
$330,710 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Rheumatologists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $328,750
  • West Hollywood: $328,510
  • Dodgertown: $328,740

Rheumatologist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Rheumatologist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $369,279. While startup companies pay approximate $313,652.

Rheumatologist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$313,652
Growth Stage51~500$331,369
Established501~5000$356,926
Enterprise5000+$369,279

Rheumatologist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Rheumatologist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Rheumatologist positions in Biotechnology or Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Rheumatologist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Rheumatologist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$393,816$189.020%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$360,998$174.010%

Rheumatologist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Rheumatologist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Find Your Next Rheumatologist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Rheumatologist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • MCM &amp; Associates, LLC

    Eureka, CA

    MCM &amp; Associates, LLC | Eureka, CA

    Rheumatologist. Providence Medical Group is seeking a full-time, board-certified/board-eligible Rheumatologist to join a talented, well-trained and compass... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Clinicas Del Camino Real

    Ventura, CA

    Clinicas Del Camino Real | Ventura, CA

    Make a Meaningful Difference in Ventura County Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc., a nonprofit healthcare organization serving Ventura County since 1971, is se... more

    8 Days Ago

  • The Permanente Medical Group

    Anaheim, CA

    The Permanente Medical Group | Anaheim, CA

    The Permanente Medical Group, Inc. (TPMG - Kaiser Permanente Northern California) is one of the largest medical groups in the nation with over 10,000 physi... more

    8 Days Ago

  • El Camino Health Medical Network

    San Jose, CA

    El Camino Health Medical Network | San Jose, CA

    Seeking a full-time BC/BE Rheumatologist physician to join our growing multi-specialty group.Position DetailsGeneral outpatient Rheumatology practice in mu... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Group (LLUFMG)

    Loma Linda, CA

    Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Group (LLUFMG) | Loma Linda, CA

    Rheumatologist. Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Group, Department of Internal Medicine is seeking a Rheumatologist to join our team. Are you looking ... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Los Angeles, CA

    Confidential | Los Angeles, CA

    Join our thriving and compassionate rheumatology practice in beautiful Woodland Hills, conveniently located on Ventura Boulevard, just minutes from West Hi... more

    8 Days Ago

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