2025 Physician Relations Manager Salary Trends & Insights

2025 Physician Relations Manager Salary Trends & Insights. Estimated reading time: 8 minutes.

Key Takeaways

• Base salary typically ranges from $84,000–$115,000, but total compensation varies widely.
• Top sources like Salary.com, PayScale and ZipRecruiter show different ranges — compare offers carefully.
• Bonuses, commissions and benefits can add 20–30% (or more) to the overall package.
• Geography and experience matter: relocating to large metro hubs or gaining leadership experience can significantly increase pay.
• Tip: Evaluate the full compensation mix — base pay, incentives, and benefits — before deciding.

Below you’ll find a practical breakdown of pay ranges, regional differences, incentive structures, and negotiation tips to help you benchmark or advance your career as a physician relations manager.

Introduction

Healthcare networks are growing rapidly, and the professionals who bridge the gap between hospitals and physicians are in higher demand than ever. If you’re considering this career path or looking to benchmark your compensation, understanding physician relations manager salary trends is crucial in 2025.

A physician relations manager oversees partnerships, referral networks, and engagement strategies between healthcare providers. They build and maintain relationships that help healthcare organizations thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.

How much does a physician relations manager make? In 2025, the average U.S. base salary ranges from $84,000–$115,000, though total compensation can be significantly higher when including bonuses and benefits.

This comprehensive guide will break down:

• Base salary ranges and total compensation
• State-by-state salary averages
• Bonus structures and incentive plans
• How pay changes across career stages
• Comparisons with related healthcare roles
• Benefits and perks that enhance the compensation package
• Tips for negotiating the best possible offer

Physician Relations Manager Salary Range & Total Compensation

The physician relations manager salary range in the United States typically falls between $84,000 and $115,000 for base pay, depending on factors like location, experience, and employer size.

According to Salary.com, the average physician relations manager earns $114,377, with a typical range spanning from $102,061 to $132,853. Top earners may reach $149,675 or more.

PayScale reports a lower average of $84,475, with reported salaries ranging from $55,000 to $164,000 for senior professionals.

ZipRecruiter shows the median at $85,090, aligning more closely with PayScale.

Beyond base pay, compensation often includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement contributions and 401(k) matching
• Generous paid time off
• Professional development stipends and continuing education
• Life and disability insurance
• Wellness programs and flexible work options

These benefits can add an estimated 20–30% to the total value of compensation, so when comparing offers look at the full package rather than base pay alone.

Additional regional salary insights are available on Comparably and in compensation benchmarking reports like MDliaison’s compensation benchmarks.

When considering relocation, calculate cost-of-living adjustments to determine whether higher nominal pay translates to better purchasing power.

Physician Relations Manager Bonus, Commission & Incentive Plans

Many physician relations managers earn additional compensation through performance-based bonuses or commissions. Typical bonus ranges are 5–15% of base salary and are tied to measurable goals.

Common bonus metrics include:

• Growth in referral volume from targeted physicians
• Successful onboarding of new providers
• Patient retention and satisfaction scores
• Provider engagement and satisfaction ratings

PayScale data shows bonuses ranging from $1,000 to over $20,000 depending on role and organization.

Commission structures are less common but can exist where network growth directly impacts revenue — examples include per-provider onboarding fees or percentage rewards for exceeding referral targets.

For more on designing incentive plans and benchmarks, see MDliaison’s compensation benchmarks.

For role definitions and responsibilities see physician liaison role functions & responsibilities and benchmark figures on PayScale.

To accelerate pay growth:

1. Pursue relevant certifications and targeted training.
2. Document measurable impact — referral growth, retention, revenue influence.
3. Gain experience across service lines and consider relocation to higher-paying markets.
4. Accept leadership tasks and manage projects that demonstrate strategic value.

Employment models vary — in-house roles typically offer stable benefits, while contract or consulting models can pay more hourly but often lack full benefits. Choose the model that fits your priorities: cash compensation vs. stability and benefits.

If you want help benchmarking a specific offer or planning a negotiation strategy, collect your market data and measurable accomplishments — and use them to make a compelling case.