10 Best States to Work in Hematology/Oncology

Choosing where to build your career as a hematologist/oncologist is one of the most significant decisions you will make. It's about more than just a salary; it's about finding an environment that fuels your professional ambitions and complements your personal life. The most coveted locations offer a thriving clinical practice, access to cutting-edge research, and a community where you can truly thrive.

In this guide, we break down the top states for hematologists/oncologists, going beyond the numbers to explore what makes each one unique. From the world-renowned research hubs of the coasts to the prestigious academic centers of the heartland, we’ve highlighted the key factors (from leading hospital systems and programs to lifestyle and earning potential) to help you find the perfect place to practice.

A note on data: Salary data is made available by ZipRecruiter for full time hematology/oncology roles. May be supplemented with medical oncology data as needed.

Best States to Work in Hematology/Oncology

1. California
2. New York
3. Massachusetts
4. Vermont
5. Ohio
6. Georgia
7. Connecticut
8. Wisconsin
9. Delaware
10. Washington
11. How we chose the best states to work in
12. Let's help you find a high-impact role

1. California

California offers hematologists/oncologists a dynamic and rewarding career against a backdrop of unparalleled lifestyle diversity. With a top-tier salary that allows for a comfortable living even in higher-cost areas, professionals can choose between the iconic urban energy of Los Angeles and San Francisco, the burgeoning tech-scene of the Bay Area, or the more relaxed pace of San Diego. The state is a powerhouse of medical innovation, home to world-renowned institutions that are leaders in cancer research and treatment. 

Here you’ll have access to pioneers at places like the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Stanford Cancer Institute, or the City of Hope National Medical Center, all of which offer access to cutting-edge clinical trials and multidisciplinary approaches. 

• Best for: Access to world-leading cancer research institutions and a high salary amidst a unparalleled variety of lifestyles.
• Hematology/Oncology salary: $387,519
• Average hourly rate: $186
• Hematology/Oncology jobs in California

2. New York

New York provides a fast-paced, academically rich environment for hematologists/oncologists seeking to be at the epicenter of medical excellence. The salary is highly competitive, supporting a life in a state that buzzes with cultural and professional opportunity. The concentration of elite hospital systems and cancer centers in New York City alone is staggering, featuring globally recognized names like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, and the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University. 

Beyond NYC, major academic hubs in Rochester, Buffalo, and Albany offer strong regional systems with deep community ties. The state's dense network of medical schools and teaching hospitals creates a vibrant intellectual community, perfect for physicians who thrive on the constant exchange of ideas and the challenge of practicing in a high-stakes, collaborative environment.

• Best for: Practicing within a dense network of elite, world-renowned cancer centers and academic medical powerhouses.
• Hematology/Oncology salary: $368,885
• Average hourly rate: $177
• Hematology/Oncology jobs in New York

3. Massachusetts

Massachusetts stands as a global epicenter for biomedical innovation and clinical excellence, offering hematologists/oncologists an intellectually vibrant and highly rewarding career. The state boasts the highest salary on this list, providing the financial means to enjoy its rich history and diverse coastal and urban landscapes. 

Here, you would have the privilege of practicing in the shadow of legendary hospitals like Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which partners with Brigham and Women's Hospital and Boston Children's Hospital to form a comprehensive cancer care powerhouse, and Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. This environment is ideal for physicians who are passionate about contributing to the next breakthroughs in cancer care while training the next generation of specialists.

• Best for: Being at the forefront of cancer research and treatment within a world-renowned cluster of academic hospitals and biotech innovation.
• Hematology/Oncology salary: $428,835*
• Average hourly rate: $206*
• Hematology/Oncology jobs in Massachusetts

*Based on Medical Oncology salary data. 

4. Vermont

Vermont offers hematologists/oncologists a unique opportunity to build a deeply impactful career within a close-knit community, all while enjoying the state's renowned natural beauty and quality of life. The salary is surprisingly robust and highly competitive, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle amid the Green Mountains. While it lacks the massive academic hubs of larger states, Vermont's strength lies in its high-quality, progressive regional care centered around the University of Vermont Medical Center and the UVM Health Network, which is affiliated with the Larner College of Medicine.

Vermont offers a chance to maintain connections to broader research and teaching missions, often with a focus on rural and community health. This setting is perfect for a physician seeking a balanced life where world-class outdoor recreation and a strong sense of community are integral parts of the career package.

• Best for: Physicians seeking a high-impact role in a collaborative, community-focused health system with an exceptional quality of life.
• Hematology/Oncology salary: $417,498*
• Average hourly rate: $201*
• Hematology/Oncology jobs in Vermont

*Based on Medical Oncology salary data. 

5. Ohio

Ohio presents a compelling value proposition for hematologists/oncologists, combining a strong salary with a very affordable cost of living, maximizing both professional and personal fulfillment. The state features a robust and diverse healthcare landscape with several major academic powerhouses that drive innovation. A hematologist/oncologist would find exceptional opportunities within systems like the Cleveland Clinic, consistently ranked among the top hospitals globally for gastroenterology and cancer care, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (James Cancer Hospital) in Columbus, a leader in research and tertiary care, and the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland. 

These institutions offer access to cutting-edge clinical trials and multidisciplinary tumor boards, ensuring a stimulating practice environment. With major metropolitan areas like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati offering rich cultural amenities and a manageable pace of life, Ohio is an ideal state for those seeking a high-impact career without the extreme pressures of coastal living.

• Best for: Access to top-tier, nationally recognized hospital systems and an excellent balance of high earning potential with a low cost of living.
• Hematology/Oncology salary: $373,302
• Average hourly rate: $179
• Hematology/Oncology jobs in Ohio

6. Georgia

Georgia offers hematologists/oncologists a dynamic and growing practice environment, anchored by the bustling economic and cultural hub of Atlanta. The salary is competitive, and when paired with Georgia's relatively low cost of living and mild climate, it provides for a comfortable and sustainable lifestyle. 

The centerpiece of the state's medical community is Atlanta, which is home to the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, the state's only NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, offering an oncologist a vast referral network and a deep pipeline of innovative research. Additionally, the Atrium Health Navicent system in Macon and the John B. Amos Cancer Center in Columbus provide major regional options for those seeking opportunities outside the capital. The rapid population growth in the state ensures a strong and steady demand for specialized oncology services, making Georgia an excellent choice for physicians looking to build a long-term, prosperous career in the thriving Southeast.

• Best for: Building a thriving career within a major Southeastern hub for healthcare and research, complemented by a favorable climate and cost of living.
• Hematology/Oncology salary: $331,557
• Average hourly rate: $154
• Hematology/Oncology jobs in Georgia

7. Connecticut

Connecticut offers hematologists/oncologists a prestigious and highly rewarding career within easy reach of both New England's charm and the professional opportunities of the New York metropolitan area. The state's robust salary supports a high quality of life in its picturesque towns and coastal communities. The appeal lies in the state's concentration of elite, academically affiliated health systems, including the Yale New Haven Health System, home to the NCI-Designated Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital, which serves as a major referral center for complex cases. 

Additionally, the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute and the Comprehensive Cancer Center at UConn Health provide other top-tier, collaborative environments with strong research portfolios and fellowship programs. This combination of Ivy League medicine, community-focused care, and proximity to major urban centers creates a perfect balance for physicians seeking intellectual stimulation without sacrificing a more relaxed, suburban or coastal lifestyle.

• Best for: Practicing in a state with elite academic medicine and a high standard of living, all while enjoying easy access to both New England and New York City.
• Hematology/Oncology salary: $373,533
• Average hourly rate: $180
• Hematology/Oncology jobs in Connecticut

8. Wisconsin

Wisconsin provides hematologists/oncologists with a perfect blend of a top-tier academic environment and a famously high quality of life, all supported by a salary that affords significant financial comfort. The state's appeal is anchored by Madison and Milwaukee, both of which offer vibrant cultural scenes alongside access to the state's abundant natural beauty and recreational activities. 

An oncologist would be drawn to the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center in Madison, renowned for its pioneering research and multidisciplinary care models, particularly in gastrointestinal cancers. In Milwaukee, the Medical College of Wisconsin and Froedtert Hospital system form a major academic medical center that is a leading referral hub for the region. This environment is ideal for physicians who value a collaborative, innovative spirit and seek a career that seamlessly integrates world-class medicine with a balanced, family-friendly lifestyle.

• Best for: Physicians seeking a top-tier academic career combined with an exceptional quality of life in the nation's heartland.
• Hematology/Oncology salary: $396,334
• Average hourly rate: $191
• Hematology/Oncology jobs in Wisconsin

9. Delaware

Delaware offers hematologists/oncologists a highly strategic and rewarding practice environment, combining a strong salary with the significant advantage of having no state or local sales tax. Its prime location in the Mid-Atlantic corridor provides easy access to the major academic and cultural centers of Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., while maintaining a more manageable and community-oriented scale. 

The clinical landscape is dominated by the ChristianaCare system, a national leader in gastroenterology and surgical care and home to the ChristianaCare Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, a robust community cancer center with an extensive network of clinical trials. Furthermore, the state's partnership with the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia ensures a direct pipeline to cutting-edge research and complex sub-specialty support, making it an ideal setting for physicians who want to practice high-quality medicine within a tight-knit community while staying connected to major academic resources.

• Best for: An accessible, community-focused practice with high earning potential and seamless connections to major metropolitan academic centers.
• Hematology/Oncology salary: $393,000
• Average hourly rate: $189
• Hematology/Oncology jobs in Delaware 

10. Washington

Washington state presents a compelling opportunity for hematologists/oncologists, featuring the highest reported salary in the nation alongside the stunning natural backdrop of the Pacific Northwest. The thriving metropolitan hub of Seattle is a magnet for medical talent, driven by globally recognized institutions and a strong technology sector that fosters innovation in healthcare. You can find a dynamic and progressive environment at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, world-renowned for its pioneering research in immunotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, and cancer prevention. 

This is complemented by the strong academic programs at the University of Washington Medical Center and the Seattle Children's Hospital system. For those drawn to outdoor adventure, from the mountains to the coast, and a culture of innovation, Washington offers an unparalleled professional and personal lifestyle.

• Best for: Earning a top-tier salary while working at the forefront of cancer research in a stunning natural environment.
• Hematology/Oncology salary: $444,563*
• Average hourly rate: $214*
• Hematology/Oncology jobs in Washington

*Based on Medical Oncology salary data. 

How We Chose the Best States for Hematologists/Oncologists

Selecting the top states for hematologists/oncologists required balancing objective data with qualitative factors that impact career satisfaction and quality of life. Our methodology focused on four key pillars:

1. Compensation & Job Market: We analyzed average salaries, hourly wages, and employment data to identify states where cardiologists are competitively compensated. Location quotients helped determine market saturation—whether a state has higher demand (quotient >1) or fewer opportunities (quotient <1) relative to national averages.
2. Hospital Systems & Academic Opportunities: States with nationally ranked programs (e.g., Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, or academic hubs like Emory and Stanford) scored higher, as these institutions offer career growth, research opportunities, and cutting-edge practice environments.
3. Quality of Life & Cost of Living: We considered taxes, housing affordability, and lifestyle perks (e.g., outdoor recreation, urban amenities). States with no income tax (Texas, Florida) or high salary-to-cost-of-living ratios (Georgia, Ohio) gained an edge.
4. Legislation & Practice Environment: Malpractice climates, physician-friendly tort reforms, and state healthcare policies were factored in. For example, Texas’s malpractice caps and California’s strong physician protections make these states more appealing for long-term practice.

While salary and employment numbers provided the foundation, we also incorporated insights from physician recruiters and regional trends (e.g., aging populations in Florida, tech-driven innovation in California) to ensure our recommendations reflect real-world desirability. 

Let Us Help You Find Your Next Hematology/Oncology Role

Ready to find a hematology/oncology opportunity that aligns with your career ambitions and lifestyle goals? The expert team at Era Locums specializes in connecting top-tier talent with premier placements across the nation. Whether you're drawn to the academic prestige of the Northeast, the booming communities of the West, or the rewarding practice environments in between, we have the network and insight to find your perfect fit. 

Don't just read about your next career move—make it happen. Reach out to a dedicated recruiter at Era Locums today for a personalized consultation.