We compared pathologic complete response (pCR) rate, toxicity, and postoperative complications between patients treated preoperatively with 50.4 Gy versus dose escalation with dose-painting intensity-modulated radiation therapy (dp-IMRT) to 56 Gy in locally advanced esophageal cancer. We evaluated esophageal cancer patients treated between 2006 and 2014 with preoperative IMRT chemoradiation to a dose of 50.4 Gy versus 56 Gy. The endpoints were pCR and toxicity. We identified 113 patients (50.4 Gy: n = 40; 56 Gy: n = 73). There were no significant differences in tumor or patient characteristics. Patients treated with 56 Gy demonstrated a higher pCR rate (56.2% vs. 30.0%) and lower pathologic nonresponse rate (4.1% vs. 20.0%) compared to patients treated to 50.4 Gy (P = 0.008). This remained significant on multivariate analysis (OR 3.375 95%CI 1.3-8.8, P = 0.013). Patients treated to 56 Gy also had an improved 3-year locoregional control rate compared to those treated to 50.4 Gy (93.8% vs. 78.5%; P = 0.022). The estimated 3-year freedom from failure was also superior in the 56 Gy arm (73.7% vs. 52.2%; P = 0.051), approaching significance. There were no differences in treatment related grade ≥3 toxicities, hospital admissions, feeding tube, esophageal stent placement, or dilation. There was, however, a statistically significant increase in postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients treated with 56 Gy (30.1% vs. 12.5%; P = 0.036). There was no difference in postoperative 30 or 60 day mortality. Dose escalation to 56 Gy with dp-IMRT is safe and results in significantly higher complete pathologic response rates in esophageal cancer without an increase in treatment-related toxicity. Prospective trials using dp-IMRT are needed to address the role of dose escalation on pCR rate and survival in esophageal cancer.