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Best Work-Life Balance Specialties
Medical specialties ranked by work-life balance and hours worked
Verified Physician Data|Updated September 2026|4,522+ Responses
📋 Key Takeaways
- •#1 Specialty: Orthodontist (32 hrs/week avg)
- •Data Source: Based on 4,522 verified physician responses to SalaryDr.
- •Minimum Sample: Only specialties with 5+ responses included for statistical reliability.
| Rank | Specialty | Avg Hours/Week | Responses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orthodontist | 32 hrs | 19 | View → |
| 2 | Pediatric Dentist | 32 hrs | 6 | View → |
| 3 | Endodontist | 34 hrs | 14 | View → |
| 4 | General Dentist | 36 hrs | 160 | View → |
| 5 | Interventional Pain Management | 39 hrs | 5 | View → |
| 6 | Allergy/Immunology | 41 hrs | 45 | View → |
| 7 | Dermatology | 41 hrs | 92 | View → |
| 8 | Endocrinology | 42 hrs | 63 | View → |
| 9 | Occupational Medicine | 42 hrs | 28 | View → |
| 10 | Preventive Medicine | 42 hrs | 22 | View → |
| 11 | Addiction Medicine | 42 hrs | 16 | View → |
| 12 | Clinical Informatics | 42 hrs | 12 | View → |
| 13 | Sleep Medicine | 42 hrs | 14 | View → |
| 14 | Medical Genetics | 42 hrs | 17 | View → |
| 15 | Geriatrics | 42 hrs | 19 | View → |
| 16 | Psychiatry | 43 hrs | 141 | View → |
| 17 | Emergency Medicine | 43 hrs | 188 | View → |
| 18 | Palliative Care | 43 hrs | 16 | View → |
| 19 | Rheumatology | 44 hrs | 62 | View → |
| 20 | Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | 44 hrs | 46 | View → |
| 21 | Infectious Disease | 44 hrs | 78 | View → |
| 22 | Pathology | 45 hrs | 66 | View → |
| 23 | Child Neurology | 45 hrs | 23 | View → |
| 24 | Sports Medicine | 46 hrs | 15 | View → |
| 25 | Pain Management | 46 hrs | 29 | View → |
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this ranking calculated?
Rankings are based on aggregated data from verified physician responses submitted to SalaryDr. We only include specialties with at least 5 responses to ensure statistical reliability. Hours reflect self-reported average weekly hours including clinical and administrative time.
How often is this data updated?
Our database is continuously updated as new physician responses are submitted and verified. This page reflects the latest available data as of September 25, 2026.