⚖️
Best Work-Life Balance Specialties
Medical specialties ranked by work-life balance and hours worked
Verified Physician Data|Updated August 2026|4,196+ Responses
📋 Key Takeaways
- •#1 Specialty: Orthodontist (32 hrs/week avg)
- •Data Source: Based on 4,196 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 | 16 | View → |
| 2 | Pediatric Dentist | 32 hrs | 6 | View → |
| 3 | Endodontist | 34 hrs | 13 | View → |
| 4 | General Dentist | 36 hrs | 154 | View → |
| 5 | Dermatology | 41 hrs | 91 | View → |
| 6 | Allergy/Immunology | 41 hrs | 45 | View → |
| 7 | Medical Genetics | 42 hrs | 17 | View → |
| 8 | Endocrinology | 42 hrs | 63 | View → |
| 9 | Addiction Medicine | 42 hrs | 16 | View → |
| 10 | Clinical Informatics | 42 hrs | 12 | View → |
| 11 | Sleep Medicine | 42 hrs | 14 | View → |
| 12 | Occupational Medicine | 42 hrs | 28 | View → |
| 13 | Geriatrics | 42 hrs | 19 | View → |
| 14 | Preventive Medicine | 42 hrs | 20 | View → |
| 15 | Rheumatology | 43 hrs | 60 | View → |
| 16 | Emergency Medicine | 43 hrs | 173 | View → |
| 17 | Infectious Disease | 43 hrs | 73 | View → |
| 18 | Psychiatry | 43 hrs | 123 | View → |
| 19 | Palliative Care | 43 hrs | 16 | View → |
| 20 | Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | 44 hrs | 45 | View → |
| 21 | Pathology | 45 hrs | 63 | View → |
| 22 | Child Neurology | 45 hrs | 23 | View → |
| 23 | Ophthalmology | 46 hrs | 116 | View → |
| 24 | Pain Management | 46 hrs | 28 | View → |
| 25 | Sports Medicine | 46 hrs | 15 | 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 August 11, 2026.