🎯 Physician Lifestyle Insights
Go beyond salary data. Discover what it's really like to practice in different medical specialties with authentic insights from real physicians about work-life balance, career satisfaction, and daily life.
41
Specialties
1690
Physician Insights
Real
Physician-Reported
Internal Medicine
3.5/5 Satisfaction85% Would Choose Again
330 physician insights →
Family Medicine
3.7/5 Satisfaction86% Would Choose Again
125 physician insights →
Anesthesiology
3.7/5 Satisfaction90% Would Choose Again
109 physician insights →
General Surgery
3.5/5 Satisfaction92% Would Choose Again
105 physician insights →
General Dentist
3.7/5 Satisfaction86% Would Choose Again
94 physician insights →
Cardiology
3.7/5 Satisfaction96% Would Choose Again
88 physician insights →
Emergency Medicine
3.7/5 Satisfaction82% Would Choose Again
80 physician insights →
Psychiatry
3.7/5 Satisfaction93% Would Choose Again
66 physician insights →
Orthopedic Surgery
3.8/5 Satisfaction98% Would Choose Again
63 physician insights →
Radiology
3.8/5 Satisfaction98% Would Choose Again
62 physician insights →
Pediatrics
3.7/5 Satisfaction90% Would Choose Again
52 physician insights →
Neurology
3.7/5 Satisfaction88% Would Choose Again
46 physician insights →
Ophthalmology
4.0/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
40 physician insights →
Urology
3.9/5 Satisfaction94% Would Choose Again
40 physician insights →
Neurosurgery
3.6/5 Satisfaction97% Would Choose Again
35 physician insights →
Gastroenterology
3.8/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
32 physician insights →
Hematology/Oncology
3.4/5 Satisfaction96% Would Choose Again
29 physician insights →
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
4.4/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
26 physician insights →
Pathology
3.9/5 Satisfaction90% Would Choose Again
23 physician insights →
Cardiothoracic Surgery
3.9/5 Satisfaction95% Would Choose Again
23 physician insights →
Interventional Radiology
3.6/5 Satisfaction89% Would Choose Again
22 physician insights →
Obstetrics & Gynecology
3.7/5 Satisfaction94% Would Choose Again
21 physician insights →
Plastic Surgery
4.2/5 Satisfaction88% Would Choose Again
21 physician insights →
Radiation Oncology
3.5/5 Satisfaction87% Would Choose Again
18 physician insights →
Vascular Surgery
3.7/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
16 physician insights →
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
3.5/5 Satisfaction92% Would Choose Again
13 physician insights →
Allergy/Immunology
3.7/5 Satisfaction90% Would Choose Again
11 physician insights →
Critical Care
3.6/5 Satisfaction80% Would Choose Again
11 physician insights →
Dermatology
3.8/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
10 physician insights →
Orthodontist
4.8/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
10 physician insights →
Otolaryngology
3.9/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
9 physician insights →
Infectious Disease
3.6/5 Satisfaction88% Would Choose Again
8 physician insights →
Nephrology
3.1/5 Satisfaction63% Would Choose Again
8 physician insights →
Pulmonology
4.2/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
6 physician insights →
Preventive Medicine
3.2/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
5 physician insights →
Endocrinology
3.2/5 Satisfaction80% Would Choose Again
5 physician insights →
Interventional Pain Management
4.8/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
5 physician insights →
Endodontist
3.3/5 Satisfaction50% Would Choose Again
4 physician insights →
Pain Management
3.8/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
4 physician insights →
Neonatology
3.7/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
4 physician insights →
Rheumatology
2.8/5 Satisfaction33% Would Choose Again
4 physician insights →
Top Negotiation Tips from Physicians
“I have to pay my malpractice insurance myself I wish I would've asked my employer for it instead of incentive based bonus”— Emergency Medicine Physician
“After doing 1099 locums, I could never go back to W2 employed. When you are W2 you get a set salary but the hospital can milk you for every dollar, and your hourly rate is generally half or less than that on 1099 hourly model. Even the days and weekends I work late or overtime I am extremely satisfied because I know im getting paid for that time. ”— Anesthesiology Physician
“I was new so and I tried to negotiate for higher salary but he straight up said no.”— Internal Medicine Physician
“Be bold and believe in yourself. My Mayo clinic residency has been instrumental to not only my success financially, but more importantly, my clinical competency. ”— Internal Medicine Physician
“Go 1099. Don't fall for the trap of W2 unless you are looking for a job that is really light with benefits. Otherwise W2 is a horrible position to be in for psychiatrists. ”— Psychiatry Physician
“Find a database that gives you access to salary data for your region. Know your value and always ask for more than you’re willing to accept. ”— Pediatrics Physician
Explore More Insights
Compare Specialties
Side-by-side comparison of salary, satisfaction, and work-life balance across specialties.
Specialty Rankings
See which specialties rank highest for satisfaction, work-life balance, and compensation.
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