Emergency Medicine Work-Life Balance: What Doctors Actually Say
Real insights from 6 verified Emergency Medicine physicians about their work-life balance, career satisfaction, and daily reality.
Verified Physician Data||SalaryDr Research Team
3.6/10
Avg Satisfaction
88%
Would Choose Again
90
Physician Responses
37
Avg Hours/Week
đź“‹ Key Takeaways: Emergency Medicine Lifestyle at a Glance
- •Career Satisfaction: Emergency Medicine physicians report 3.6/10 average satisfaction, with 88% saying they would choose the specialty again.
- •Work Hours: The average Emergency Medicine physician works 37 hours per week.
- •Experience Level: Insights based on physicians with an average of 7 years of experience.
- •Data Source: Based on 90 verified, anonymous physician submissions to SalaryDr.
đź’šWhat Do Emergency Medicine Physicians Love About Their Job?
"Being front lines of medicine, often first to make a diagnosis. I thrive on critical patients, trauma, and procedures, even after several years out from residency. "— Emergency Medicine Physician
"Variety, staff, sick patients, procedures"— Emergency Medicine Physician
"Getting paid more. Don’t ever take a low wage. You went through residency to become an expert in your field, get paid for it. "— Emergency Medicine Physician
⚖️Is Emergency Medicine a Good Work-Life Balance Specialty?
"I typically work between 17 to 20 shifts month which is consider a lot in Emergency Medicine, I work 10 to 12 hour shifts in a mix of days and nights and approximately 20 to 30% of the shit overnight. Sometimes I also work Locums where I charge $400 an hour and when I do that, I just cut some shit for my primary job."— Emergency Medicine Physician
"Shift work allows for a fair amount of days off, but frequently have to miss family events, sports games, etc because I’m often working evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, etc. Flip-flopping schedule from nights to days and back is like having constant jet lag."— Emergency Medicine Physician
"5- 12 hours shift per week. Sometimes 6 shifts. "— Emergency Medicine Physician
"I work 7-9 nights a month (12 hour shifts) with EM residents @280/hr. l. Then 4-5 24 hour shifts in a row at a hospital with midlevel crossover during the day and midlevel coverage overnight. In the ER 8a-8p and rarely get called in at night. @ 4600/24hr. Able to increase or cut back my schedule whenever. Great group. Typically receive a bonus of 3-6% of yearly earnings. Great benefits. "