Emergency Medicine Work-Life Balance: What Doctors Actually Say
Real insights from 4 verified Emergency Medicine physicians about their work-life balance, career satisfaction, and daily reality.
Verified Physician Data||SalaryDr Research Team
3.6/5
Avg Satisfaction
78%
Would Choose Again
9
Physician Responses
39
Avg Hours/Week
📋 Key Takeaways: Emergency Medicine Lifestyle at a Glance
- •Career Satisfaction: Emergency Medicine physicians report 3.6/5 average satisfaction, with 78% saying they would choose the specialty again.
- •Work Hours: The average Emergency Medicine physician works 39 hours per week.
- •Experience Level: Insights based on physicians with an average of 7 years of experience.
- •Data Source: Based on 9 verified, anonymous physician submissions to SalaryDr.
💚What 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
"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
"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. "