Should I Choose Emergency Medicine?
Real decision-making data from 56 verified Emergency Medicine physicians. Here is what they actually think.
The Verdict
An overwhelming 83% of Emergency Medicine physicians say they would choose the specialty again -- a strong endorsement.
What Physicians Love About Emergency Medicine
“I'm not the best compensated at $270/hour where I live, but my hours are good. There are some areas that make $300+/hr. Very few resources in the hospital but enough for me to start chipping away at loans. ”— Emergency Medicine Physician
“Unfortunately, Emergency Medicine now was driven by patient’s satisfaction scores, and many times you don’t do what best for the patient but what they want and that’s not good medicine. Many times patients request a specific test or have a very high expectation from a ER visit and if you don’t order it, they will give a 1 star review on google write your name on it.”— Emergency Medicine Physician
Work-Life Balance Reality in Emergency Medicine
“Clock in, clock out and done.”— Emergency Medicine Resident
“High burnout risk working in high volume and/or high acuity ERs. ”— Emergency Medicine Physician
“I don't have a life I'm only 27 I'm more focused on making money rn I take any shifts that come up to me I work 14-15 hr per day but i have a 150k malpractice insurance ”— Emergency Medicine Physician
How Emergency Medicine Compares
See how Emergency Medicine stacks up against other popular specialties.
| Specialty | Satisfaction | Would Choose Again |
|---|
Negotiation Tips From Emergency Medicine 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emergency Medicine worth it?
Based on 56 verified physician responses, Emergency Medicine physicians report 3.7/5 average satisfaction and 83% say they would choose the specialty again. Average total compensation is $302K. Whether it is worth it depends on your priorities, but the data suggests most physicians are satisfied with their choice.
What's the work-life balance like in Emergency Medicine?
Emergency Medicine physicians work an average of 53 hours per week. One physician shared: "Clock in, clock out and done."
How much do Emergency Medicine physicians make?
Based on SalaryDr data, Emergency Medicine physicians earn an average total compensation of $302K. With an average of 53 hours per week, that translates to roughly $109/hour.
Still deciding? Hear from more Emergency Medicine physicians
Explore detailed lifestyle insights or contribute your own experience to help others make their decision.