According to SalaryDr data from 14 verified emergency medicine physicians in California, the median total compensation for Emergency Medicine in 2026 is $430,000. The 25th percentile is $390,000 and the 75th percentile is $430,000. Base salary: $350,357. Bonuses: $63,929 (15% receive). Satisfaction: 3.8/5. Workload: ~36 hrs/week. Source: https://www.salarydr.com/specialty/emergency-medicine/california Sample size: 14. Last updated: March 29, 2026.
As of March 29, 2026, an Emergency Medicine physician in California earns approximately $430,000 per year ($35,833 monthly). Based on an average 36-hour work week, this translates to about $220 per hour. Looking for a broader view? See the Emergency Medicine physician salary overview or compare nearby states below.
From 14 verified physician salary submissions in California, SalaryDr is seeing total compensation ranging from $390,000 to $430,000, with top performers (90th percentile) earning up to $445,000 annually. Compared to the national median of $430,000, Emergency Medicine physician salaries in California are in line with the national median.
In California, the salary progression for emergency medicine physician physicians shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $385,000, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $419,167 - a 9% increase.
In California, the most common work environment is Hospital Employed (79% of physicians). On average, base salary accounts for 85% of total compensation—about $350,357—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.
California offers unique advantages for emergency medicine physician physicians, including high demand in major metropolitan areas and competitive compensation packages. The cost of living in California is higher than the national average but offset by higher salaries.
Local emergency medicine physician physicians report 3.8/5 career satisfaction, with 93% of those surveyed saying they would choose this specialty again.
Browse more Emergency Medicine physician-adjacent fields to compare compensation and career paths.
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Last updated: March 29, 2026
Distribution based on 14 verified physician salary submissions.
Median Salary: $430,000
Average satisfaction rating reported by Emergency Medicine physicians (1-5 scale).
Percentage of Emergency Medicine physicians who would choose this specialty again.
Physicians cite the variety of cases and patient relationships as most rewarding aspects of this specialty.
On-call demands, administrative burden, and work-life balance are cited as the top challenges.
Average Salary
$414,286
Median Salary
$430,000
Salary Range
$390,000 - $430,000
National Average
$414,286
Difference
+0% vs National Average
Sample Size
14 local / 14 national reports
| Practice Type | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital-employed | $414,091 | 11 submissions |
* Practice types with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Compare salary data across different practice settings for Emergency Medicine physicians in California:
| Years of Experience | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| 3-5 years | $385,000 | 2 submissions |
| 6-10 years | $414,500 | 10 submissions |
| 11-15 years | $442,500 | 2 submissions |
* Experience levels with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
See how Emergency Medicine salaries in California compare to neighboring states.
| Subspecialty | Average Salary | Sample Size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toxicology | $467,290 | 10 submissions | Focuses on specialized toxicology procedures and treatments within emergency medicine, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Trauma | $391,250 | 4 submissions | Provides emergency surgical care for critically injured patients, specializing in acute care surgery and critical care management. Trauma surgeons work in Level I and II trauma centers. |
| Pediatric | $363,230 | 31 submissions | Provides specialized surgical care for infants, children, and adolescents, addressing congenital conditions and childhood diseases. |
* Subspecialties with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
* Data is aggregated from verified physician submissions.