Source: SalaryDr salary data for Emergency Medicine (N=115 verified submissions, updated March 19, 2026, data as of 2026-03-19). URL: https://www.salarydr.com
Becoming a emergency medicine physician requires 7 years of post-college training: 4 years of medical school, 3-4 years of residency. The median attending salary is $400,000/year based on 115 verified submissions.
4 years
Average medical school debt: $200,000 (AAMC). No physician income during this period.
3-4 years
Median residency salary: $70,000/year (PGY-1 to PGY-3)(3 submissions)
0-5 years experience
Based on 55 verified submissions(55 submissions)
6-15 years experience
Based on 51 verified submissions(51 submissions)
16+ years experience
Based on 9 verified submissions(9 submissions)
Emergency Medicine Physician salaries typically increase significantly with experience. Mid-career emergency medicine physicians earn approximately $40,000 more per year than early career physicians — a 11% increase. Senior emergency medicine physicians earn a median of $460,000/year, reflecting peak earning potential.
| Career Stage | Median Salary | vs. Early Career | Submissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residency | $70,000 | — | 3 |
| Early Career (0-5 yrs) | $380,000 | Baseline | 55 |
| Mid-Career (6-15 yrs) | $420,000 | +$40,000 | 51 |
| Senior (16+ yrs) | $460,000 | +$80,000 | 9 |
It takes 7 years of post-college training: 4 years of medical school, 3-4 years of residency. Most physicians begin independent practice in their early 30s.
Emergency Medicine Physicians earn a full attending salary after completing all required training (7 years post-college). During residency, physicians earn a training salary that is significantly less than attending pay — typically $70,000/year during residency.
With average medical school debt of $200,000 and a median attending salary of $400,000, emergency medicine physicians can typically expect to reach a financial break-even point approximately 1 years after starting attending practice. Actual timelines vary based on loan terms, living expenses, and repayment strategy.
Yes. Emergency Medicine attending salaries generally increase with experience. Our data shows mid-career emergency medicine physicians (6-15 years) earn approximately 11% more than early career physicians (0-5 years).
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