Source: SalaryDr satisfaction data for Emergency Medicine (N=142 verified submissions, updated September 15, 2026, data as of 2026-09-15). URL: https://www.salarydr.com
84% of emergency medicine physicians would choose their specialty again, with an average satisfaction of 3.7/5 and median salary of $410,000, based on 142 verified physician submissions on SalaryDr.
$410,000
$453,666
$360,000
$478,800
Based on 142 physician responses (1 = very dissatisfied, 5 = very satisfied)
119 of 141 respondents would choose emergency medicine again
Based on 141 physician responses (bar scaled to 80 hrs/week)
Anonymized responses from emergency medicine physicians about their career and work-life balance.
“If you are young work as much as you can in the Start of your career I will continue this for 4 more years then open my own pvt clinic ”
On career & specialty — Verified Emergency Medicine Physician
“I wish I knew the toll night shifts take and that, most importantly, nothing is free. Higher paying locums roles equate almost universally in my experience to wild volumes, high acuity, and toxic environments. ”
On career & specialty — Verified Emergency Medicine Physician
“Always the hourly rate for more. Never for what they said is “the rate” ”
On career & specialty — Verified 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.”
On career & specialty — Verified Emergency Medicine Physician
“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. ”
On career & specialty — Verified Emergency Medicine Physician
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