Best Medical Specialties for Work-Life Balance
Based on insights from 62 practicing physicians, here are the medical specialties that offer the best work-life balance according to real doctor experiences.
9
Specialties Analyzed
62
Physician Insights
4.2/5
Average Satisfaction
Top Specialties for Work-Life Balance
#1 Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
75% Positive
Average Satisfaction: 4.8/5
What physicians say about work-life balance:
"Excellent work-life balance "
"3.5 day work week, limited call, great work life balance. Complete control of my schedule"
"Great work life balance
Work 3 half-days per week doing surgery. Usually home by 1 PM "
View Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery salary data →
#2 Hospital Medicine
33% Positive
Average Satisfaction: 3.3/5
What physicians say about work-life balance:
"Very good. I am not required to respond to any codes or rapids. There is already a team that handles that. I come in to see my admissions and can go home if I please. Nurses can contact me any time through my phone during my shifts. "
View Hospital Medicine salary data →
#3 General Surgery
33% Positive
Average Satisfaction: 4.2/5
What physicians say about work-life balance:
"7 days, almost always on call. Still have a great work life balance and i do the things I enjoy. I think the job is super fulfilling and I love it. "
"2 operative days
1.5 days of clinic
Half a day of endoscopy
Half day of admin (medical director)
Almost always on call but good work life balance, almost always home before 4 pm. "
View General Surgery salary data →
#4 Internal Medicine
27% Positive
Average Satisfaction: 4.1/5
What physicians say about work-life balance:
"7on 7off schedule. 12 hour shifts with lots of time at home taking calls as opposed to in house. No nights or night calls. Opportunities to teach medical students and residents. Very manageable patient load and wide scope of practice in rural area. Can work ER and ICU for extra pay. None. 170 shifts per year. Flexible scheduling."
"Flexible schedule, allows for extra shifts for more comp, teaching students and Residents is rewarding "
"Some days can be busy but only working every other week. Great balance. 7-on/7-off, no nights."
View all Internal Medicine insights →
#5 Family Medicine
25% Positive
Average Satisfaction: 4.0/5
What physicians say about work-life balance:
"Very good."
"I’m scheduled for 40-hour work weeks, but I can work additional hours if I choose—think of it as an Uber model for physicians. The schedule is highly flexible, and I can work remotely from any state where I’m licensed which is around 29 states. "
View all Family Medicine insights →
#6 Ophthalmology
25% Positive
Average Satisfaction: 5.0/5
What physicians say about work-life balance:
"Excellent work life balance. Lots of very thankful patients. Personal practice grew quickly from a lot of good word of mouth. Enjoy keeping on top of practice finance and operations. Also rewarding having a voice and making a difference in the board room."
View Ophthalmology salary data →
#7 Emergency Medicine
20% Positive
Average Satisfaction: 3.6/5
What physicians say about work-life balance:
"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. "
View all Emergency Medicine insights →
#8 General Dentist
20% Positive
Average Satisfaction: 3.9/5
What physicians say about work-life balance:
"Orthodontic Resident moonlighting as general dentist working 1-2 Saturdays per month for extra cash. (Website wouldn't let me put less than 1500 hrs/ year) Flexible make my own schedule, and office staff put patients in my column. Direct restorative only, fixed hourly so, not worried about producing a ton. "
"Work 5 days a week.
Sometimes sat or sun to work on administrative duties.
I hate it because even though I’m making good income but I don’t have a family life. Recently cut my days to 4 and started doing other investments.
I’m blessed with being very good at what I do and have very extensive after grad training. My fees are average and I didn’t seek money but just enjoyed dentistry and the business and it kept growing. But my health took a hit when everything I do is dentistry. Now I’m cutting back. "
"Good flexible schedule. As much time off as wanted. Ability to get rid of problem patients as an owner. "
View General Dentist salary data →
#9 Orthodontist
17% Positive
Average Satisfaction: 4.7/5
What physicians say about work-life balance:
"4 days a week 8-2, 8 weeks off/ year. No weekends, really good life balance, couldn't complain."
View Orthodontist salary data →
Key Factors for Work-Life Balance
Based on physician feedback, the most important factors for good work-life balance in medicine include:
- Predictable schedules - Fewer emergency calls and scheduled procedures
- Limited call requirements - Minimal overnight or weekend obligations
- Outpatient focus - Office-based practice with regular hours
- Practice autonomy - Control over schedule and patient load
- Geographic flexibility - Ability to practice in various locations
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