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🎯 Physician Lifestyle Insights

Go beyond salary data. Discover what it's really like to practice in different medical specialties with authentic insights from real physicians about work-life balance, career satisfaction, and daily life.

36
Specialties
482
Physician Insights
Real
Verified Data

Internal Medicine

3.7/5 Satisfaction74% Would Choose Again
64 physician insights β†’

General Dentist

3.8/5 Satisfaction87% Would Choose Again
56 physician insights β†’

Family Medicine

3.8/5 Satisfaction86% Would Choose Again
39 physician insights β†’

Anesthesiology

3.7/5 Satisfaction87% Would Choose Again
38 physician insights β†’

Cardiology

3.8/5 Satisfaction91% Would Choose Again
35 physician insights β†’

General Surgery

4.0/5 Satisfaction95% Would Choose Again
24 physician insights β†’

Orthopedic Surgery

3.9/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
16 physician insights β†’

Emergency Medicine

3.6/5 Satisfaction69% Would Choose Again
16 physician insights β†’

Pediatrics

4.6/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
15 physician insights β†’

Neurology

3.8/5 Satisfaction82% Would Choose Again
12 physician insights β†’

Ophthalmology

4.4/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
12 physician insights β†’

Psychiatry

4.3/5 Satisfaction91% Would Choose Again
11 physician insights β†’

Neurosurgery

3.3/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
11 physician insights β†’

Radiology

3.9/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
9 physician insights β†’

Orthodontist

4.4/5 Satisfaction86% Would Choose Again
7 physician insights β†’

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

4.4/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
7 physician insights β†’

Interventional Radiology

3.4/5 Satisfaction60% Would Choose Again
6 physician insights β†’

Obstetrics & Gynecology

4.3/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
6 physician insights β†’

Plastic Surgery

5.0/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
6 physician insights β†’

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

4.5/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
6 physician insights β†’

Urology

3.8/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
6 physician insights β†’

Gastroenterology

4.3/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
6 physician insights β†’

Hematology/Oncology

4.4/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
5 physician insights β†’

Vascular Surgery

3.4/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
5 physician insights β†’

Cardiothoracic Surgery

4.0/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
5 physician insights β†’

Radiation Oncology

3.3/5 Satisfaction75% Would Choose Again
4 physician insights β†’

Hospital Medicine

3.5/5 Satisfaction75% Would Choose Again
4 physician insights β†’

Pulmonology

4.0/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
4 physician insights β†’

Otolaryngology

4.0/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
4 physician insights β†’

Dermatology

4.3/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
4 physician insights β†’

Pathology

3.5/5 Satisfaction75% Would Choose Again
4 physician insights β†’

Critical Care

4.0/5 Satisfaction75% Would Choose Again
4 physician insights β†’

Diagnostic Radiology

4.3/5 Satisfaction100% Would Choose Again
3 physician insights β†’

Nephrology

3.3/5 Satisfaction33% Would Choose Again
3 physician insights β†’

Allergy/Immunology

4.0/5 Satisfaction50% Would Choose Again
3 physician insights β†’

Endodontist

3.3/5 Satisfaction67% Would Choose Again
3 physician insights β†’

Top Negotiation Tips from Physicians

β€œFind a database that gives you access to salary data for your region. Know your value and always ask for more than you’re willing to accept. ”
β€” Pediatrics Physician
β€œI was new so and I tried to negotiate for higher salary but he straight up said no.”
β€” Internal Medicine Physician
β€œI have to pay my malpractice insurance myself I wish I would've asked my employer for it instead of incentive based bonus”
β€” Emergency Medicine Physician
β€œBe bold and believe in yourself. My Mayo clinic residency has been instrumental to not only my success financially, but more importantly, my clinical competency. ”
β€” Internal Medicine Physician
β€œNetwork early. You never know where the opportunity may come from. And if you find yourself in a position of need, it becomes less about hardline negotiations and more about who in your network is willing to help you during hard times.”
β€” Orthopedic Surgery Physician
β€œInterview with a nearby job to the one you want the most and then let the job you want know in a subtle way. That way, if they want you, they will fight a little more fiercely.”
β€” Otolaryngology Physician

Explore More Insights

Compare Specialties

Side-by-side comparison of salary, satisfaction, and work-life balance across specialties.

Specialty Rankings

See which specialties rank highest for satisfaction, work-life balance, and compensation.

Share Your Experience

Help other physicians by anonymously sharing your salary and lifestyle insights.

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Specialties
  • All Physician Salaries
  • Salaries by City
  • General Surgery
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Cardiology
  • Salaries by State
  • Residency Salaries
For Dentists
  • All Dentist Salaries
  • Dental Salary Database
  • Dentist Salary by State
  • Submit Dental Salary
  • Dental Calculator
Tools
  • Salary Comparison
  • Financial Calculators
  • Take Home Calculator
  • Offer Analyzer
  • Compare Specialties
  • Salary Negotiation
Salary Data
  • Physician Careers
  • Salary Benchmarks
  • Salary Trends
  • Compensation Analysis
  • Lifestyle Insights
  • Compensation Components
  • Annual Report
  • Benchmark Reports
Community
  • SalaryDen
  • Latest Discussions
  • Submit Your Salary
  • Share Feedback
  • Salary FAQ
  • Physician Resources
Company
  • About
  • Methodology
  • Contact
  • Partner with Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Community Guidelines
  • DMCA Policy
  • Data Retention
  • Cookie Policy
  • Safe Harbor
  • Data Requests

Follow Us

  • TikTok (@salarydr)
  • Instagram (@salarydr_)
  • X (Twitter) (@salarydr)

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