Emergency medicine physician salary
Emergency medicine physicians in the U.S. earned an average of $317,480 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. About 11 years after high school: 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school and 3 years of residency.
- Average pay$317,480a year, May 2025
- Past year-1.0%+0.1% a year since 2022
- Middle half earns$185k–$419k25th to 75th percentile
- Rank#9of 24 careers; 32,880 jobs
Pay since 2022
Includes critical care doctors. Most emergency medicine residencies take three years; some take four.
| 2025 | $317,480 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $320,700 |
| 2023 | $306,640 |
| 2022 | $316,600 |
| 10th percentile | $103,610 |
|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $184,830 |
| Median | $335,550 |
| 75th percentile | $418,890 |
| 90th percentile | $495,910 |
The path to becoming one
About 11 years after high school: 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school and 3 years of residency.
- College4 years - Bachelor's degree
- Medical school4 years - MD or DO degree
- Residency3 years - Emergency medicine residency
How it compares
| Career | Average pay | Training after high school |
|---|---|---|
| Pediatric Surgeons | $502,050 | 15 years |
| Cardiologists | $454,940 | 14 years |
| Radiologists | $381,530 | 13 years |
| Surgeons | $373,930 | 13 years |
| Orthopedic Surgeons | $373,570 | 13 years |
| Anesthesiologists | $360,570 | 12 years |
| Oral Surgeons | $346,490 | 12 years |
| Dermatologists | $323,530 | 12 years |
| Emergency Medicine Physicians | $317,480 | 11 years |
| Ophthalmologists | $304,650 | 12 years |
| Pathologists | $285,420 | 12 years |
| OB/GYNs | $279,040 | 12 years |
| Psychiatrists | $269,940 | 12 years |
| Neurologists | $267,630 | 12 years |
| Internal Medicine Physicians | $267,200 | 11 years |
| Family Medicine Physicians | $255,820 | 11 years |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $248,320 | 8 years |
| Pediatricians | $212,110 | 11 years |
| Dentists | $191,350 | 8 years |
| Physician Assistants | $141,280 | 6¼ years |
| Pharmacists | $140,920 | 6 years |
| Nurse Practitioners | $137,300 | 6 years |
| Medical Scientists | $116,840 | 13 years |
| Registered Nurses | $101,420 | 4 years |
Questions
How much does an emergency medicine physician make?
An average of $317,480 a year in May 2025, for emergency medicine physicians employed in the U.S. (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Half of them earned more than $335,550 and half less.
How long does it take to become an emergency medicine physician?
About 11 years after high school: 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school and 3 years of residency.
Why do other salary reports show higher numbers?
Reports such as Doximity's or Medscape's survey doctors directly and include self-employed doctors and more of their bonuses and profit-sharing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics counts employees only - including doctors still in residency training - and leaves some of those payments out, so its averages run lower. Its figures are the public, government numbers, updated every spring.
What does the emergency medicine physician figure include?
Includes critical care doctors. Most emergency medicine residencies take three years; some take four.
Sources and method
Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Emergency Medicine Physicians (SOC 29-1214), mean yearly wage of employees, May 2025. Training: program length sources. Last checked 2026-09-23. Educational estimates, not financial advice; pay varies by place, employer and experience. About this data.
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