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Emergency Medicine Description Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Emergency Medicine Jobs in the USTop 5 Highest Paying States for EM Physicians:Top 5 Lowest Paying States for EM Physicians:Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average-salaryAverage Emergency Medicine Physician Salary by State (for non-traveling doctors)Average Emergency Medicine Physician Job Salary by State (for traveling doctors)What is the average incentive bonus for an Emergency Medicine Physician Job?Employed vs. self-employed Emergency Physician JobHow to do an effective Emergency Physician job searchMost common benefits for an Emergency Medicine PhysicianFrequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the average salary for an Emergency Medicine Physician?What factors influence the salary of an Emergency Medicine Physician?How much do EM physicians earn compared to other medical specialties?What is the salary outlook for EM physicians in the future?What is the earning potential for emergency medical physicians who engage in research or teaching?Emergency Medicine Description
An Emergency Medicine (EM) doctor specializes in treating acute illnesses and life-threatening conditions. They work in the emergency department of a hospital and handle a wide range of medical emergencies including trauma, infections, heart attacks, and strokes. EM doctors assess and diagnosis patients with both critical and non-critical conditions. They work quickly to stabilize patients in life-threatening situations, perform emergency procedures, and use medical technology to make rapid decisions.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of physicians and surgeons, which includes emergency medicine doctors, is projected to grow by 4% from 2023 to 2033. As of May 2023, there were approximately 35,100 emergency medicine physicians employed in the United States. The need is driven by an increase in the number of older adults with health issues requiring care and the growing demand for medical services.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Emergency Medicine Jobs in the US
Specific salary data varies by state and over time. The salary for an emergency medicine physician is influenced by the demand for the specialty, cost of living, and regional economic conditions. According to ZipRecruiter, the highest and lowest-paying states for EM doctors are as follows:
Top 5 Highest Paying States for EM Physicians:
1. Washington
2. New York
3. Massachusetts
4. Alaska
5. Vermont
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for EM Physicians:
1. Florida
2. West Virginia
3. Arkansas
4. Georgia
5. Louisiana
The state data varies between resources.
Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Salary Median
** Chart from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/emergency-medicine-physician/#salary-history-line-chartMedian salary, Entry-level salary, Average-salary
Like other medical professions, the median salary for an emergency medicine physician in the U.S. is influenced by their experience, location, and specialization. Entry-level salaries for new physicians may be lower than the median and based on the demand for the specialty. While entry-level salaries are unknown, the American College of Emergency Physicians cites a national average compensation for emergency physicians around $200 per hour and the average annual salary for emergency medicine physicians in the United States is approximately $379,000 as of 2023.
Traveling EM physicians may receive a higher hourly rate because of their temporary job status. The data indicates an average hourly rate of approximately $258 for locum tenens emergency medicine physicians. Non-traveling EM doctors with a permanent position may have variations in salary based on specialization, geographic location, type of healthcare institution, and expertise level.
Average Emergency Medicine Physician Salary by State (for non-traveling doctors)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $300,407 | $5,777 | $144.43 |
| Alaska | $356,935 | $6,864 | $171.60 |
| Arizona | $308,858 | $5,939 | $148.49 |
| Arkansas | $274,063 | $5,270 | $131.76 |
| California | $327,093 | $6,290 | $157.26 |
| Colorado | $348,507 | $6,702 | $167.55 |
| Connecticut | $315,288 | $6,063 | $151.58 |
| Delaware | $331,718 | $6,379 | $159.48 |
| Florida | $247,677 | $4,763 | $119.08 |
| Georgia | $279,856 | $5,381 | $134.55 |
| Hawaii | $344,345 | $6,622 | $165.55 |
| Idaho | $311,844 | $5,997 | $149.93 |
| Illinois | $321,167 | $6,176 | $154.41 |
| Indiana | $315,379 | $6,064 | $151.62 |
| Iowa | $311,303 | $5,986 | $149.66 |
| Kansas | $295,588 | $5,684 | $142.11 |
| Kentucky | $287,859 | $5,535 | $138.39 |
| Louisiana | $283,417 | $5,450 | $136.26 |
| Maine | $320,893 | $6,171 | $154.28 |
| Maryland | $321,669 | $6,185 | $154.65 |
| Massachusetts | $361,966 | $6,960 | $174.02 |
| Michigan | $288,875 | $5,555 | $138.88 |
| Minnesota | $324,609 | $6,242 | $156.06 |
| Mississippi | $313,890 | $6,036 | $150.91 |
| Missouri | $310,885 | $5,978 | $149.46 |
| Montana | $304,204 | $5,850 | $146.25 |
| Nebraska | $316,005 | $6,077 | $151.93 |
| Nevada | $337,500 | $6,490 | $162.26 |
| New Hampshire | $322,321 | $6,198 | $154.96 |
| New Jersey | $336,482 | $6,470 | $161.77 |
| New Mexico | $321,183 | $6,176 | $154.41 |
| New York | $362,599 | $6,973 | $174.33 |
| North Carolina | $301,207 | $5,792 | $144.81 |
| North Dakota | $350,683 | $6,743 | $168.60 |
| Ohio | $315,092 | $6,059 | $151.49 |
| Oklahoma | $306,023 | $5,885 | $147.13 |
| Oregon | $350,419 | $6,738 | $168.47 |
| Pennsylvania | $332,229 | $6,389 | $159.73 |
| Rhode Island | $324,576 | $6,241 | $156.05 |
| South Carolina | $307,555 | $5,914 | $147.86 |
| South Dakota | $331,433 | $6,373 | $159.34 |
| Tennessee | $300,814 | $5,784 | $144.62 |
| Texas | $308,781 | $5,938 | $148.45 |
| Utah | $301,727 | $5,802 | $145.06 |
| Vermont | $352,397 | $6,776 | $169.42 |
| Virginia | $328,590 | $6,319 | $157.98 |
| Washington | $375,380 | $7,218 | $180.47 |
| West Virginia | $256,585 | $4,934 | $123.36 |
| Wisconsin | $334,533 | $6,433 | $160.83 |
| Wyoming | $318,580 | $6,126 | $153.16 |
Average Emergency Medicine Physician Job Salary by State (for traveling doctors)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama (Birmingham) | $288,965 | $5,557 | $138.92 |
| Alaska (Juneau) | $326,743 | $6,283 | $157.08 |
| Arizona (Phoenix) | $306,146 | $5,887 | $147.18 |
| Arkansas (Little Rock) | $295,734 | $5,687 | $142.17 |
| California (San Francisco) | $363,268 | $6,985 | $174.64 |
| Colorado (Boulder) | $319,771 | $6,149 | $153.73 |
| Connecticut (Hartford) | $311,019 | $5,981 | $149.52 |
| Delaware (Dover) | $308,160 | $5,926 | $148.15 |
| Florida (Miami) | $294,902 | $5,671 | $141.77 |
| Georgia (Atlanta) | $296,509 | $5,702 | $142.55 |
| Hawaii (Honolulu) | $304,513 | $5,856 | $146.40 |
| Idaho (Boise) | $293,457 | $5,643 | $141.08 |
| Illinois (Chicago) | $317,626 | $6,108 | $152.70 |
| Indiana (Indianapolis) | $294,724 | $5,667 | $141.69 |
| Iowa (Des Moines) | $300,908 | $5,786 | $144.66 |
| Kansas (Topeka) | $290,169 | $5,580 | $139.50 |
| Kentucky (Lexington) | $306,455 | $5,893 | $147.33 |
| Louisiana (New Orleans) | $296,111 | $5,684 | $142.36 |
| Maine (Portland) | $315,459 | $6,066 | $151.66 |
| Maryland (Annapolis) | $305,225 | $5,869 | $146.74 |
| Massachusetts (Boston) | $334,972 | $6,441 | $161.04 |
| Michigan (Detroit) | $305,237 | $5,869 | $146.74 |
| Minnesota (St Paul) | $311,841 | $5,996 | $149.92 |
| Mississippi (Jackson) | $268,688 | $5,167 | $129.17 |
| Missouri (Jefferson City) | $292,246 | $5,620 | $140.50 |
| Montana (Helena) | $292,191 | $5,619 | $140.47 |
| Nebraska (Lincoln) | $268,438 | $5,162 | $129.05 |
| Nevada (Carson City) | $301,972 | $5,807 | $145.17 |
| New Hampshire (Concord) | $310,359 | $5,968 | $149.21 |
| New Jersey (Trenton) | $309,181 | $5,945 | $148.64 |
| New Mexico (Santa Fe) | $302,667 | $5,820 | $145.51 |
| New York (Manhattan) | $340,283 | $6,543 | $163.59 |
| North Carolina (Charlotte) | $301,152 | $5,791 | $144.78 |
| North Dakota (Bismark) | $307,200 | $5,907 | $147.69 |
| Ohio (Columbus) | $297,817 | $5,727 | $143.18 |
| Oklahoma (OK City) | $286,426 | $5,508 | $137.70 |
| Oregon (Portland) | $326,987 | $6,288 | $157.20 |
| Pennsylvania (Philadephia) | $311,133 | $5,983 | $149.58 |
| Rhode Island (Providence) | $311,487 | $5,990 | $149.75 |
| South Carolina (Charleston) | $288,542 | $5,548 | $138.70 |
| South Dakota (Pierre) | $307,231 | $5,908 | $147.70 |
| Tennessee (Nashville) | $297,816 | $5,727 | $143.18 |
| Texas (Austin) | $305,621 | $5,877 | $146.93 |
| Utah (Salt Lake City) | $298,376 | $5,738 | $143.45 |
| Vermont (Montpelier) | $311,712 | $5,994 | $149.86 |
| Virginia (Richmond) | $305,134 | $5,867 | $146.69 |
| Washington (Spokane) | $311,760 | $5,995 | $149.88 |
| West Virginia (Charleston) | $299,660 | $5,762 | $144.06 |
| Wisconsin (Green Bay) | $299,901 | $5,767 | $144.18 |
| Wyoming (Cheyenne) | $292,180 | $5,618 | $140.47 |
What is the average incentive bonus for an Emergency Medicine Physician Job?
Emergency medicine physicians often receive incentive bonuses in addition to their base salary. They self-reported an average incentive bonus of $37,000 per year. They may be eligible for sign-on, productivity, performance- based, and/or a retention bonus. According to the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), the sign-on bonuses for emergency medicine physicians can reach up to $150,000 for a three-year contract. Productivity bonuses are based on the number of patients seen, procedures performed, or revenue generated. Performance-based bonuses reward physicians for meeting quality-of-care metrics like patient satisfaction scores and clinical outcomes. EM physicians can also earn additional pay for working nights, weekends, or holiday shifts.
Employed vs. self-employed Emergency Physician Job
Salaries will differ between employed and self-employed physicians. Employed EM physicians are guaranteed a stable income, health insurance, retirement plans, a CME allowance, and paid time off. They have less financial risk and administrative responsibilities. A self-employed EM physician has a higher earning potential, but must find their own jobs, and may/may not be provided with healthcare or a retirement plan. They may have more flexibility with setting their schedule.
How to do an effective Emergency Physician job search
It is easy to find an EM position with PRNHealthcare. Find the “physicians” bar on our website. Use the position job search bar by searching “I am a MD” and select the specialty, “Emergency Medicine.” Finally, use the location bar to select your state and city of choice.
Most common benefits for an Emergency Medicine Physician
Being an emergency medicine physician comes with both professional and personal benefits including:
- Career Stability:
- The demand for emergency medicine physicians is expected to grow with the aging population and access to medical services.
- Intellectual Stimulation:
- Emergency medicine is a challenging, fast-paced, and stimulating field which requires constant adaptation and growth.
- Continuous Learning:
- As medicine evolves, EM physicians have the opportunity for continuous learning to stay current with the latest technology.
- Job Satisfaction:
- Many EM physicians report a high level of job satisfaction.
- Team Collaboration:
- EM physicians often work closely with other medical specialists including cardiologists, neurologists, and surgeons to coordinate patient care.
- Financial Stability:
- EM physicians have a stable income and a competitive salary when compared with other physicians.
- Professional Development:
- EM physicians have access to mentorship, leadership, and research opportunities and they may participate in clinical trials or academic teaching roles.
- Job Benefits:
- EM physicians are provided with health insurance, malpractice insurance, and a retirement plan. Additional benefits include licensing fee coverage and a CME reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for an Emergency Medicine Physician?
The average salary can vary based on experience, location, and demand. On average, an EM physician in the United States may earn between $373,292 per year or $200 an hour.
What factors influence the salary of an Emergency Medicine Physician?
Geographical location, experience level, education, specialty, and the type of healthcare facility are all factors that influence an EM physician’s salary.
How much do EM physicians earn compared to other medical specialties?
Emergency medicine (EM) physicians earn competitive salaries within the medical field. The average primary care physicians earn an average of $277,000 annually, whereas specialists can earn about $394,000 per year.
What is the salary outlook for EM physicians in the future?
As the population ages and there is more need for medical care, there is likely to be an increase in the demand for emergency medical services.
What is the earning potential for emergency medical physicians who engage in research or teaching?
EM physicians in academic settings typically divide their time among clinical duties, research, and teaching. Salaries in academia may be lower than in clinical roles. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that EM physicians employed by colleges, universities, and professional schools earn an average annual wage of approximately $191,440.