Emergency medicine physicians diagnose and treat patients in critical condition from a wide variety of patient populations, using their critical thinking skills to manage the fast paced environment of ERs. Read on for more information about emergency medicine physician salaries and some of the best states to work as an EM physician.
How much do emergency medicine physicians make?
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), emergency medicine physicians earned a mean annual wage of $306,640 in 2023, or a mean hourly wage of $147.42.
Here are the five states with the highest emergency medicine physician salary that the BLS has data available for:
- Florida — $388,950
- Connecticut — $370, 940
- Illinois — $363, 010
- Nevada —- $361,510
- New Hampshire — $359,450
It’s important to remember that these numbers are an average. As a new emergency medicine physician, you will probably not make this much when starting out.
What is the job outlook for emergency medicine physicians?
Projections by Annals of Emergency Medicine predict that there will be a surplus of 7,845 emergency physicians by 2030. In 2019, 20% of emergency medicine residents reported some difficulty finding a job in their preferred area or at a salary they anticipated or wanted.
This means that new grads, and emergency physicians with less experience might have an easier time finding a job in states with more job openings. This often means getting jobs in more rural areas.
Why become a locum tenens emergency medicine physician?
Emergency medicine physicians who work as locum tenens practitioners travel across the country, taking on temporary positions at healthcare facilities facing staffing shortages and requiring coverage. These facilities, often in urgent need of qualified emergency medicine specialists, seek rapid and high-quality staffing solutions. As a result, these jobs typically pay more than permanent ones, allowing locum tenens emergency medicine physicians to potentially earn more than their colleagues in permanent positions.
The nature of emergency medicine, with its unpredictable patient flow and the critical need for 24/7 coverage, makes it an ideal specialty for locum tenens work. Hospitals and emergency departments struggling with physician burnout, unexpected staff departures, or seasonal patient surges can quickly fill gaps in their schedules with experienced locum tenens emergency medicine doctors.
This arrangement benefits both the healthcare facilities, which maintain consistent, high-quality emergency care, and the physicians, who enjoy professional flexibility, diverse clinical experiences, and often lucrative compensation. Additionally, locum tenens work allows emergency medicine physicians to explore different practice settings, from rural community hospitals to large urban trauma centers, enhancing their skills and adaptability in various emergency care environments.
Find Locum Tenens Emergency Medicine Physician Jobs with Wellhart
Thinking about becoming a locum tenens emergency medicine physician? If you want to work as an emergency physician with Wellhart, check out our job board!
This article was written by Liliana French.