Emergency Medicine Physicians
Emergency medicine physicians provide immediate medical care to acutely ill or injured patients in emergency departments. They make rapid diagnostic and treatment decisions to prevent death or disability, stabilize patients, and determine appropriate disposition. Emergency physicians work in hospital emergency departments, trauma centers, and urgent care facilities.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against emergency medicine physicians and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
Emergency medicine physicians assess and treat a rotating stream of patients with varied conditions—from chest pain and trauma to infections and psychiatric emergencies. A typical shift involves conducting rapid evaluations, ordering diagnostic tests, performing procedures, consulting specialists, and coordinating care with nursing and support staff. Physicians document findings, make disposition decisions, and may supervise residents or emergency medical technicians. Shift work includes days, nights, and weekends.
Who this work suits
Holland code ISC. Investigative work is figuring things out: analysis, research, problem-solving. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely thrive in this role if you enjoy investigating complex medical problems quickly and working closely with diverse patients and team members. Success requires comfort making high-stakes decisions with incomplete information and the ability to remain composed during crises.
What it takes
Preparation: Extensive preparation (graduate degree and/or many years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold doct.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Physician - Emergency Medicine · Veterans Health Administration · Huntington, West Virginia · $300000–$350000
- Physician-Emergency Medicine (Urgent Care) · Veterans Health Administration · Daytona Beach, Florida · $200000–$300000
- Physician - Emergency Medicine · Veterans Health Administration · Fayetteville, Arkansas · $250000–$400000
- Physician (Chief of Emergency Medicine) · Veterans Health Administration · Lexington, Kentucky · $225000–$400000
- Physician - Emergency Medicine · Veterans Health Administration · Salt Lake City, Utah · $325000–$360000
- Emergency Medicine Physician · Veterans Health Administration · Atlanta, Georgia · $300000–$400000
- Physician - Emergency Medicine · Veterans Health Administration · Stockton, California · $260000–$325000
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $310,300 | $512,730 | $566,150 | 290 |
| West Virginia | $129,690 | $491,230 | $532,120 | 300 |
| Missouri | $270,640 | $456,280 | $496,370 | — |
| Alaska | $181,000 | $452,620 | $471,630 | 190 |
| Maryland | $333,730 | $451,620 | $479,180 | 550 |
| Vermont | $383,860 | $430,820 | $449,910 | 130 |
| Iowa | $368,480 | $429,050 | $472,710 | 290 |
| Connecticut | $117,240 | $418,940 | $514,660 | 470 |
| Michigan | $335,660 | $417,760 | $465,750 | 910 |
| New Mexico | $334,250 | $405,130 | $432,380 | 340 |
| South Dakota | $244,370 | $393,870 | $406,760 | 170 |
| North Dakota | $333,370 | $392,890 | $623,420 | 150 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction Biofeedback Entry Level Certification — Biofeedback Certification International Alliance
- Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) — ​Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists
- Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer (CBIST) — ​Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against emergency medicine physicians and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 29-1214.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.