Hospitalists
Hospitalists are physicians who provide medical care to patients admitted to hospitals. They manage acute illnesses and coordinate treatment across medical wards, intensive care units, emergency rooms, and rehabilitation centers. Hospitalists handle patient assessments, diagnostic decisions, and treatment plans throughout a patient's hospital stay.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against hospitalists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A hospitalist's typical day involves rounds visiting multiple patients, reviewing lab results and imaging studies, making clinical decisions about medications and procedures, and communicating with specialists and care teams. They document patient progress, adjust treatment plans based on changes in condition, respond to acute situations, and discuss care options with patients and families. Administrative tasks and handoffs between shifts are routine parts of the schedule.
Who this work suits
Holland code SIC. Social work is helping, teaching and working closely with people. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely enjoy this work if you're drawn to solving complex problems and understanding how body systems function—investigative interests serve well here. You probably value direct impact on people's health and can manage the social demands of working with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams under pressure.
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 - Hospitalist · Veterans Health Administration · Fort Meade, South Dakota · $280000–$315000
- Physician - Hospitalist · Veterans Health Administration · Hines, Illinois · $240000–$275000
- Physician-Hospitalist · Veterans Health Administration · Fayetteville, Arkansas · $280000–$315000
- Physician-Hospitalist (Section Chief) · Veterans Health Administration · Louisville, Kentucky · $265000–$280000
- Physician - Hospitalist Section Chief · Veterans Health Administration · Wilmington, Delaware · $250000–$315000
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $287,540 | $454,550 | $564,000 | 740 |
| Montana | $326,580 | $438,850 | $438,850 | 580 |
| Maine | $312,930 | $419,410 | $442,790 | 1,340 |
| Wisconsin | $280,990 | $391,740 | $448,470 | 6,350 |
| Minnesota | $214,230 | $367,320 | $392,360 | 5,350 |
| Indiana | $213,350 | $366,190 | $428,230 | 6,760 |
| New Hampshire | $236,820 | $361,300 | $362,850 | 1,000 |
| Alaska | $239,720 | $355,100 | $426,050 | 270 |
| Louisiana | $209,810 | $350,920 | $419,840 | 4,740 |
| Oregon | $273,940 | $347,180 | $381,480 | 4,130 |
| Vermont | $247,520 | $343,050 | $400,490 | 440 |
| Wyoming | $256,180 | $342,800 | $377,870 | 440 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Vascular Access-Board Certified (VA-BC) — Vascular Access Certification Corporation
- Certification in Allergy & Immunology — American Board of Allergy & Immunology
- Diplomate American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP) — American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians
- Qualification in Immunohistochemistry (QIHC) — American Society for Clinical Pathology
- Sleep Medicine — American Board of Internal Medicine
- Certification in Sports Medicine — American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians
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 hospitalists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 29-1229.02 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.