Emergency Medicine Physician Salary: What You Need To Know In 2024-2025
Emergency medicine physicians are the unsung heroes of our healthcare system, working tirelessly on the front lines to provide immediate care for life-threatening conditions and urgent medical needs. Their role is incredibly demanding, requiring quick thinking, vast medical knowledge, and unwavering composure under pressure. Given the critical nature of their work, it's natural to wonder about the compensation these dedicated professionals receive.
If you're considering a career in emergency medicine, are an existing physician curious about salary trends, or simply interested in understanding how these vital roles are compensated, you've come to the right place. This article delves into the various aspects of emergency medicine physician salaries, drawing on the latest data to give you a comprehensive overview of what to expect in 2024 and 2025.
What's the Average Emergency Medicine Physician Salary?
When discussing salaries, it's important to remember that "average" can be a broad term, influenced by numerous factors. However, we can look at several data points to get a good sense of the general landscape for Emergency Medicine Physicians in the United States.
- According to data from Indeed, as of May 12, 2025, the average salary for an emergency medicine physician in the United States is approximately $228 per hour, based on 3,000 salaries. Another Indeed data point indicates an average annual salary of around $130,126 per year, which might reflect a broader range of experience levels or specific job postings.
- Other sources provide higher figures. As of May 1, 2025, the average annual salary for an Emergency Physician in the United States is reported to be around $380,253. Similarly, another source indicates an average annual salary of $378,000 or $182 per hour for Emergency Medicine Physicians in the United States.
- Looking at more recent data, as of June 1, 2025, the average annual salary for an Emergency Medicine Physician in the United States is $306,063 per year or $147 per hour, which is often considered in line with the national average.
- Salary.com's 2024 data suggests that the average annual ER doctor salary ranged from $265,033 to $372,400, depending on factors like location and experience.
- It's also worth noting the median salary. In 2023, Emergency Medicine Physicians made a median salary of $239,200.
- There was a notable shift in 2023: after reaching a high in 2022, the average Emergency Medicine physician's salary saw a drop of 16.7% to $302,200, highlighting the evolving dynamics within healthcare compensation.
These figures show a significant range, underscoring the impact of various factors on an individual physician's earnings.
Key Factors Shaping Your EM Physician Paycheck
The compensation for an Emergency Medicine Physician is not static; it's a dynamic figure influenced by several critical elements.
Location, Location, Location: State-by-State Differences
Where you practice can have a substantial impact on your salary. States with higher costs of living or greater demand for emergency services often offer more competitive pay.
- California: This state frequently appears at the higher end of the salary spectrum. As of May 1, 2025, the average annual salary for an Emergency Medicine Physician in California is approximately $402,600 or $194 per hour. More recent data from May 31, 2025, shows the average hourly pay at $154.14, while other job postings indicate an average of $269 per hour.
- Los Angeles, CA Specifics: Within California, cities can vary. Glassdoor reports an average of $299,277 per year for Los Angeles, while Salary.com indicates an average of $415,900 as of January 1, 2025. Indeed job postings in Los Angeles showed an average of $152 per hour as of April 25, 2025.
- Other States:
- Washington: Often cited as one of the highest-paying states for Emergency Physicians.
- Pennsylvania: As of June 1, 2025, the average annual salary for an Emergency Medicine Physician in Pennsylvania is also a significant figure, though specific numbers vary.
- Florida: Similarly, Florida's average annual salary as of June 1, 2025, is a factor for many physicians.
- New Jersey: As of May 1, 2025, New Jersey also presents its own average annual salary for EM physicians.
- Virginia: An Emergency Medicine Physician in Virginia makes on average $149 per hour, which is about $6.74 less than the national average hourly salary of $156.19.
- Chicago, IL: As of June 1, 2025, Chicago, IL, has its own average annual salary for EM physicians.
- Sacramento, CA, was noted for significant physician salary growth in the past year.
Experience and Subspecialties
As with most professions, experience plays a crucial role. More seasoned physicians, especially those with specialized training, tend to command higher salaries. While specific salary data for subspecialties wasn't detailed in the provided references, it's known that certain highest paying emergency medicine subspecialties can offer enhanced compensation.
Setting and Practice Type
The type of facility and practice model also impacts earnings. This includes factors like working in a large academic medical center versus a rural community hospital, or being employed by a hospital system versus a private group.
- Locum Tenens: For physicians seeking flexibility or looking to supplement their income, locum tenens work can be highly lucrative. Emergency medicine physicians certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) can make upwards of $260-$400 an hour, though many factors influence this rate.
- Rural Settings: While not always the highest in base pay, some rural settings, especially those with solo coverage or low patient volume, might offer competitive hourly rates for specific shifts. One example cited was a rural Midwest PA making $80/hr, with incentive shifts around $160. While this is for a PA, it illustrates the concept of varying rates based on setting and demand.
International Perspective
It's interesting to compare US salaries with those in other developed countries:
- Australia: The average emergency medicine physician gross salary in Australia is approximately $372,519 AUD or an equivalent hourly rate of $179 AUD. They also earn an average bonus of $22,984 AUD.
- New Zealand: In New Zealand, the average emergency physician salary is around $356,389 NZD or an equivalent hourly rate of $171 NZD.
What About Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants (PAs)?
It's important to distinguish between Emergency Medicine Physicians and Physician Assistants (PAs) who also work in emergency settings. PAs play a vital role in supporting physicians and managing patient care.
- As of June 1, 2025, the average annual pay of an Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant in the United States is $146,566.
- Organizations like the Society of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants (SEMPA) and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) provide valuable data and support for PAs practicing in emergency medicine.
Navigating Your Career and Compensation
The field of emergency medicine is incredibly rewarding, offering the unique opportunity to treat patients from all walks of life with a wide variety of illnesses and injuries. While salary is an important consideration, the ability to quickly assess and manage critical situations, providing immediate relief and often saving lives, is a significant part of the profession's appeal.
For those entering or already in the field, understanding salary trends and the factors that influence them can help in career planning and negotiation. Reliable, geographic salary data from organizations like ACEP (the American College of Emergency Physicians) and resources like Indeed and Glassdoor are invaluable tools.
In conclusion, Emergency Medicine Physician salaries in the United States are substantial, with averages ranging from the high $200,000s to over $400,000 annually, depending on the source and specific factors. Hourly rates typically fall between $140 and $270. Key determinants of this compensation include geographic location (with states like California often offering higher pay), years of experience, the specific practice setting (e.g., hospital, academic center, or locum tenens), and any specialized training. While the average salary saw a slight dip in 2023, the profession remains a highly compensated and critical part of the healthcare landscape, with opportunities for income supplementation through avenues like locum tenens work. Ultimately, while financial compensation is a significant aspect, the profound impact emergency medicine physicians have on patient lives remains a core driver for many in this challenging yet vital field.
Emergency Medicine Physician Average Salary: Medscape Compensation
Physician Emergency Medicine Salary - Data science
Physician Emergency Medicine Salary - Data science
