Emergency Medicine physicians (ER doctors) in the US earn an average of $275,000-$375,000 per year, with significant variation based on location and staffing model.
Quick Answer: ER Doctor Salary
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average salary | $310,000-$350,000 |
| Hourly rate | $175-$350/hour |
| Entry-level salary | $275,000 |
| Experienced physician | $375,000+ |
| Medical director | $400,000+ |
| Locum tenens | $400,000-$500,000 |
ER Doctor Salary by State
| State | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $400,000 | $275 |
| Indiana | $395,000 | $270 |
| South Dakota | $390,000 | $265 |
| Nebraska | $385,000 | $260 |
| Michigan | $375,000 | $255 |
| Kentucky | $370,000 | $250 |
| Tennessee | $365,000 | $245 |
| Ohio | $360,000 | $245 |
| Texas | $350,000 | $240 |
| Georgia | $345,000 | $235 |
| Florida | $340,000 | $230 |
| Arizona | $335,000 | $225 |
| Colorado | $330,000 | $220 |
| California | $320,000 | $215 |
| New York | $310,000 | $210 |
| Massachusetts | $305,000 | $200 |
Note: Rural and underserved areas typically pay significantly more.
ER Doctor Hourly Rates
| Shift Type | Typical Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Day shift (community ER) | $200-$275 |
| Night shift (community ER) | $225-$325 |
| Weekend shift | $225-$300 |
| Holiday shift | $275-$400 |
| Academic center | $150-$225 |
| Locum tenens | $250-$400 |
| Urgent care (MD) | $150-$225 |
ER Doctor Salary by Setting
| Setting | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Contract management group (CMG) | $300,000-$350,000 |
| Democratic group | $350,000-$400,000 |
| Hospital employed | $310,000-$360,000 |
| Academic medical center | $250,000-$325,000 |
| Rural/critical access | $350,000-$450,000 |
| Freestanding ER | $325,000-$400,000 |
| Pediatric ER | $280,000-$350,000 |
ER Doctor Salary by Experience
| Experience Level | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| New attending (1-2 years) | $275,000-$310,000 |
| Early career (3-5 years) | $310,000-$350,000 |
| Mid-career (6-10 years) | $340,000-$380,000 |
| Experienced (10+ years) | $350,000-$400,000 |
| Medical director | $375,000-$450,000 |
Path to Becoming an ER Doctor
| Stage | Duration | Typical Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| College (pre-med) | 4 years | -$100,000 (debt) |
| Medical school | 4 years | -$200,000 (debt) |
| Emergency medicine residency | 3-4 years | $60,000-$80,000/yr |
| Fellowship (optional) | 1-2 years | $75,000-$85,000/yr |
| Total training | 11-14 years |
Emergency Medicine Subspecialties
| Subspecialty | Salary Impact |
|---|---|
| Pediatric EM | Similar to general |
| Toxicology | $275,000-$325,000 |
| Sports medicine | $275,000-$375,000 |
| EMS/prehospital | $250,000-$350,000 |
| Ultrasound | Similar with PRN income |
| Critical care | $350,000-$450,000 |
ER Doctor Work Schedule
| Schedule Type | Annual Hours | Hourly Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (typical) | 1,600-1,800 | Standard |
| Part-time | 900-1,400 | Higher hourly |
| Academic | 1,400-1,600 | Lower hourly |
| Night-only | 1,200-1,500 | +15-25% |
ER Doctor After-Tax Income
| Gross Salary | Federal Tax | FICA | State Tax (avg) | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $275,000 | $55,000 | $19,200 | $16,500 | $184,300 |
| $325,000 | $72,000 | $21,300 | $19,500 | $212,200 |
| $375,000 | $90,000 | $22,200 | $22,500 | $240,300 |
| $425,000 | $108,000 | $23,200 | $25,500 | $268,300 |
Locum Tenens ER Doctor Pay
| Factor | Locum Rate |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | $250-$400 |
| Annual potential | $400,000-$600,000 |
| Housing provided | Yes |
| Malpractice covered | Yes |
| Travel expenses | Covered |
| Benefits | None (1099) |
Contract Management Groups (CMGs)
Most ER doctors work for staffing companies:
| CMG Type | Typical Pay |
|---|---|
| Large national CMG | $280,000-$340,000 |
| Regional CMG | $300,000-$375,000 |
| Democratic group | $350,000-$425,000 |
| Academic | $250,000-$325,000 |
ER Doctor Lifestyle
| Factor | Rating |
|---|---|
| Work-life balance | ★★★☆☆ |
| Shift flexibility | ★★★★★ |
| Night/weekend work | Required |
| Call from home | Minimal |
| Burnout risk | High |
| Career longevity | 20-25 years typical |
ER Doctor Job Outlook
- Job growth: 3% (2022-2032)
- Residency competitiveness: Moderate
- Job availability: Strong
- Burnout consideration: High turnover rate