What type of doctor works the least?
Asked by: Prof. Lavonne Parker | Last update: July 11, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (29 votes)
Based on 2024–2026 data, Allergists/Immunologists (approx. 44.1 hours/week), Dermatologists, Psychiatrists, and Occupational/Preventive Medicine specialists generally work the fewest hours and have the best work-life balance. These specialties often feature predictable, outpatient-based, 9-to-5 schedules with minimal emergency call, allowing for high quality of life.
What kind of doctors work the least?
According to a survey by the AMA, only 13% of doctors aged 40-69 work fewer than 40 hours per week. Among those lucky few are pain physicians, geriatricians and podiatrists. Most doctors, however, work 40-60 hours per week.
What is the most overworked doctor?
The physician specialties that are reporting the most job stress are:
- Obstetrics and gynecology: 48.7%.
- Surgery specialty (i.e. otolaryngology, orthopaedic surgery and plastic surgery): 47.8%.
- Hospital-based (i.e. anesthesiology, emergency medicine and radiology): 42.9%.
What kind of doctor is the easiest to be?
Based on residency competitiveness, match rates, and training demands for 2026, the "easiest" doctors to become include Family Medicine, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry. These specialties often have more available residency slots, lower average test score requirements, and a faster, more accessible path compared to surgical or highly specialized fields.
Which doctor has to study the least?
Family medicine, pediatrics, and internal medicine doctors typically require the least amount of training among physicians, with a three-year residency following four years of medical school. These roles offer the fastest route to becoming a fully licensed, practicing medical doctor (MD or DO) compared to specialized fields.
Ranking Doctor Specialties from BEST to WORST [Part 1]
Which doctor has the easiest job?
Easiest Doctor to Become: Family Doctor
You can choose to enter any type of practice, from private practice to group practice, which have their advantages and disadvantages, but both types of practice means you get to choose your own hours. But surprisingly, family doctors are not always the happiest.
Is a 3.7 GPA too low for med school?
A 3.7 GPA is not too low for medical school; it is competitive and often near the average for many successful applicants. While the average for top-tier MD schools is often 3.7−3.8+, a 3.7 puts you firmly in range for many MD and DO programs, provided your application is supported by a solid MCAT score, strong extracurriculars, and a compelling narrative.
What is the happiest doctor job?
Physician happiness is most strongly correlated with work-life balance, schedule control, and manageable administrative burdens. Across major physician lifestyle reports, the specialties that consistently rank highest for overall career satisfaction include Dermatology, Allergy & Immunology, Ophthalmology, and Plastic Surgery.
How old is the youngest doctor?
The youngest person to ever graduate from medical school is Dr. Balamurali Ambati, who became a licensed physician at the astonishing age of 17 years and 294 days. He graduated from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City on May 19, 1995, and officially set the Guinness World Record for the youngest physician.
Are Gen Z becoming doctors?
Generation Z physicians, those born between 1997 and 2012, will be entering medicine starting in 2026. They will bring different expectations, priorities, and work styles than the generations before them. For physician leaders, department chairs, and practice owners, adapting to this new paradigm is essential.
Who do doctors mostly marry?
Doctors most frequently marry other doctors or healthcare professionals. Roughly 20% to 25% of physicians are married to another doctor, while nearly 40% marry someone in the broader medical field, such as nurses or other health professionals.
Which doctor is least likely to be sued?
Who Is Least Likely To Be Sued? Family general practice, pediatrics, and psychiatry are the specialties that are least likely to be sued for medical malpractice. Psychiatrists have the lowest risk, with only 2.6% facing claims. Why Are Certain Specialties Being Sued More Than Others?
Will AI replace doctors in 10 years?
The standard question—“Will AI replace doctors?”—turns out to be the wrong one. Demand for healthcare is effectively infinite. There is always another scan to read, another condition going undiagnosed because no one has time to look. AI will not shrink the medical workforce.
What doctor has the highest burnout rate?
According to 2024–2026 data, Emergency Medicine physicians report the highest rates of burnout (approx. 52%–63%), often due to high-intensity front-line work, followed closely by OB-GYNs, pediatricians, and family medicine physicians. Female physicians and those facing heavy administrative burdens are generally most affected.
What is the most underpaid doctor?
The lowest-paid physicians in the US are typically in pediatric and primary care specialties. The gap between the highest- and lowest-paid specialties often exceeds $500,000 per year.
What is the least stressful doctor?
Based on the lowest burnout rates, predictable hours, and limited emergencies, the least stressful doctor specialties are generally Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, and Pathology. These fields offer high work-life balance due to minimal overnight calls and manageable patient loads.
How old is the average Dr.?
The average age of a practicing physician in the U.S. is approximately 53 to 54 years old, with nearly 83% of doctors aged 40 or older. While many doctors begin their careers around age 29–30, the workforce is aging, with over 23% of active physicians aged 65 or older.
What is a 7 star doctor?
A "7-star doctor" is a comprehensive competency framework established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and expanded by medical institutions like the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Indonesia. It outlines the seven essential, modern roles required of a medical professional to meet the healthcare demands of the 21st century.
Who was the 13 year old girl accepted into medical school?
Alena Analeigh Wicker is redefining what is possible for young Black women in STEM and higher education. At just 13 years old, she made history as the youngest Black person ever accepted into medical school in the United States, securing a spot at the University of Alabama's Heersink School of Medicine.
What is the most fun doctor to be?
Plastic Surgery
It also doesn't hurt that they are among the highest earners in medicine. Plastic surgeons make an average salary nearly 50% higher than the mean physician's. Together, these factors make it unsurprising that plastic surgeons are the happiest of all specialists in the medical field!
At what age do most doctors retire?
Most doctors in the United States retire in their mid-to-late 60s, with an average retirement age of approximately 65, slightly higher than the general population. While 45% of physicians express a desire to retire before 65, survey data shows that 58% actually retire after age 65, often due to high career satisfaction or financial planning.
What is the #1 happiest job?
According to recent data, construction workers are often ranked as having the highest job satisfaction and happiness, driven by tangible results, good wages, and high demand. Other top contenders for #1 include surgeons (due to high impact and pay), clergy (high satisfaction), and real estate agents.
How rare is a 4.0 GPA?
A 4.0 GPA is exceptionally rare, representing the top 2% to 15% of students nationally depending on the institution. Earning a perfect unweighted 4.0 places you well above the national high school average (which hovers around 3.0 to 3.1).
Which female billionaire opens medical school?
Alice Walton, the world's richest woman, has launched the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine in Bentonville, Arkansas, offering free tuition to its first five graduating classes, as reported by CBS News.
What will an F DO to a 3.5 GPA?
An F (0.0 grade points) will significantly lower a 3.5 GPA, likely dropping it by 0.2 to 0.5 points depending on total credits completed. A single 3-credit F can drag a 3.5 GPA down to approximately 3.08–3.2, acting as a "0" in your average rather than a "4" (A) or "3" (B).