Which doctors work the least hours?

Asked by: scraper  |  Last update: September 14, 2026
Score: 0/5 (0 votes)

Allergists, immunologists, dermatologists, and psychiatrists generally work the fewest hours among doctors, often averaging around 44 hours per week or maintaining predictable outpatient schedules. These specialties benefit from limited emergencies and minimal on-call demands.

What type of doctor has the least hours?

Public Health & Preventive Medicine

Because they are more likely to work in academic, governmental, nonprofit, or corporate settings, these jobs offer a similar work/life balance to many professions outside of medicine, working the fewest hours of many doctors.

What is the least stressful type of doctor?

Medical specialties generally considered the least stressful and having the best work-life balance include Preventive Medicine, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, and Psychiatry. These fields typically feature standard daytime hours, few to no emergency/on-call shifts, and far less exposure to life-or-death situations.

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 is the chillest doctor job?

Preventive medicine ranks at the top of the list with a lifestyle balance index of 1.77, and dermatology is No. 2. Dermatology is clinic-heavy with almost no emergencies and minimal night work, and national lists of “happiest specialties” routinely put that specialty near the top.

Best Doctor Lifestyle Specialties

23 related questions found

What profession has the highest burnout?

Professions with the highest burnout rates typically involve relentless emotional demands, secondary trauma, and high-stakes decision-making. Recent industry research and surveys highlight the following fields as having the highest levels of workplace burnout:

What are the happiest physicians?

The happiest doctors generally work in specialties with predictable schedules, minimal night shifts, and fewer after-hours emergencies. Fields like Dermatology, Allergy & Immunology, and the ROAD specialties (Radiology, Ophthalmology, Anesthesiology, and Dermatology) frequently top annual job satisfaction and work-life balance reports.

What profession has the lowest burnout rate?

Jobs with the lowest burnout rates feature predictable schedules, creative autonomy, and lower life-or-death stakes. These roles offer clear boundaries, allowing employees to unplug outside of work hours.

What kind of doctor is the easiest to be?


No medical specialty is easy, but "easiest" usually refers to specialties with less competitive residency entry, shorter training, or better work-life balance.

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.

How rich is the average doctor?

Average salaries for doctors in metropolitan areas tend to be higher. Here are the top 10 metro areas where doctors are paid the highest average annual salary: San Jose, CA: $474,977. Los Angeles, CA: $448,121.

Which type of doctor is most in demand?

The most demanding doctor fields vary depending on whether you mean highest in hiring demand, toughest training, or most emotionally stressful.

Are most surgeons Republican or Democrat?

Despite these shifts, surgeons and other high-earning specialties not only maintain their alignment with the Republican party but also have become increasingly more partisan. For example, in 1992, surgeons contributed almost 33% more to Republicans than pediatricians, which increased to 48% in 2012.

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.

Which doctor has to study the least?

To become a licensed medical doctor (MD or DO) in the US, you must complete four years of undergraduate study, four years of medical school, and a residency.

What is the #1 happiest job?

There is no single universally agreed-upon #1 happiest job, as happiness depends on whether you value high pay, helping others, or working outdoors. However, surveys consistently highlight specific professions depending on the criteria:

What jobs suit ADHD brains?

ADHD brains typically thrive in dynamic, high-stakes, or highly creative environments that offer novelty, constant problem-solving, and autonomy. The best careers provide stimulation through action, passion, or hands-on tasks.

What doctor has the best work-life balance?

For doctors prioritizing work-life balance, the most sought-after fields generally fall into the "ROAD" specialties (Radiology, Ophthalmology, Anesthesiology, Dermatology) and others that focus on outpatient care, routine schedules, and minimal after-hours emergencies.

At what age do most doctors retire?

Most doctors retire between 65 and 68 years old, which is slightly later than the average American (typically 62 to 65). However, the exact age varies significantly depending on physical demands, burnout, and specialty.

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?

Who are doctors' favorite patients?

Most often, favorite patients are not necessarily similar to their physicians in socio-demographic characteristics, instead, they are characterized by a long-term relationship with their physicians and shared experiences with their physicians.

What profession has the most mental health issues?

Healthcare workers: depression is especially common among healthcare workers such as doctors, nurses, and other personnel working in the health profession. Styra et al. (2021) reported that 31.5% of Canadian healthcare workers were experiencing depression as a result of their work.

What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?

Jobs that can pay $400K a year without a degree include commercial real estate brokers, successful YouTubers or influencers, self-employed software developers, high-stakes sales roles like enterprise tech sales, and business owners. These roles rely on skill, market demand, and performance rather than formal education.

What is the most stressful doctor specialty?

Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, and Urology are consistently ranked as the most stressful medical specialties, driven by high rates of burnout, life-or-death decisions, and rapid patient turnover.