Emergency Physician Salary: Compensation Range and Influencing Factors

Board-certified emergency physicians in the U.S. earn $200,000–$500,000+ annually.

Experience: New grads ~$250K; 5+ years ~$350K; leaders >$450K.
Geography: Higher in rural/underserved areas (recruitment incentives); lower in saturated metros.
Practice Model:
- Employee (hospital/health system): Base + RVU bonus + benefits.
- Democratic group (partnership track): Higher long-term equity.
- Contract management company (CMG): Variable; often lower base, productivity pressure.
- Locums: $120–$200+/hr; no benefits.
Shift Mix: Nights, weekends, holidays pay differentials (10–30%).
Volume/Acuity: High-acuity trauma centers may pay more.
Leadership Roles: Medical director, chair, QI lead add stipends.

Strong and growing—aging population, ED boarding crisis, workforce shortages. EM remains a high-demand specialty with geographic mobility.