What is the easiest surgical specialty to match into?

There isn't one single "easiest" surgical specialty to get into, as it depends on your strengths, but General Surgery is often cited as the gateway, offering broad training and less initial competition than highly specialized surgical fields, while Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) is sometimes seen as less demanding due to lower emergency volume and more outpatient focus, though it's not a traditional surgical specialty. Plastic Surgery and Orthopedics are also mentioned for potentially better work-life balance or lower burnout, but remain competitive.

What is the easiest surgical specialty to match?

Orthopedic surgery and certain areas of plastic surgery are frequently cited as relatively easier due to their straightforward nature, compared to more intricate specialties like neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery or trauma surgery.

What is the least stressful surgical specialty?

Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgeons are typically thought of as the surgeons with the lowest stress levels and lowest burnout in surgery as a whole, though they scored one percentage point higher than orthopedics.

Which surgery is most in demand?

Top 5 Most Popular Cosmetic Surgeries

1. Liposuction. Liposuction, also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoplasty'. ...
2. Breast Augmentation. Breast augmentation is also known as augmentation mammoplasty. ...
3. Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) ...
4. Rhytidectomy (Facelift) ...
5. Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)

What surgery is called the mother of all surgeries?

The surgery nicknamed the "Mother of All Surgeries" (MOAS) is Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) combined with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC), a complex, multi-hour procedure for cancers spreading in the abdominal cavity (like appendix or colorectal cancer) that involves extensive removal of cancerous tissue and bathing the abdomen with heated chemotherapy. It's called this due to its extreme physical demands, long duration, large incisions, and the need to remove all visible disease, making it like several major surgeries in one.
 

How to CHOOSE A SPECIALTY | 6 Steps

What doctor makes $500,000 a year?

Doctors in surgical and high-demand procedural specialties frequently earn over $500,000 annually, with top earners often being Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cardiology, and Thoracic Surgery, driven by complex skills, high demand (especially with aging populations), and lucrative elective procedures or emergency needs. Other fields like Radiology, Gastroenterology, Urology, and Anesthesiology also see average incomes exceeding this threshold.
 

What specialty has the most burnout?

The study found burnout varies across the medical field, with some specialties facing more severe challenges than others. Emergency medicine physicians experience the most intense burnout, with the highest emotional fatigue (68%) and depersonalization (55%).

What is the hardest surgical specialty to get into?

What are some of the Hardest Residency Specialties to Match?

• Neurosurgery.
• Orthopedic Surgery.
• Ophthalmology.
• Otolaryngology (ENT)
• Plastic Surgery.
• Urology.
• Radiation Oncology.
• Interventional Radiology.

What's the shortest path to becoming a surgeon?

Becoming a surgeon takes least 13 years. Required steps include completing a four-year bachelor's degree, a four-year medical degree, and a minimum five-year residency requirement. Other steps, like AP or honors classes in high school, gap years, and fellowship experience, differ depending on the student.

What surgical specialty has the best lifestyle?

The surgical specialties with the best lifestyle are ophthalmologists, plastic surgeons, thoracic surgeons, and general surgeons. However, you must pick a niche you're interested in and a practice that will allow you the desired work-life balance.

What profession has the lowest burnout rate?

What careers have the lowest burnout rates? Jobs with predictable schedules, creative autonomy, and fewer life-or-death stakes tend to have the lowest burnout. In 2025, that includes diagnostic medical sonographers, compliance officers, hairstylists, tenured professors, and jewelers.

What is the happiest job in the medical field?

According to a 2025 Medscape-based survey, some of the happiest specialties reported are Allergy & Immunology (94 %), Pathology (88 %), Dermatology (87 %), Public Health & Preventive Medicine (87 %), and Psychiatry (87 %). Medscape Physician Mental Health & Well-Being Report.

What type of surgeon is in high demand?

Thoracic Surgery

In general, thoracic surgeons treat conditions such as heart failure, lung cancer, dysphagia, and even perform heart or lung transplants. Qualified thoracic and cardiothoracic surgeons are urged to apply immediately for our in-demand locum tenens positions, as these critical roles are filling rapidly.

What's the easiest doctor specialty?

Easiest Doctor to Become: Top 10 Easiest Specialties to Get Into

• Family Medicine.
• Internal Medicine.
• Preliminary Surgery.
• Orthopedic Surgery.
• Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
• Child Neurology.

What is the richest surgical specialty?

1. Neurosurgery. Neurosurgeons earn an average of $763,908 per year, which is 219% higher than the national median salary of physicians in the U.S. They perform complex surgeries on the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Training includes at least a seven-year residency, making it one of the most demanding specialties.

What surgery had a 300% mortality rate?

Robert Liston's most notorious surgery yielded 300% mortality. The patient, the surgical assistant, and a family member bystander, each of whom felt the blade of Dr. Liston's slashing amputation knife, died of gangrene in the days following.

What are the chillest residencies?

Some of the least competitive residencies are:

• Family Medicine.
• Internal Medicine.
• Psychiatry.
• Emergency Medicine.
• Pathology.

What are the top 3 riskiest surgeries?

The three riskiest surgeries often involve the most delicate organs and complex procedures, commonly including brain surgery, open-heart (cardiac) surgery, and major organ transplants, due to high precision requirements and severe potential complications like hemorrhage, permanent neurological damage, or organ rejection. Other highly risky procedures frequently cited are aortic aneurysm repair, spinal surgery, and complex cancer surgeries, depending on the specific case. 

What is the most unhappy medical specialty?

According to the 2024 Medscape Physician Burnout & Depression Report, 63% of emergency medicine doctors have felt burned out—the most of any specialty—and they're followed by OB-GYNs (53%), oncologists (53%), and pediatricians (51%).

What is the 42% rule for burnout?

The "42% rule for burnout" suggests high performers should spend at least 42% of their time resting and recovering (around 10 hours daily) to prevent burnout, encompassing sleep, gentle movement, hobbies, social connection, and true downtime, not just being inactive, to maintain well-being and avoid chronic stress overload. It's a concept promoting that sustainable success comes from balanced activity and intentional recovery, challenging the "hustle culture" that equates busyness with worth. 

Which medical specialty has the greatest shortage?

Medical specialties with the biggest shortages vary depending on regional needs, technological advancements and patient demographics. However, specialties like primary care, psychiatry and emergency medicine are at the top of the list when it comes to facing significant gaps in healthcare staffing.

What is the lowest paid doctor?

The lowest-paid doctor specialties consistently fall in primary care and certain pediatric subspecialties, with Pediatrics often cited as the lowest overall, followed by Public Health/Preventive Medicine, Family Medicine, and pediatric subspecialties like Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases. These roles offer lower compensation than surgical or high-demand adult specialties, often due to the broad nature of primary care and the focus on children's health, though they provide excellent work-life balance for many.
 

What jobs in the US pay $300,000 a year?

Jobs paying $300,000 or more in the U.S. are concentrated in medicine, finance, law, and high-level tech/executive roles, including specialist doctors (surgeons, anesthesiologists), C-suite executives, investment bankers, partners in big law firms, senior tech leaders (VPs/Directors of Engineering), management consultants (Partners), private equity executives, and top-tier sales directors, often involving significant bonuses, commissions, or profit-sharing. Some roles, like senior airline pilots or successful entrepreneurs/tradespeople, can also reach this level without traditional degrees. 

Which field of surgery makes the most money?

Neurosurgery consistently ranks as the highest-paying surgical specialty, with surgeons earning over $700,000 annually due to the extreme complexity and years of training required for brain and spine procedures, followed closely by Thoracic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and Plastic Surgery. These top earners command high salaries because of the high-risk nature, extensive education, and specialized skills needed for complex cases like brain tumors, heart conditions, joint replacements, and cosmetic enhancements.