Medical Specialty

How Competitive is an Emergency Medicine Residency? Updated for 2025

You want to become an emergency medicine physician? Here's what it takes to match into residency.

If you want a career in the ED, here is how competitive the medical specialty is to match into an emergency medicine residency. Emergency medicine is the branch of medicine that involves the treatment of unforeseen injury or illness.

Statistics on the Emergency Medicine Match

As of the most recent NRMP data, emergency medicine had a total of 2,813 applicants and 2,921 spots. This equates to 0.96 applicants per position. Of the 1,564 U.S. MD seniors who applied, 30 did not match.

Total Positions Total Number of Applicants Number of Applicants per Position
2,921 2,813 0.96

Osteopathic (DO) Students Matching into Emergency Medicine

The total number of DO Senior Applicants was 774. Of those, 736 matched, for a 95.09% match percentage. This makes emergency medicine a very friendly field for osteopathic students.

Total DO Applicants Matched DO Applicants DO Match Percentage
774 736 95.09%

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) Matching into Emergency Medicine

Because there are only 0.55 U.S. MD applicants per 1 program spot, emergency medicine is considered to be Friendly for IMGs students.

Honors, Research and Awards for Emergency Medicine Residency Candidates

The average matched U.S. applicant had 8.2 volunteer experiences and 3.9 work experiences. They had 3.2 research experiences and 5.1 abstracts, presentations and publications. That makes this specialty on where the number of publications needed is Low.

Research Experiences Abstracts, Presentations and Publications Work Experiences Volunteer Experiences
3.2 5.1 3.9 8.2

Average Step 2 Scores for Emergency Medicine

The mean USMLE Step 2 CK score was 247. The overall competitiveness level of emergency medicine is Medium for a U.S. senior.

How long is a residency in emergency medicine? What is the lifestyle like for an emergency medicine resident?

Compared to other residencies, emergency medicine has a Short training length. As far as lifestyle, physicians in emergency medicine generally have a Low stress lifestyle. Of course, lifestyle is very subjective and if you love what you do, it does not matter! And if you hate what you do, it can still be rough no matter what. In medicine, you should find the specialty that makes you enjoy your everyday interactions with patients, staff and colleagues.

What is the average salary in emergency medicine?

The average salary post-graduation from an emergency medicine residency is $357,000, provided one does not go on to sub-specialty training which can change the salary substantially. Academic versus private practice as well as location also play a large role in physician compensation.

What are fellowships one can do from an emergency medicine residency?

Following the successful completion of general emergency medicine residency, some physicians may choose to continue their graduate medical education with subspecialty training. Board-certified subspecialists complete additional training and qualifying examinations beyond those required for board certification in emergency medicine. Currently, the American Board of Emergency Medicine certifies the following fellowships:

What are the best emergency medicine residencies in the country?

The best residency for emergency medicine, or any specialty, is very driven by personal preference and situation. How close you are to family, loved ones, the type of training environment, the opportunities available are all things to take into consideration above and beyond name recognition of a program. However, there are some highly regarded names in the world of emergency medicine including:

    • USC / LA County – Keck School
    • Denver Health Medical Center
    • University of Cincinnati
    • Carolinas Medical Center
    • LA County – Harbor – UCLA
    • University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
    • Indiana University School of Medicine
    • Alameda County (Highland Hospital)

Much of the data above is available from the AAMC Charting the Outcomes report.

FAQ: What Else Can I Learn About Emergency Medicine Residency?

Q: What makes emergency medicine an appealing specialty?

A: Emergency medicine is appealing for its fast-paced environment, variety of cases, and critical role in patient care. Physicians in this specialty are trained to handle diverse medical emergencies, making the work dynamic and intellectually stimulating. It also offers opportunities for teamwork and immediate impact on patients’ lives.

Q: How many emergency medicine residency positions are available each year?

A: There are approximately 2,500 emergency medicine residency positions available annually in the United States. While competitive, the variety of programs and diverse settings make it accessible to many applicants who meet the qualifications.

Q: Do I need research experience to match into emergency medicine?

A: Research experience is not required but can strengthen your application, particularly if it relates to emergency care, critical care, or public health. Programs value applicants who have contributed to improving patient outcomes or advancing emergency medicine knowledge.

Q: How important are away rotations for matching into emergency medicine?

A: Away rotations, also known as audition rotations, are highly beneficial in emergency medicine. They allow you to demonstrate your skills in high-pressure environments, build relationships with faculty, and showcase your fit for specific programs. Strong performance during an away rotation can lead to influential letters of recommendation.

Q: What should I include in my personal statement for emergency medicine?

A: Your personal statement should emphasize your ability to thrive in high-pressure situations, your teamwork skills, and specific experiences that demonstrate your commitment to emergency medicine. Highlight clinical encounters or life experiences that inspired your interest and discuss your long-term goals in the field.

Q: What types of conditions do emergency medicine physicians treat?

A: Emergency physicians treat a wide range of conditions, including trauma, heart attacks, strokes, respiratory distress, infections, fractures, and psychiatric emergencies. Their broad training enables them to stabilize patients and determine the next steps in their care.

Q: What procedures do emergency physicians typically perform?

A: Emergency physicians perform life-saving procedures such as intubation, central line placement, suturing, chest tube insertion, fracture reductions, and emergency cardioversion. They are trained to handle critical situations requiring rapid decision-making and technical expertise.

Q: Are there opportunities for emergency physicians to focus on research?

A: Yes, emergency medicine offers opportunities for research in areas like trauma, resuscitation, public health, and disaster preparedness. Emergency physicians also contribute to advancements in prehospital care, sepsis management, and the use of ultrasound in emergency settings.

Q: What subspecialties are available within emergency medicine?

A: Emergency medicine has several subspecialties, including:
Ultrasound: Advanced use of bedside ultrasound for diagnostics and procedures.
Critical Care Medicine: Managing critically ill patients in intensive care units.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine: Focusing on emergencies in children.
Sports Medicine: Treating acute injuries and chronic conditions in athletes.
Toxicology: Managing poisonings and overdoses.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS): Overseeing prehospital care and paramedic protocols.

Q: What does the lifestyle of an emergency physician typically look like?

A: Emergency medicine offers a flexible schedule, as most shifts are predetermined, allowing for more control over work-life balance. While shifts can include nights, weekends, and holidays, the specialty often allows for downtime between shifts, making it appealing to those who value flexibility.

Q: What innovations are shaping the future of emergency medicine?

A: Innovations in emergency medicine include point-of-care ultrasound, advancements in resuscitation techniques, and improvements in trauma care. Artificial intelligence is also being integrated to aid in rapid diagnosis and triage, while telemedicine is enhancing access to emergency care in remote areas.

Q: How does emergency medicine intersect with other specialties?

A: Emergency physicians collaborate with nearly all specialties, including trauma surgery, cardiology, neurology, and psychiatry. They stabilize patients and coordinate with other specialists to ensure appropriate follow-up care or admission to the hospital.

Q: Are there fellowship opportunities after completing an emergency medicine residency?

A: Yes, fellowship opportunities include critical care, ultrasound, toxicology, disaster medicine, sports medicine, and pediatric emergency medicine. Fellowships provide advanced training and allow emergency physicians to develop expertise in specific areas.

Q: What role do emergency physicians play in public health?

A: Emergency physicians are often at the forefront of public health crises, such as pandemics, natural disasters, and mass casualty events. They contribute to policy development, community health initiatives, and disaster preparedness to improve population health.

Q: What are the career opportunities for emergency physicians?

A: Emergency physicians can work in hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, urgent care centers, or academic institutions. Career options also include leadership roles, global health, EMS direction, or consulting in disaster medicine and public health.

Q: How do emergency physicians manage stress in their work?

A: Emergency physicians often develop strategies to manage stress, such as debriefing after critical cases, participating in wellness programs, and maintaining a strong support system. Many programs emphasize resilience training to help physicians thrive in high-stress environments.

Q: How do I find shadowing opportunities with an emergency physician?

A: Contact emergency departments at local hospitals or academic medical centers. Networking through medical school advisors, mentors, or emergency medicine interest groups can also help you find shadowing opportunities and connect with physicians in the field.

Q: What professional organizations can I join as an emergency medicine student?

A: Students interested in emergency medicine can join organizations such as the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association (EMRA), and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM). These organizations provide resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

Q: How early should I start preparing for a career in emergency medicine?

A: Start early in medical school by joining emergency medicine interest groups, excelling in clinical rotations, and seeking shadowing opportunities in the emergency department. Gaining experience in high-pressure environments, such as trauma or critical care units, can also help build a strong foundation for residency.

Did You Know?

  • Emergency medicine is a relatively young specialty:

    Emergency medicine was officially recognized as a medical specialty in the 1970s. The first residency program in emergency medicine was established at the University of Cincinnati in 1970, marking the beginning of formalized training for physicians specializing in acute care and emergency treatment.

  • Emergency physicians treat over 145 million patients annually in the U.S.:

    Emergency departments in the United States see an astounding 145 million visits each year. Emergency physicians are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, from life-threatening traumas and heart attacks to minor injuries and illnesses, often under intense time pressure.

  • Emergency medicine is the backbone of disaster response:

    Emergency physicians play a crucial role in disaster medicine, providing rapid response and critical care during natural disasters, pandemics, and mass casualty events. Their training in triage and acute care is essential for saving lives in chaotic and high-pressure situations.

Explore Other Specialties:

SpecialtyAverage Step 2 Score (Matched)
Anesthesiology246
Child Neurology246
Dermatology256
Diagnostic Radiology249
Emergency Medicine247
Family Medicine238
General Surgery249
Internal Medicine248
Internal Medicine/Pediatrics250
Interventional Radiology255
Neurological Surgery252
Neurology245
Obstetrics and Gynecology248
Orthopaedic Surgery255
Otolaryngology256
Pathology242
Pediatrics245
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation241
Plastic Surgery256
Psychiatry241
Radiation Oncology250
Vascular Surgery247

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