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Medical specialties

Find the kind of medicine that fits you.

U.S. physicians can certify in 38 specialties and 89 subspecialties. Here are the 28 fields medical students can match into, with what the work is like, how long training takes, how the 2026 Match went and what physicians earn.

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Reviewed October 11, 2026 · 2026 Match and pay data
Years of residency
Selected specialties, including the intern year
ACGME, 2026
Family medicine3 yrs
Internal medicine3 yrs
Psychiatry4 yrs
Dermatology4 yrs
General surgery5 yrs
Plastic surgery6 yrs
Neurological surgery7 yrs
?Then a fellowship? Many physicians add one to three years of subspecialty training, for example in cardiology, oncology or pediatric surgery.
At a glance

Specialty training by the numbers

38/ 89
Specialties and subspecialties

Recognized by the 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties. Osteopathic boards certify DOs too.

ABMS, 2024–25 report
44,344
Residency positions in the 2026 Match

The largest Main Residency Match on record, with 93.5% of positions filled.

NRMP, March 2026
93.5%/ 93.2%
Match rates for U.S. MD and DO seniors

Most seniors match. The DO seniors’ rate was the highest on record.

NRMP, 2026 Main Residency Match
3–7years
Length of residency

From three years in family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics to seven in neurological surgery. Fellowships add more.

ACGME program requirements, 2026
From student to specialist

How specialty training works

Every U.S. physician, MD or DO, follows the same basic path. The specialty you choose decides how long the middle stretch lasts.

1

Medical school

Four years. Foundational science comes first, then clinical clerkships: rotations through core fields such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology and family medicine. Most students find their direction here.

2

Applying and the Match

In the final year, students apply to residency programs through ERAS, interview and rank the programs they want. The National Resident Matching Program pairs applicants and programs in March. Ophthalmology and urology run their own, earlier matches.

3

Residency

Three to seven years of paid, supervised training in a specialty. The first year is often called internship. Some specialties, such as dermatology and radiology, start after a separate preliminary or transitional year.

4

Fellowship and board certification

Optional subspecialty training, usually one to three years. Physicians then certify through a specialty board, which most hospitals and insurers expect, and keep their certification current throughout their careers.

Explore

28 specialties you can enter from medical school

Filter by the kind of work. Each card shows what the work involves, how long training takes, the main subspecialties, how the 2026 Match went and what physicians earn on average.

Share of positions filled by U.S. MD seniorsby U.S. DO seniorsby international and previous graduates, or unfilled
Primary care3yrs

Family medicine

Continuous care for patients of every age, from newborns to older adults, with a focus on prevention and chronic disease. Most family physicians work in outpatient clinics, and some also practice hospital medicine, urgent care or obstetrics.

  • TrainingThree-year residency.
  • SubspecialtiesSports medicine, geriatric medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, addiction medicine
  • 2026 Match5,491 positions · 83.6% filled. 899 positions went unfilled before SOAP, the most of any specialty.
  • Average pay$325,000
Primary care3yrs

Internal medicine

Diagnosis and treatment of illness in adults, often several conditions at once. General internists work in primary care clinics or as hospitalists, who often work blocks of consecutive days followed by time off.

  • TrainingThree-year residency, and the starting point for most adult subspecialties.
  • SubspecialtiesCardiology, gastroenterology, pulmonary and critical care, hematology and oncology, nephrology, infectious disease, endocrinology, rheumatology
  • 2026 Match11,194 positions · 95.2% filled. Categorical positions.
  • Average pay$339,000
Primary care3yrs

Pediatrics

Preventive care, development and illness from birth through adolescence, in close partnership with families. Most general pediatricians practice in outpatient clinics, and some work in hospitals and newborn nurseries.

  • TrainingThree-year residency.
  • SubspecialtiesNeonatology, pediatric emergency medicine, pediatric critical care, pediatric cardiology, pediatric hematology and oncology, pediatric hospital medicine
  • 2026 Match3,126 positions · 94.4% filled. Categorical positions.
  • Average pay$274,000
Primary care4yrs

Internal medicine–pediatrics

Care for both children and adults, often whole families, as a primary care physician, hospitalist or subspecialist.

  • TrainingFour-year combined residency, with eligibility for board certification in both fields.
  • SubspecialtiesAny internal medicine or pediatric fellowship, hospice and palliative medicine, sports medicine
  • 2026 Match404 positions · 100% filled.
  • Average pay$320,000
Surgical5yrs

General surgery

Operations on the abdomen, digestive tract, breast, skin and endocrine glands, plus trauma and surgical emergencies. Weeks combine the operating room, clinic and hospital rounds, with frequent overnight and weekend call.

  • TrainingFive-year residency, and a route into several surgical fellowships.
  • SubspecialtiesSurgical critical care, colon and rectal surgery, surgical oncology, pediatric surgery, vascular, thoracic and plastic surgery
  • 2026 Match1,807 positions · 99.8% filled. Categorical positions. One-year preliminary surgery positions filled only 55%.
  • Average pay$501,000
Surgical7yrs

Neurological surgery

Surgical and non-surgical care of the brain, spine and peripheral nerves, from tumors and trauma to degenerative spine disease. Long operating days and frequent emergency call.

  • TrainingSeven-year residency including the intern year, the longest of any specialty.
  • SubspecialtiesSpine, cerebrovascular and endovascular surgery, pediatric neurosurgery, skull base surgery, neurosurgical oncology
  • 2026 Match280 positions · 100% filled.
  • Average pay$829,000
Surgical5yrs

Orthopaedic surgery

Fractures, arthritis, sports injuries and spine and hand problems, treated with surgery and non-operative care. Weeks usually split between clinic and operating days, with trauma call.

  • TrainingFive-year residency including the intern year.
  • SubspecialtiesSports medicine, hand surgery, joint replacement, spine, trauma, foot and ankle, pediatric orthopaedics
  • 2026 Match963 positions · 100% filled.
  • Average pay$697,000
Surgical5yrs

Otolaryngology–head and neck surgery

Medical and surgical care of the ear, nose, sinuses, throat, voice and airway, including head and neck cancer, in adults and children. Busy clinics with in-office procedures, operating days and call for airway emergencies.

  • TrainingFive-year residency including the intern year.
  • SubspecialtiesNeurotology, pediatric otolaryngology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, sleep medicine
  • 2026 Match403 positions · 99.8% filled.
  • Average pay$550,000
Surgical6yrs

Plastic surgery

Reconstructive surgery, such as breast reconstruction, hand surgery, burn care and congenital differences, as well as cosmetic surgery. Mostly operative, with call for hand and facial injuries.

  • TrainingSix-year integrated residency, or three years after training in another surgical specialty.
  • SubspecialtiesHand surgery, craniofacial surgery, plastic surgery within the head and neck
  • 2026 Match230 positions · 99.1% filled. Integrated positions.
  • Average pay$626,000
Surgical6yrs

Thoracic surgery

Operations on the heart, lungs, esophagus and major blood vessels of the chest, such as bypass and valve surgery, lung cancer surgery and transplant. Long, complex cases, intensive care and demanding call.

  • TrainingSix-year integrated residency, or a fellowship after general surgery.
  • SubspecialtiesCongenital cardiac surgery
  • 2026 Match56 positions · 100% filled. Integrated positions.
  • Average pay$750,000
Surgical5yrs

Vascular surgery

Diseases of the arteries and veins, including aneurysms, carotid disease and peripheral artery disease, treated with both open surgery and catheter-based procedures.

  • TrainingFive-year integrated residency, or two years after general surgery.
  • SubspecialtiesNo ACGME-accredited fellowships. Physicians may still focus their practice.
  • 2026 Match110 positions · 100% filled. Integrated positions.
  • Average pay$601,000
Surgical5yrs

Urology

Conditions of the urinary tract and male reproductive system, from kidney stones to prostate and bladder cancer. Clinic and office procedures alongside operating days, often endoscopic or robotic.

  • TrainingFive-year residency including the intern year.
  • SubspecialtiesPediatric urology, urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery
  • 2026 Match419 positions · 99.5% filled. Separate AUA Match, with a Match Day in early February.
  • Average pay$567,000
Surgical4yrs

Ophthalmology

Medical and surgical eye care for patients of all ages, including cataract, glaucoma and retinal disease. High-volume clinic days paired with scheduled surgery days, and generally light call.

  • TrainingFour years including the intern year.
  • SubspecialtiesRetina, cornea and refractive surgery, glaucoma, oculoplastic surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology
  • 2026 Match528 positions · 99.2% filled. Separate SF Match. 72% of U.S. MD seniors and 28% of U.S. DO seniors who submitted rank lists matched.
  • Average pay$487,000
Surgical4yrs

Obstetrics and gynecology

Pregnancy and childbirth, gynecologic surgery and reproductive health care. Clinic, labor and delivery and the operating room, with overnight call or laborist shifts.

  • TrainingFour-year residency.
  • SubspecialtiesMaternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, urogynecology, complex family planning
  • 2026 Match1,638 positions · 99.9% filled.
  • Average pay$421,000
Acute & perioperative3–4yrs

Emergency medicine

Rapid evaluation and stabilization of patients of all ages with acute illness and injury, with many hands-on procedures. Emergency physicians work scheduled shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays, rather than call.

  • TrainingThree- or four-year residency, depending on the program.
  • SubspecialtiesPediatric emergency medicine, emergency medical services, medical toxicology, sports medicine, clinical ultrasound
  • 2026 Match3,198 positions · 95.6% filled. The fill rate fell from 97.9% in 2025 but stayed well above 2023’s 81.8%.
  • Average pay$424,000
Acute & perioperative4yrs

Anesthesiology

Anesthesia and care around surgery for surgical, obstetric and procedural patients, plus pain management and critical care. Highly hands-on, with early starts and call covering nights, weekends and labor and delivery.

  • TrainingFour years including a clinical base year.
  • SubspecialtiesPain medicine, critical care, pediatric anesthesiology, cardiothoracic anesthesiology, obstetric anesthesiology, regional anesthesiology
  • 2026 Match2,171 positions · 100% filled. First- and second-year positions combined.
  • Average pay$557,000
Brain, mind & rehab4yrs

Psychiatry

Diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and substance use disorders with psychotherapy and medication. Psychiatrists work in outpatient clinics, inpatient units, emergency and consult services and through telehealth.

  • TrainingFour-year residency.
  • SubspecialtiesChild and adolescent psychiatry, consultation-liaison psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry
  • 2026 Match2,516 positions · 97.4% filled. 65 positions went unfilled before SOAP, up from 8 in 2025.
  • Average pay$351,000
Brain, mind & rehab4yrs

Neurology

Disorders of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles, such as stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, headache and dementia. Mostly clinic and hospital consult work, with stroke call.

  • TrainingFour years including the intern year.
  • SubspecialtiesStroke (vascular neurology), epilepsy, clinical neurophysiology, neuromuscular medicine, neurocritical care, sleep medicine
  • 2026 Match1,236 positions · 99.7% filled. First- and second-year positions combined.
  • Average pay$371,000
Brain, mind & rehab5yrs

Child neurology

Neurological conditions in infants, children and teens, including epilepsy and developmental and neuromuscular disorders. Mostly at children’s hospitals, in clinics and on inpatient services.

  • TrainingFive years: usually two years of pediatrics, then three of child neurology.
  • SubspecialtiesEpilepsy, neurodevelopmental disabilities, clinical neurophysiology, neuromuscular medicine, sleep medicine
  • 2026 Match220 positions · 96.8% filled. First- and second-year positions combined.
  • Average pay$310,000
Brain, mind & rehab4yrs

Physical medicine and rehabilitation

Restoring function after stroke, spinal cord or brain injury, amputation and musculoskeletal injury, as the leader of a rehabilitation team. Inpatient rehab units and outpatient spine and sports clinics, with procedures such as EMG and injections, and generally predictable hours.

  • TrainingFour years including a clinical base year.
  • SubspecialtiesSports medicine, pain medicine, spinal cord injury medicine, brain injury medicine, pediatric rehabilitation
  • 2026 Match587 positions · 100% filled. One of the highest shares of positions filled by U.S. DO seniors.
  • Average pay$376,000
Imaging, lab & radiation5yrs

Diagnostic radiology

Interpreting X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound and nuclear imaging, and performing image-guided procedures such as biopsies. Work is at a reading workstation, often in shifts that include overnights, and some is done remotely.

  • TrainingFive years including a clinical year.
  • SubspecialtiesNeuroradiology, breast imaging, musculoskeletal radiology, abdominal radiology, pediatric radiology, interventional radiology
  • 2026 Match1,239 positions · 98.0% filled. First- and second-year positions combined.
  • Average pay$610,000 Doximity reports radiology as one category.
Imaging, lab & radiation6yrs

Interventional radiology

Minimally invasive, image-guided procedures such as embolization, stents, drains, biopsies and tumor ablation, plus clinic visits before and after. Call covers emergencies such as internal bleeding.

  • TrainingSix-year integrated residency, or two years after diagnostic radiology.
  • SubspecialtiesNeuroendovascular intervention, pain medicine
  • 2026 Match238 positions · 95.8% filled. Integrated positions, first and second year combined.
  • Average pay$635,000
Imaging, lab & radiation5yrs

Radiation oncology

Treating cancer with radiation: evaluating patients, designing treatment plans with physicists and dosimetrists and following patients through and after treatment. Outpatient work with mostly weekday hours.

  • TrainingFive years including a clinical year.
  • SubspecialtiesHospice and palliative medicine, pain medicine
  • 2026 Match183 positions · 97.8% filled. First- and second-year positions combined.
  • Average pay$614,000
Imaging, lab & radiation3–4yrs

Pathology

Diagnosing disease from tissue, cells and body fluids, and directing hospital laboratories. Little direct patient contact and mostly daytime hours.

  • TrainingFour years for combined anatomic and clinical pathology, or three for either alone.
  • SubspecialtiesHematopathology, cytopathology, forensic pathology, dermatopathology, neuropathology, molecular genetic pathology, transfusion medicine
  • 2026 Match636 positions · 99.7% filled.
  • Average pay$410,000
Imaging, lab & radiation4yrs

Nuclear medicine

Imaging and treatment with radioactive tracers, from PET scans to targeted therapies for thyroid disease and some cancers. Based in imaging departments, with mostly daytime hours.

  • TrainingFour years including a clinical year. Shorter for physicians who have already completed another residency, such as radiology.
  • SubspecialtiesNo ACGME-accredited fellowships. Physicians may still focus their practice.
  • 2026 MatchOnly 2 positions were offered in the 2026 Main Match. Many physicians enter after another residency.
  • Average payNot reported in Doximity’s 2026 report.
Skin, genes & public health4yrs

Dermatology

Skin, hair and nail disease in patients of all ages, combining medical visits with office procedures such as biopsies, excisions and cosmetic treatments. Mostly weekday clinic hours with light call.

  • TrainingFour years: an intern year, then three years of dermatology.
  • SubspecialtiesMohs micrographic surgery, dermatopathology, pediatric dermatology
  • 2026 Match577 positions · 99.8% filled. Most positions begin in the second year, after a separate intern year.
  • Average pay$498,000
Skin, genes & public health3+yrs

Medical genetics and genomics

Evaluating and managing inherited conditions, birth defects and metabolic disorders, and interpreting genetic tests, often alongside genetic counselors. Clinic visits and hospital consults with predictable hours.

  • TrainingTwo years after at least one year of clinical training, or four-year combined programs with pediatrics or internal medicine.
  • SubspecialtiesMedical biochemical genetics, molecular genetic pathology, laboratory genetics and genomics
  • 2026 MatchMost physicians enter after other training or through combined programs. 34 combined positions were offered in the 2026 Main Match.
  • Average pay$274,000
Skin, genes & public health3yrs

Preventive medicine

Population health and disease prevention in public health departments, government agencies, health systems and research. Occupational and aerospace medicine are closely related specialties. Hours are generally regular.

  • TrainingThree years including a clinical year, with a master’s degree in public health or the equivalent.
  • SubspecialtiesAddiction medicine, clinical informatics, medical toxicology, undersea and hyperbaric medicine
  • 2026 MatchOnly 6 positions were offered in the 2026 Main Match. Many residents enter after a first year of training elsewhere.
  • Average pay$266,000
How to read these numbers. Positions and fill rates are from the 2026 Main Residency Match, except ophthalmology (SF Match) and urology (AUA Match). The bars show who filled the positions, not anyone’s odds of matching. Where a specialty starts in the second year, first- and second-year positions are combined. Pay is the average for full-time physicians in 2025 from Doximity’s 2026 report, before taxes, and it varies widely by region, practice type and experience.
Side by side

Compare all 28 specialties

Residency length, the 2026 Match and average pay in one view. On a phone, scroll the table sideways.

SpecialtyResidency2026 positionsFilledU.S. MD / DO seniorsAverage pay
Primary care
Family medicine3 yrs5,49183.6%27% / 26%$325,000
Internal medicine3 yrs11,19495.2%36% / 17%$339,000
Pediatrics3 yrs3,12694.4%45% / 20%$274,000
Internal medicine–pediatrics4 yrs404100%80% / 13%$320,000
Surgical
General surgery5 yrs1,80799.8%62% / 16%$501,000
Neurological surgery7 yrs280100%87% / 3%$829,000
Orthopaedic surgery5 yrs963100%79% / 13%$697,000
Otolaryngology–head and neck surgery5 yrs40399.8%88% / 6%$550,000
Plastic surgery6 yrs23099.1%90% / 2%$626,000
Thoracic surgery6 yrs56100%93% / 2%$750,000
Vascular surgery5 yrs110100%84% / 7%$601,000
Urology5 yrs41999.5%82% / 8%$567,000
Ophthalmology4 yrs52899.2%85% / 3%$487,000
Obstetrics and gynecology4 yrs1,63899.9%68% / 20%$421,000
Acute & perioperative
Emergency medicine3–4 yrs3,19895.6%44% / 35%$424,000
Anesthesiology4 yrs2,171100%70% / 18%$557,000
Brain, mind & rehab
Psychiatry4 yrs2,51697.4%56% / 22%$351,000
Neurology4 yrs1,23699.7%58% / 18%$371,000
Child neurology5 yrs22096.8%63% / 13%$310,000
Physical medicine and rehabilitation4 yrs587100%52% / 38%$376,000
Imaging, lab & radiation
Diagnostic radiology5 yrs1,23998.0%67% / 14%$610,000
Interventional radiology6 yrs23895.8%73% / 12%$635,000
Radiation oncology5 yrs18397.8%74% / 11%$614,000
Pathology3–4 yrs63699.7%42% / 18%$410,000
Nuclear medicine4 yrsFew–––
Skin, genes & public health
Dermatology4 yrs57799.8%79% / 6%$498,000
Medical genetics and genomics3+ yrsFew––$274,000
Preventive medicine3 yrsFew––$266,000

Sources: ACGME program requirements in effect July 1, 2026; NRMP Results and Data: 2026 Main Residency Match; SF Match and AUPO (ophthalmology); Society of Academic Urologists (urology); Doximity Physician Compensation Report 2026. “Few” means only a handful of positions were offered in the Main Match because most physicians enter after other training.

Pay in context

What physicians earn, and what it leaves out

Pay generally rises with procedures and surgery. In Doximity’s 2026 report, average pay ranged from about $266,000 in preventive medicine to $829,000 in neurological surgery. Medscape’s 2026 survey put the average at $298,000 for primary care physicians and $417,000 for specialists.

Averages hide a lot. Pay varies by region, by whether you work for a hospital, a group or yourself, and by experience. Doximity also found a 26% gap between what men and women physicians earned. Longer residencies mean more years on a resident’s salary before your income rises, and median education debt for the class of 2025 was $215,000.

Serving where the need is. Primary care fields offered a record 20,712 positions in the 2026 Match, and family medicine left 899 unfilled before SOAP. Programs such as the National Health Service Corps repay loans for physicians who work in shortage areas. Our cost and borrowing planner can help you plan for debt.

Average pay by specialty

Full-time physicians, 2025 earnings

Highest average pay
Neurological surgery
$829K
Thoracic surgery
$750K
Orthopaedic surgery
$697K
Interventional radiology
$635K
Plastic surgery
$626K
Lowest average pay
Internal medicine–pediatrics
$320K
Child neurology
$310K
Medical genetics and genomics
$274K
Pediatrics
$274K
Preventive medicine
$266K

Source: Doximity Physician Compensation Report 2026. Medscape figures reported by Fierce Healthcare, April 2026.

When you decide

Choosing and applying for residency

Most students explore in the first two years through interest groups, shadowing and research, then test their interest during third-year clerkships. Because applications go to programs in early September of the final year, most commit by then. Many complete sub-internships or away rotations in their chosen field first.

  • Program signals: in participating specialties, applicants send a limited number of signals through ERAS to show real interest in specific programs. The AAMC asks programs to treat a signal as one data point among many.
  • Separate matches: ophthalmology runs through the SF Match and urology through the AUA, both with earlier deadlines. Military programs have their own selection process too.
  • A backup plan: applicants to very competitive fields often apply to a second specialty at the same time. Unmatched applicants can apply for open positions during Match Week through the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP).

The road to Match Day 2027

  1. June 4, 2026
    ERAS opens for the 2027 season

    Applicants can start building their applications.

  2. September 2, 2026
    Applicants can submit to programs

    Program signals go out with applications.

  3. September 15, 2026
    NRMP registration opens
  4. September 23, 2026
    Programs begin reviewing applications
  5. Fall to winter
    Interviews
  6. February 1, 2027
    Urology Match Day; NRMP ranking opens
  7. March 3, 2027
    Rank order lists due
  8. March 15, 2027
    Match Week begins

    Applicants learn whether they matched; SOAP starts.

  9. March 19, 2027
    Match Day

    Applicants learn where they matched. Residency usually begins in late June or July.

Sources: AAMC 2027 ERAS timeline; NRMP 2027 Main Residency Match calendar; Society of Academic Urologists.

Beyond getting in

Questions to ask as you choose

Prestige and pay get the most attention. Weigh them alongside the work itself, the patients you’ll serve and the life the specialty allows.

People

Who do I want to care for?

Children, adults or both? People in crisis or people you’ll know for decades? Patients in the room, or patients you’ll never meet, as in pathology and much of radiology?

Work

How do I like to think and work?

Some fields reward hands-on skill in the operating room or procedure suite. Others center on diagnosis, conversation and managing complex illness over time.

Life

What schedule can I sustain?

Shift work in emergency medicine, call in surgery and obstetrics, or predictable clinic hours in dermatology and rehabilitation medicine. Ask practicing physicians what their weeks actually look like.

Time

How long do I want to train?

Residency ranges from three to seven years before any fellowship. Consider your age, family plans and debt along with your interest.

Purpose

Where is my work most needed?

The federal government designates shortage areas for primary care and mental health, and many rural and underserved communities lack physicians. Mission-driven schools and loan repayment programs support these paths.

Flexibility

How do I keep options open?

Broad residencies such as internal medicine and pediatrics lead to dozens of fellowships. For very competitive fields, plan a parallel application in a second specialty.

Applying to medical school? You don’t need to pick a specialty first. Schools want to see that you understand what physicians do and why you want to be one. Shadow in primary care and at least one other field, and choose schools whose missions match the kind of physician you hope to become. How mission fit shapes your school list.
FAQ

Specialty questions

Do I need to know my specialty before applying to medical school?

No. Medical schools look for an informed commitment to becoming a physician, not a chosen specialty. Most students decide during their clinical rotations in the third year. Shadowing in primary care and at least one other field helps you understand the range of medicine and write about it with authority.

When do medical students choose a specialty?

Most narrow their choice during third-year clerkships and commit by early in the final year, because residency applications open to programs in September. For the 2027 Match, applicants could submit through ERAS from September 2, 2026, and Match Day is March 19, 2027.

What is the difference between a residency and a fellowship?

Residency is the training every physician completes after medical school to practice in a specialty, lasting three to seven years. A fellowship is optional further training in a subspecialty after residency, such as cardiology after internal medicine or pediatric surgery after general surgery, usually lasting one to three years.

Can DO graduates go into any specialty?

Yes. DO and MD graduates apply to the same residency programs and match into every specialty. In the 2026 Match, 93.2% of U.S. DO seniors matched, the highest rate on record. The share of positions filled by DO seniors varies widely by specialty, from 38% in physical medicine and rehabilitation to under 2% in plastic and thoracic surgery, so look at the data for the fields you’re considering. MD vs. DO.

Which specialties are the most competitive?

There is no single ranking. Fields with few positions that fill almost entirely with U.S. seniors, such as thoracic, plastic and neurological surgery and otolaryngology, are among the hardest to enter. The figures on this page describe positions, not your chances. For applicant-level data on scores, research and match rates by specialty, see the NRMP’s Charting Outcomes reports. Why no one can predict your chances.

Where do cardiology, oncology and gastroenterology fit?

They are subspecialties of internal medicine. Physicians complete a three-year internal medicine residency, then a fellowship. Pediatric versions follow a pediatrics residency. In Doximity’s 2026 report, average pay was $605,000 in cardiology, $531,000 in gastroenterology and $520,000 in oncology.

Can I change specialties later?

Yes, and some residents do, usually by applying again through the Match. Positions in some specialties are reserved for physicians who have already completed some residency training. Switching can add time to your training, so exposure before you apply is worth the effort.

Official sources

Where these numbers come from

We update this guide when new Match and compensation data are released. Always confirm program-specific requirements with the program itself.

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