How Physician Shortages Are Changing Careers by Specialty

Physician shortages aren’t hitting every specialty equally—and that matters for how you plan your career. Updated projections show the U.S. may be short up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, including tens of thousands in primary care and surgery.

Source: AAMC and specialty society reports on physician demand by specialty.

Where demand is strongest

Reports highlight especially strong demand in:

• Primary care and general internal medicine
• Several surgical specialties
• Psychiatry, radiology, and dermatology, where patient demand outpaces available clinicians

Shortfalls in these fields are projected to reach into the tens of thousands over the next decade, creating ongoing recruiting pressure and competition for talent.

How this changes job offers

In high‑shortage specialties, organizations are:

• Moving faster on interviews and offers.
• Putting more on the table in sign‑on bonuses, relocation, and loan assistance.
• Showing greater openness to flexible scheduling, telehealth, and part‑time roles.



Many are also expanding APP teams and redesigning call schedules to make roles more sustainable and attractive.

What physicians can do now

• Early‑career physicians can negotiate for mentorship, protected time, and clearer pathways to leadership instead of accepting whatever is offered first.
• Mid‑career clinicians can use market conditions to rebalance toward roles with better culture, support staff, and long‑term stability—not just higher pay.

If you’re in a shortage specialty and wondering how these trends apply to your specific market, we can share real‑world data from recent searches—compensation ranges, incentives, and lifestyle factors. Send us a message for a confidential specialty‑specific market check.

Sources: Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) physician workforce projections and national reports on specialty‑specific demand.