Physician specialties most, least likely to be hospital employed

Advertisement

Hospital employment rates vary dramatically by specialty, from nearly 79% in hematology and oncology to under 27% in podiatry, according to 2026 Trilliant Health data. 

The pattern reflects a clear divide between procedural and hospital-based specialties, which cluster toward employment, and office-based specialties, which are more likely to remain independent.

Most hospital-employed specialties:

  • Hematology and oncology: 78.8%
  • General surgery: 77.8%
  • Cardiology: 77.4%
  • Neurology: 75.6%
  • Neurological surgery: 74.8%
  • Endocrinology: 73.5%
  • Radiology: 73.2%
  • Vascular surgery: 72.3%
  • Infectious disease: 72.1%
  • Pulmonology/critical care: 72.1%

Near the national average (59.4%):

  • Radiation oncology: 67.3%
  • Urology: 64.4%
  • OB-GYN: 64.1%
  • Gastroenterology: 63.0%
  • Rheumatology: 61.9%
  • Pediatrics: 60%
  • Primary Care: 58%
  • ENT/Otolaryngology: 56.6%

Least hospital-employed specialties:

  • Orthopedics: 53.5%
  • Plastic surgery: 51.2%
  • Psychiatry: 48.6%
  • Nephrology: 46.9%
  • Physical medicine, rehab and pain management: 45.5%
  • Allergy and immunology: 41.5%
  • Dermatology: 32%
  • Ophthalmology: 30.9%
  • Podiatry: 26.9%

At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.

Advertisement

Next Up in Leadership

Advertisement