Physiatry Job Outlook

The medical field continues to grow and change. Jobs have increased across many medical specialties. As you consider a medical career, you may wonder about the opportunities available in various specialties. Physiatry is a growing field with the potential for significant changes in the coming years.

Career Outlook for PM&R

The medical field is growing at every level, from increases in medical school enrollment to higher numbers of jobs and expected job growth in the coming years. Medical school enrollment has grown 17.8% since 2012. The number of residents has also increased. Residency programs had 48,156 applicants in 2023, with 40,375 positions filled. Within the physical medicine and rehabilitation specialty, 206 positions were offered and filled. Over the past five years, the number of residency positions in physiatry has increased steadily. 

Once licensed and board-certified, physicians and surgeons make up 816,900 jobs in the United States. The field is expected to grow about 3% from 2022 to 2032. The American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation has issued 15,096 certificates in physiatry and hundreds across various subspecialties.

Reports from the Association of American Medical Colleges predict a physician shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034. Within the medical specialties, where physiatry resides, the need could be as high as 13,400. The high shortages mean a high demand for physiatrists and other physicians.

High numbers of skilled nursing facilities and residents increase demand for medical specialties like physiatry. In 2023, the number of skilled nursing facilities was over 15,000. Inpatient rehabilitation facilities also hire high numbers of physiatry professionals. There are over 1,200 facilities of this type across the United States.

Career Opportunities and Settings

Physicians with training and board certification in physical medicine and rehabilitation may work in several settings, including:

• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation centers
• Private practices
• Outpatient settings
• Academic institutions
• Government agencies

The primary job opportunities include clinical practice, research, teaching, and administration. Clinical work often takes place in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, and private practices. This job involves hands-on caring for patients.

Within clinical practices, physiatrists may provide solely outpatient care — like sports or occupational medicine — or exclusively inpatient care for stroke, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cord injury. Some physicians offer a mix of both. As a practicing physiatrist, your patients are typically referral-based, and you act in a consulting role. Referrals may come from various sources, from family practice to neurosurgery.

Some physiatrists may go directly into research or teaching positions at academic institutions. In some cases, it may depend on the subspecialty. Posts within the subspecialty of traumatic brain injuries tend to be more research-based. Physiatrists also hold administrative positions, typically after some clinical expertise or additional degrees in healthcare administration.

Evolving Trends in PM&R

The physical medicine and rehabilitation specialty continues to grow and change with evolving technologies, populations, and attitudes toward medical care. Here are a few prominent physiatrist job trends:

• Technology: Advancements like telemedicine and digital health technologies have changed the way physicians practice. Now, they can provide remote patient monitoring and offer more efficient and accessible care. Since physiatrists often serve in a consulting role, these technologies allow them to work with patients across a larger area.
• Holistic Care: Mindsets have begun to shift in medical fields toward more holistic care. Many people want doctors who can address multiple layers of health and wellness. Physiatrists are well-positioned to provide this care, as they manage everything from medication to physical and occupational therapy.
• Growing Populations: As time goes on, the population of older adults increases. This population needs care to improve their quality of life as they deal with musculoskeletal disorders and recover from surgeries like joint replacements. Advances in medicine have increased survival of various neurological and musculoskeletal conditions from childhood to old age.

Physiatrist Salary and Compensation

As of 2024, the average annual salary for physiatrists in the United States is approximately $364,000, reflecting an increase from prior years. This rate is significantly higher than the average salary of $238,700 that physicians earn across all specialties. Compensation in the field of physiatry continues to trend positively due to growing demand and the increasing value placed on PM&R expertise.

Physiatrist salaries vary based on several factors, including geographic location, subspecialty, and practice setting:

• State: Some states offer higher compensation for physicians. In 2023, the five highest-paying states for physiatrists were Texas, North Carolina, Illinois, New York, and Alabama. These trends remain consistent into 2024.
• City: Urban and metropolitan areas tend to pay higher salaries than rural regions. Major cities with high demand for specialized care often offer the most competitive salaries.
• Experience: As physiatrists gain experience and treat diverse conditions, their expertise often leads to higher earnings over time.
• Education: Advanced education or subspecialty certification can lead to higher salaries. Physiatrists specializing in pain management or sports medicine, for example, tend to earn significantly more, with some subspecialties averaging upwards of $439,000 annually.
• Practice Setting: Private group practices and large healthcare organizations typically pay more than academic or public institutions.

Beyond base salaries, many physiatrists earn substantial bonuses and additional benefits. In 2023, bonuses ranged from $30,000 to over $100,000, with 57% of physicians receiving bonuses. These trends are expected to persist into 2024. Benefits such as medical and dental insurance, professional liability insurance, and employer-provided retirement plans further enhance the total compensation package for physiatrists.

Physiatrist career outlooks remain positive overall. Those searching for jobs can find work in any state, with the most opportunities concentrated in metropolitan areas. While rural regions may have fewer job openings, there are still positions available. Certification from the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation can increase the likelihood of landing high-paying positions. Additional training, focused residencies, and specialized skillsets can further boost demand and open doors to sought-after roles.

As with most careers, networking and relationships within the industry are essential for success. Physiatrists can expand their connections by attending PM&R events and building relationships with physicians in related specialties.

Pursue a Physiatry Career With Medrina

Medrina is the nation’s largest physiatry group. We help physiatrists find jobs in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs). Our knowledge of the PM&R field and our partnerships give you the support you need for your medical career. We provide jobs to both new and experienced physicians, enabling them to deliver high-quality patient care at any stage in their career.

Physiatry is a lesser-known but growing field. Our team at Medrina understands your value and can find the right post-acute setting for you to succeed in. You can contact us to discuss everything from beginning a career in physiatry to changing your current position.