The average age of 23 physician specialists

By Claire Wallace for Becker’s Hospital Review

The average age of practicing physicians in the U.S. is 53.9, which is nearly 10 years higher than the U.S. labor force median age of 41.8, according to a 2023 report from Definitive Healthcare based on data from more than 810,000 healthcare providers. 

Cardiologists are, on average, the oldest physician specialists in practice, with an average age of 59. 

The average age of 23 physician specialists: 

1. Cardiac surgery: 59 

2. Adult medicine: 58 

3. General practice: 58 

4. Adolescent medicine: 57 

5. Clinical neuropsychology: 57

6. Radiology/nuclear medicine: 57

7. Addiction medicine: 57

8. Occupational medicine: 56

9. Preventive medicine: 56

10. Orthopedic surgery: 56

11. Thoracic surgery: 56

12. Hospice and palliative care: 48 

13. Pediatric emergency medicine: 48 

14. Emergency medicine: 48 

15. Pediatric critical care intensivists: 48 

16. Critical care intensivists: 48 

17. Pediatric cardiologists: 48 

18. Pediatric anesthesiologists: 48 

19. Sports medicine specialists: 47 

20. Pediatric rheumatology: 47 

21. Osteopathic manipulative medicine: 47 

22. Pediatric rehabilitation medicine: 46

23. Hospitalist: 44