How to Become a Gastroenterologist: Training, Salary, and Career Path

Gastroenterology is one of the most fascinating and rewarding subspecialties in medicine. Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat conditions affecting the digestive system, including the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. If you’ve ever been curious about how the gut connects to overall health, or if you enjoy problem-solving and procedures without performing surgery, this specialty could be the right fit for you.

At Go Elective, we offer global internships for students in all healthcare pathways. Giving you hands-on exposure in hospitals across Kenya and Tanzania. For aspiring gastroenterologists, shadowing doctors in international settings is an excellent way to understand patient care in resource-diverse environments while strengthening your medical school applications. Learn more or apply now.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to become a gastroenterologist, how long the journey takes, and what you can expect in terms of career and salary.

Step 1: Decide If Gastroenterology Is Right for You

Choosing a specialty is one of the biggest decisions in your medical career. Before committing, ask yourself:

• Do I have a strong interest in digestive diseases and liver health?
• Do I enjoy procedures like colonoscopies and endoscopies without performing surgery?
• Am I calm and focused in emergency settings?
• Do I want to work with both chronic conditions and acute cases?

Shadowing, volunteering, or joining a pre-med internship abroad can help you decide. These experiences not only clarify your interests but also strengthen your CV.

Step 2: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Medical schools require a bachelor’s degree, though your major doesn’t matter as much as completing the right prerequisites. Common requirements include:

• Biology
• Chemistry and Organic Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematics
• English

Plan your coursework early to align with your target schools’ prerequisites. Maintaining a high GPA will also help your application stand out.

Step 3: Take the MCAT

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required by most U.S. medical schools. A competitive score is essential—average accepted scores for MD students hover around 511. Allow 3–6 months of study, and plan to retake if needed to match your target school’s averages.

Step 4: Apply to Medical School

Through AMCAS, AACOMAS, or TMDSAS, you’ll submit your primary and secondary applications. Requirements typically include:

• Personal statement
• CV
• Letters of recommendation
• MCAT scores
• Secondary essays
• Interviews

Once admitted, medical school lasts four years: two years of foundational sciences followed by two years of clinical rotations. You’ll also complete USMLE Step 1 (after year two) and Step 2 (before residency).

Step 5: Complete an Internal Medicine or Pediatrics Residency

To pursue gastroenterology, you must first complete a residency in internal medicine (3 years) or pediatrics (4 years). During residency, you’ll build a strong clinical foundation while deciding whether to focus on adult or pediatric gastroenterology.

Step 6: Enter a Gastroenterology Fellowship

After residency, gastroenterology requires a 2–3 year fellowship. This advanced training focuses on:

• Endoscopic procedures (colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, ERCP)
• Digestive system diseases (IBD, GERD, liver disease, pancreatic disorders)
• Preventive care (colon cancer screening)
• Specialized research in gastroenterology

Fellowships are highly competitive, so excelling in residency, publishing research, and securing strong recommendations are essential.

Step 7: Obtain Board Certification and Licensing

After fellowship, you must pass exams through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) in gastroenterology. Additionally, state licensure is required in every state you intend to practice.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Gastroenterologist?

On average, the path takes about 14 years:

• 4 years: Bachelor’s degree
• 4 years: Medical school
• 3 years: Internal medicine residency
• 2–3 years: Gastroenterology fellowship

While long, the career offers both intellectual challenge and meaningful patient impact.

Gastroenterologist Salary

According to recent surveys, gastroenterologists earn an average salary of around $400,000 annually, with ranges typically between $334,000–$468,000 depending on experience, subspecialty, and location. Subspecializing in areas like hepatology or advanced endoscopy can increase earning potential.

Should You Become a Gastroenterologist?

Here are factors to consider:

• Education Length: At least 14 years from college through fellowship.
• Competitiveness: Fellowships are selective, requiring strong residency performance.
• Procedural Focus: You’ll perform endoscopies and colonoscopies but not surgeries.
• Patient Impact: You’ll diagnose life-threatening conditions like GI cancers, manage chronic illnesses like Crohn’s disease, and improve quality of life for countless patients.

If these aspects align with your passion, gastroenterology may be the right path for you.

FAQs

#1. What does a gastroenterologist do?

They diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases of the digestive system, including the stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.

#2. How long does it take to become one?

Approximately 14 years, including undergrad, medical school, residency, and fellowship.

#3. What is the average salary?

Around $400,000 annually in the U.S., with variation based on region and subspecialty.

#4. Do gastroenterologists perform surgery?

No. They perform procedures like endoscopies and colonoscopies but refer surgical cases to surgeons.

#5. Is gastroenterology competitive?

Yes, gastroenterology fellowships are considered among the most competitive in internal medicine.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a gastroenterologist requires patience, persistence, and a genuine passion for digestive health. While the road is long, the opportunity to diagnose, treat, and prevent critical illnesses makes the career deeply rewarding.

At Go Elective, we help aspiring gastroenterologists explore global healthcare through immersive internships in Kenya and Tanzania. By shadowing physicians, assisting in clinics, and gaining cultural competence, you’ll strengthen your medical school applications while making a real impact.

Learn more or start your application today.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives, Nursing Internships, PA Internships, Med Schools, Residency,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Sep 17, 2025