Easiest Medical Specialties to Match Into: Least Competitive Specialties

The path to medical school is notoriously demanding. As a pre-med, you likely spent countless hours studying while your peers enjoyed a more traditional college experience. Your weekends were filled with shadowing physicians, and your summers dedicated to research, all to build a competitive medical school application. After acing the MCAT—and investing in prep courses, tutors, admissions consulting, and test fees—you made it. But getting in was only the beginning.

Now, as a medical student nearing the end of your journey, you're preparing for the next critical step: residency . By now, you’ve passed USMLE Step 1, Step 2, and Step 2 CK, and have completed most of your third-year clinical rotations. You probably have an idea of which specialty you'd like to pursue. But even among highly motivated and capable students, not everyone will match into ultra-competitive specialties like orthopedic surgery, dermatology, or neurosurgery.

If your credentials are average or you’re facing a few application red flags, don’t worry—there are still excellent options. Below is a list of the least competitive medical specialties, based on factors like average USMLE scores, percentage of applicants matched, number of publications, AOA membership, and medical school rankings.

1. Family Medicine

Family medicine consistently ranks as one of the least competitive specialties. The average USMLE Step 1 score among matched applicants is around 221, and more than 96% of applicants secure a position. It’s also highly accessible for international medical graduates (IMGs) and applicants with academic blemishes.

Family physicians provide care from birth to old age and often work in outpatient settings, although rural physicians may deliver babies, perform minor procedures, and manage inpatient cases. Residency lasts 3 to 4 years, with optional fellowships in sports medicine, geriatrics, hospice and palliative care, or sleep medicine.

• Average Salary: ~$230,000
• Residency Length: 3–4 years
• Ideal For: Compassionate, well-rounded applicants who enjoy long-term patient relationships.

2. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R)

PM&R is less known among medical students due to limited exposure during clinical rotations, yet it remains one of the most approachable specialties in terms of competitiveness. Applicants typically have USMLE Step 1 scores in the mid-220s, and match rates are high even for those without stellar academic records.

PM&R physicians help patients recover from strokes, spinal cord injuries, chronic pain, sports injuries, and more. They collaborate with physical therapists and often use joint injections, nerve stimulators, and orthotic devices to restore mobility and independence.

Average Salary: ~$300,000
Residency Length: 4 years
Ideal For: Applicants interested in patient-centered, multidisciplinary care with a strong work-life balance.

3. Anesthesiology

Despite being part of the traditionally competitive ROAD specialties (Radiology, Ophthalmology, Anesthesiology, Dermatology), anesthesiology is currently one of the least competitive medical fields. Most applicants with average grades and scores can match, and the demand continues to outpace the number of applicants.

Anesthesiologists manage pain and sedation during surgeries and procedures, often working behind the scenes in operating rooms. The specialty offers flexible, shift-based schedules and minimal patient follow-up.

• Average Salary: ~$390,000
• Residency Length: 4 years
• Ideal For: Applicants who prefer technical precision, minimal patient interaction, and a high-income lifestyle.

4. Pediatrics

Pediatrics is often chosen by those with a deep love for children, not necessarily for prestige or salary. It remains highly accessible, with USMLE Step 1 averages in the low 220s and a match rate of over 98%. Many international graduates and students with modest academic profiles find success here.

While general pediatrics salaries start around $160,000—lower than most specialties—it offers meaningful work and predictable hours, especially in outpatient settings.

• Average Salary: ~$160,000–$180,000
• Residency Length: 3 years
• Ideal For: Applicants passionate about child development and building long-term relationships with young patients and their families.

5. Psychiatry

Psychiatry continues to grow in demand, and its relatively low barrier to entry makes it one of the least competitive specialties. With growing societal recognition of mental health, psychiatrists play a vital role in modern medicine. The specialty allows for long, meaningful patient interactions and flexibility in practice settings.

Psychiatrists often work in private practice, academic centers, or hospitals. The field has a low overhead, and many choose to open their own practices. The ability to focus on cognitive therapies and the increasing range of medications make it a fulfilling field.

• Average Salary: ~$275,000–$300,000
• Residency Length: 4 years
• Ideal For: Thoughtful, empathetic applicants interested in long-term patient care and mental health advocacy.

6. Emergency Medicine

Emergency medicine (EM) is another specialty that balances high pay with relatively low competitiveness. Though the work is intense and unpredictable, EM residencies are easier to match into than most students realize. Most EM physicians enjoy flexible, shift-based work with no patient follow-up.

With training in trauma, cardiac arrest, acute infections, and more, EM offers variety and adrenaline. However, burnout is common due to irregular hours, night shifts, and challenging patient populations. Still, for those who thrive in fast-paced environments, EM is a great fit.

• Average Salary: ~$300,000+
• Residency Length: 3–4 years
• Ideal For: High-energy applicants who enjoy acute care, rapid decision-making, and hands-on procedures.

Final Thoughts

Every medical specialty comes with trade-offs in competitiveness, lifestyle, salary, and job satisfaction. While the fields listed above may be less competitive statistically, they are no less vital to patient care or the healthcare system. Choosing a specialty should never be based on prestige alone—it should align with your values, interests, and the kind of physician you want to become.

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Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: May 12, 2025