10 Least Competitive Medical Specialties in 2025

Key Takeaways:

• Some medical specialties, like family medicine, psychiatry, and pediatrics are less competitive, with more residency slots available, making them easier to get into.
• Specialties like orthopedics and plastic surgery are very competitive because of the rigorous requirements and limited number of residency spots. 
• To improve residency chances, it is good to apply to both competitive and less competitive specialties.
• Primary care specialties are in high demand, making them essential for meeting the growing healthcare needs.

Choosing a medical specialty can be a stressful decision for medical students, as it plays a big role in their future careers. Students need to consider several factors, such as their interests, career goals, lifestyle, and how competitive each specialty is. They must also think about the time commitment and the residency length for each specialty.

While some fields are very competitive, others are easier to get into. In this article, we’ll look at the 10 least competitive medical specialties in 2025 to help you make an informed decision for your future. 

Least Competitive Medical Specialties

There are an array of medical specialties that med students can choose from depending on their interests. However, getting into a residency program isn’t just a matter of picking one out of a bunch. Getting accepted into a residency program can be very challenging, especially if you aim for a competitive specialty like plastic surgery or orthopedics.

In addition to requiring exceptional grades, high test scores, and excellent references, these specialties are seen as competitive since there are fewer slots available than there are applicants. 

However, certain specialties are the opposite. Here is a list of the least competitive specialties in 2025:

1. Pediatrics

Pediatrics is a medical specialty dedicated to the care and health of infants, children, and teenagers. Pediatricians address various health issues, ranging from minor illnesses like colds to long-term conditions such as chronic diseases.

They provide routine examinations, administer vaccinations, and keep an eye on development and growth. Furthermore, pediatricians play a vital role in supporting and advising parents so that their children can grow and thrive emotionally and physically.

There is good news for medical students who enjoy caring and working with children, as pediatrics holds a 99.7% match rate. Due to this, there are lower Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores to get into this medical specialty. 

2. Family medicine

The focus of family medicine is to provide comprehensive healthcare for people of all ages, genders, and medical conditions. Family doctors form long-term relationships with their patients, and they offer care for virtually everything, from minor illnesses to chronic diseases, as well as preventive health. 

This medical specialty helps improve access to care, lowers costs, and improves outcomes, especially in rural areas, by promoting prevention and managing health issues early.

Family medicine remains one of the less competitive medical specialties despite its importance. Applicants who matched in family medicine often had lower Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores than applicants in other specialties, according to data from the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) 2024.

3. Emergency medicine

As the name suggests, emergency medicine’s primary objective is to treat patients who need immediate medical attention. Emergency medicine doctors treat anything from infections and strokes to heart attacks and trauma. 

In a fast-paced environment, this specialty provides patients with life-saving care, which is essential for reducing mortality and complications from severe illnesses. 

Emergency medicine ranks fourth in terms of open residency positions, with a total of 3,026 in 2024. It also ranks low in competitiveness, holding a 98% matching rate. The high number of open slots combined with the high-stress nature of this specialty is what makes it less competitive compared to others.

Besides, in 2024, the slots required for family medicine weren’t completely filled —from 5,213 available posts, only 4,702 applied. 

4. Internal medicine

The focus of internal medicine is diagnosing, treating, and preventing adult diseases. Internal medicine physicians, known as internists, are trained to deal with various conditions, chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, and even different organ system diseases.

Since long-term care is necessary for adult patients with severe medical conditions or chronic diseases, this specialty is essential to healthcare. They are especially vital in preventing or intervening at an early stage and, as such, enhance patient outcomes and even reduce the cost of healthcare.

Out of all the residencies, internal medicine offers the most residency positions, with 10,681 in 2024. And, with only 13,143 applicants throughout the country, the match rate in this specialty continues to be high.

Besides, lower USMLE score requirements and the fact that the specialty does not require extensive research from prospective physicians make internal medicine a relatively accessible specialty.

5. Psychiatry

Psychiatry focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental health disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia. Psychiatrists work with patients to understand their diagnosis and then treat them accordingly, whether through therapy, medication, or both. 

Though this wasn’t always the general opinion, mental health is just as important as physical health. Properly addressing psychological conditions can improve the quality of life, relationships, and overall well-being of people who struggle with mental health. 

Psychiatry is considered a less competitive specialty as it holds a greater match rate and more residency spots available—2261 in 2024. Besides, compared to candidates in more competitive specialties, matched applicants typically have lower Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores.

6. Neurology

Neurology is a medical specialty that focuses on nervous system disorders, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Neurologists deal with patients with various conditions such as strokes, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, etc. 

The brain and the nervous system significantly affect our daily lives, which makes the doctors who help people keep the brain at optimal levels essential for managing symptoms and quality of life for patients with nervous system disorders.

Despite all of this, neurology remains one of the less competitive specialties for several reasons. First, only 1,476 medicine graduates applied for the 1,126 neurology positions that opened in 2024. Second, neurology is also one of the more complex specialties due to the extensive diagnostic work and challenges in treating chronic and often incurable conditions, which makes it less attractive in the eyes of prospective doctors. 

7. Pathology

Pathology is a branch of medicine that focuses on using autopsy, tissue, blood, and body fluids to diagnose illnesses. Because they can employ laboratory testing to determine the source of diseases, including infections, cancer, and autoimmune disorders, pathologists are essential to the healthcare system. They give other doctors information about these illnesses, as such, being instrumental for other doctors to provide accurate diagnoses and, subsequently, tailored treatment plans.

Despite its important role, pathology is one of the less competitive specialties. The matching rate for MD seniors with a PhD in pathology is 93.5%. Additionally, the lack of direct patient interaction makes this specialization less appealing to applicants. 

8. Radiation Oncology

The focus of radiation oncology is on using radiation therapy to treat cancer. The work of radiation oncologists includes using the right amount of radiation to shrink cancer cells and preserve as much healthy tissue as possible.

Due to the increased prevalence of cancer cases, the role of radiation oncology in healthcare cannot be overstated. Whether used alone or in combination with surgery and chemotherapy, radiation is a key component in treating cancer.

Radiation oncology has become less competitive in recent years for a few reasons. Although there were only 203 residency positions offered in 2024, it was still higher than the number of applicants (201). This decline in competitiveness is partly due to the concern about the oversupply of radiation oncologists and partly due to the complex nature of this specialty.

9. Anesthesiology

Anesthesiology is the medical specialty that deals with pain management and the administration of anesthesia during different procedures, including surgeries, childbirth, and other medical interventions. 

It’s the responsibility of anesthesiologists to ensure patient safety and comfort during medical procedures by administering exactly the amount of anesthesia needed. They also help with chronic pain management and help improve the quality of life for patients with long-term conditions.

Despite its importance and various benefits, such as high earning potential and well-defined work hours, anesthesiology is less competitive than other specialties. The high number of residency positions, 2,135 in 2024 (for which 2,933 medical students applied), paired with the physically demanding nature and high level of responsibility of the job, make this specialty less competitive. 

10. Physical medicine and rehabilitation

The goal of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), often known as physiatry, is to improve the quality of life for those who have physical limitations or injuries. Physiatrists help patients recover from a range of conditions, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and musculoskeletal issues. 

This medical specialty is essential for long-term recovery and well-being, as well as supporting patients in managing chronic conditions.

Although the number of residency positions is relatively low (577), it is still a non-competitive specialty (in 2024, there were 740 applicants, placing the matching rate at 84.8%). PM&R is also more focused on rehabilitation, which means fewer applicants prefer it over procedure-oriented or higher-earning specialties.  

How to Choose Your Specialty?

Choosing a medical specialty is an important decision that will shape your future. To make the right choice, start by thinking about what you enjoy most in medicine. Picking something you’re passionate about will make your career more rewarding.

Next, think about the future of the specialty—are there many job opportunities, and will it offer stability? Consider the income potential, especially if you have student loans to pay off.

Another factor is your chances of getting into a residency. Some specialties are harder to match, while others are less competitive. 

Finally, think about the kind of work and lifestyle you want. Do you prefer a fast-paced environment, long-term patient care, or research? Understanding what fits you best will help you choose a specialty that makes you happy and successful.

How to Get into Residency?

Getting into residency takes planning and hard work. Start by looking into programs that fit your goals and skills. To apply, you’ll use the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). You’ll need to include your resume, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, your medical school grades, and your USMLE or COMLEX test scores. 

Make sure to prepare for interviews by practicing common questions and showing your passion for the specialty. It’s also a good idea to apply to a mix of competitive and less competitive programs to improve your chances.

If you don’t match into residency, don’t lose hope. You can apply for unfilled positions through the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP).

You could also spend time building a stronger application by doing research, gaining clinical experience, or improving your test scores, then reapply next year. Stay positive and keep trying—you’ll eventually find the right path to start your career.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while specialties like plastic surgery and orthopedics are highly competitive, fields such as family medicine, psychiatry, and pediatrics are more accessible and essential for addressing diverse patient needs. Similarly, internal medicine, pathology, and emergency medicine offer broader residency opportunities while playing vital roles in healthcare.

Explore AUAMED’s residency placements to learn more about our medical programs and opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hardest specialty to match into?

The hardest specialty to match is plastic surgery due to its high competition and limited spots.

What medical specialty is most needed?

Primary care specialties, like family medicine, are the most needed due to the increasing demand for healthcare services.

What are the most competitive medical specialties in 2025?

The most competitive medical specialties in 2025 include plastic surgery, orthopedics, and dermatology. For more details, check our article on the most in-demand specialties in 2024.

What is the shortest specialty in medicine?

The shortest specialty in medicine is family medicine, with a typical residency duration of 3 years.