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Gastroenterology vs. Diagnostic Radiology: Which Specialty is Right for You?

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by Yousmle Staff in Career

Gastroenterology vs. diagnostic radiology is one of the debates among medical students interested in physiology. Both specialties allow you to explore the complex workings of the human body and use your skills to improve patient outcomes. However, they also have significant differences, such as the scope of practice, the work environment, and the training requirements.

How do you decide which one is right for you? In this article, we will provide helpful information and tips to help you make an intelligent decision on gastroenterology vs. diagnostic radiology and find a fulfilling career that matches your interests and abilities. We will also help you evaluate practical factors such as job availability, salary, and training duration.

Gastroenterology vs. Diagnostic Radiology: Salary and Job Security

Gastroenterology might be your specialty if you want to earn a lot of money and have a steady demand for your services. But be prepared for a competitive job market after fellowship, even if you graduate from a prestigious program.

Diagnostic radiology, meanwhile, offers more job openings. You can easily find a hospital that needs diagnostic radiologists, and the career outlook is positive, even if the salary is not as high as gastroenterology. But diagnostic radiology also comes with some challenges, such as higher burnout and less job security, which we will discuss later.

Both gastroenterology and diagnostic radiology are high-paying medical specialties, but gastroenterologists typically earn a slightly higher average salary. According to recent data, gastroenterologists earn an average annual salary of $501,000, while diagnostic radiologists have a slightly lower average salary of $483,000.

Estimated Physician Average Yearly Salary by Medical Specialty in the US

Gastroenterologists earn $501,000 per year on average, while diagnostic radiologists earn less with $483,000 annually

Gastroenterology vs. Diagnostic Radiology: Competitiveness

Here, we can assess the competitiveness of a specialty by looking at the unmatched rate – the % of people who apply and do not match into their preferred specialty. For diagnostic radiology, the unmatched percentage among US Seniors was 16.8%, making it moderately competitive among US residencies.

Gastroenterology vs. Radiology

Diagnostic radiology had a 16.8% unmatched rate, while internal medicine had a 2% unmatched rate among US seniors

To pursue a career in gastroenterology, you must first match into an internal medicine residency. Among US Seniors, the unmatched percentage for internal medicine residency was only 2%, making it less competitive than other residencies. However, this does not mean that gastroenterology is less competitive. After completing your internal medicine residency, you will still need to match into a fellowship, which is generally more competitive than matching into a residency. 

Below is the unmatched percentage among non-pediatric fellowships with >100 applicants. The unmatched percentage of US Seniors applying to the gastroenterology fellowship was 20.6%, making it highly competitive compared to most fellowships with >100 applicants.

Training Path: Fellowship vs Residency

To become a gastroenterologist, you must complete a three-year fellowship in gastroenterology after completing a three-year internal medicine residency. Diagnostic radiology involves a five-year diagnostic radiology residency.

A gastroenterology fellowship is typically more competitive than a diagnostic radiology residency. Your USMLE scores, med school, and research are the main things for residency applications. Research is also a big thing for fellowship applications, and your residency program counts more, but your USMLE scores matter much less.

Gastroenterology vs. Diagnostic Radiology: Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is a crucial factor for many medical professionals. Radiologists often enjoy a better work-life balance due to the nature of their work. They usually have predetermined working hours, leading to more predictable schedules. However, it’s worth mentioning that this also means radiologists are thought to be more easily replaced, as they don’t typically maintain a panel of patients like their gastroenterology counterparts.

On average, gastroenterologists work 52.3 hours per week, which is in the middle of all medical specialties. In comparison, radiologists average 49.6 weekly working hours, ranking below the middle of all medical specialties.

Estimated Physician Weekly Working Hours by Medical Specialty in the US

Gastroenterologists work an average of 52.3 hours per week, while diagnostic radiologists work slightly fewer hours, at 49.6 per week.

Gastroenterologists require more documentation, such as referral letters and diagnostic tests, resulting in an estimated 13 hours of admin/paperwork per week. In comparison, radiologists have only 11 hours, which is at the lower end of all medical specialties.

Estimated Physician Admin/Paperwork Hours by Medical Specialty in the US

Gastroenterologists work on admin/paperwork an average of 13 hours per week, while diagnostic radiologists work fewer hours, at 11 per week.

Training Duration and Subspecialties

The training duration is a key aspect to consider when choosing between gastroenterology vs. diagnostic radiology. Diagnostic radiology has a five-year training period, while gastroenterology has a six-year training period with three years of internal medicine residency followed by a three-year gastroenterology fellowship.

Additionally, gastroenterologists often pursue more subspecialty training in fields like advanced endoscopy or hepatology because of the scarce job opportunities. This can increase the length of your gastroenterology training.

Gastroenterology vs. Diagnostic Radiology: Job Satisfaction and Burnout Rates

Job satisfaction plays a significant role in career fulfillment. According to various studies, both gastroenterologists and radiologists tend to have high job satisfaction rates, with many professionals expressing contentment with their career choice and would choose it again if given the chance.

According to recent data, gastroenterology ranked near the upper end of all medical specialties, with 92% of gastroenterologists stating that they would choose the same specialty again, while diagnostic radiology ranked slightly lower, with 90% of diagnostic radiologists feeling the same way.

Job Satisfaction Rate By Medical Specialty in the US

Gastroenterologists reported a 92% job satisfaction rate, while diagnostic radiologists reported lower satisfaction with a 90%

The burnout rates for gastroenterology and diagnostic radiology were both above the middle of all medical specialties, with gastroenterology at 52% and diagnostic radiology at 54%.

Burnout Rate By Medical Specialty in the US

Gastroenterologists have a burnout rate of 52%, while diagnostic radiologists have a slightly higher burnout rate of 54%.

Gastroenterology vs. Diagnostic Radiology Comparison

To provide a visual overview, here’s a table comparing gastroenterology and diagnostic radiology:

AspectGastroenterologyDiagnostic Radiology
Average SalaryGenerally high salary as demand grows for procedures like colonoscopies.Generally high income but lower than gastroenterology
Job SecurityHigh demand due to the prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders
High demand due to importance of imaging in diagnosis and nonsurgical treatments
Training PathTypically involves 3 years of internal medicine residency followed by a 3-year gastroenterology fellowship


Typically involves 5 years of radiology residency
LifestyleTypically regular working hours, but may also have on-call duties
Better work-life balance, no take-home work
Administrative PaperworkModerate documentation requirements for patient records and surgical plans Lower documentation requirements
Job SatisfactionHighSlightly lower
Burnout RatesModerateSlightly higher
PersonalityStrong communication skills for patient education
Analytical, technology-oriented, ability to multitask

Please note that this table serves as a general comparison. To determine the most suitable career for you, consider your personal and career priorities and goals.

Concluding Thoughts

Choosing the right specialty between gastroenterology vs. diagnostic radiology depends heavily on your priorities. To determine this, try reverse engineering your ideal life and identify your top priority. A helpful exercise is to write down the top five things you want to achieve in your career and personal life. Knowing these priorities will make finding a career that aligns with them easier. Often, the biggest obstacle is not a lack of knowledge about different fields but a lack of self-awareness about our own preferences.

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Want FREE Cardiology Flashcards?

Cardiology is key for impressive USMLE scores. Master cardiology from a Harvard-trained anesthesiologist who scored USMLE 270 with these 130+ high-yield flash cards. You’ll be begging for cardio questions - even if vitals make you queasy.

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