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The Physician Specialties Expected to Be in Highest Demand in 2026

• January 12, 2026
• 4 minute read

Demand for physicians is rising across almost every specialty. By 2026, this demand will be even more pronounced, driven by an aging population, growing chronic disease rates, and a shrinking physician workforce.

For physicians planning their next career move—or health systems preparing for future staffing needs—understanding which specialties will be most sought after is essential.

Below is a look at the specialties expected to be in highest demand in 2026, based on recent data from Doximity, physician recruiters, and national workforce projections.

Primary Care: Still the Foundation of U.S. Healthcare

Primary care continues to lead all specialties in demand. In fact, family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics consistently rank among the most recruited fields.

Doximity’s analysis of tens of thousands of job postings found that internal medicine and family medicine are the top two most-requested specialties, with pediatrics also in the top five. This aligns with long-standing concerns about a major primary care shortage. The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration projects a shortfall of 87,150 primary care physicians by 2037.

Several factors are driving this trend:

• The U.S. population is aging rapidly.
• Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and COPD are increasing.
• Fewer internal medicine residents are choosing generalist careers.

As a result, primary care physicians will remain at the center of recruitment efforts in 2026 and beyond.

Psychiatry: A Growing Crisis Meets a Shrinking Workforce

Psychiatry has surged into the top tier of in-demand specialties. It ranked third on Doximity’s list of most-requested specialties and eighth on the list of most in-demand locum tenens roles. The reasons are clear:

• Mental health needs have risen sharply since the pandemic.
• Substance use disorders continue to increase.
• The psychiatrist workforce is aging, with many nearing retirement.

This combination of high need and limited supply means psychiatry will remain one of the most competitive and essential specialties in 2026.

Women’s Health: OB‑GYN Demand Continues to Climb

Obstetrics and gynecology appear on every major list of high-demand specialties. Women’s health needs are growing, yet many regions—especially rural areas—face severe OB‑GYN shortages.

OB‑GYN ranks:

• No. 5 on Doximity’s most-requested specialties list 
• No. 3 among most in-demand locum specialties 

As maternal health challenges rise nationwide, OB/GYNs will remain critical to workforce planning.

Hospital-Based Specialties

Hospital-based specialties continue to see strong demand, especially in systems facing high patient volumes and staffing gaps.

• Anesthesiology ranks near the top of nearly every demand list. It is No. 2 among most-requested specialties, and No. 4 among most in-demand locum specialties. With surgical volumes increasing and CRNA shortages in some regions, anesthesiologists will remain essential.
• Radiology ranks in the top 10 across multiple datasets. Imaging volumes continue to grow, and many radiologists are nearing retirement age.
• Emergency medicine ranks No. 6 on Doximity’s list and No. 5 among locum specialties, reflecting ongoing staffing needs in hospitals nationwide. Despite recent concerns about workforce oversupply, real-world demand for emergency medicine remains strong.

High-Demand Medical Subspecialties

Some subspecialties stand out not only for high demand but also for limited supply.

• Gastroenterology ranks among the top five most-requested specialties and is one of the highest-demand locum roles. Digestive disorders affect millions of Americans, and screening needs continue to rise.
• Cardiology remains a cornerstone specialty due to the continued prevalence of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S. It appears on every major list of specialties with rising demand.
• When comparing demand with the number of practicing physicians, hematology/oncology ranks No. 1 in “ultimate demand,” which compares specialty demand against the number of practicing physicians in that specialty. Cancer incidence continues to rise, and oncologists are aging out of the workforce faster than new physicians can replace them.

Geriatrics: A Critical but Undersupplied Specialty

While geriatrics does not appear among the top 10 most-requested specialties, it is among the most urgent workforce needs. By 2034, the population aged 65+ will grow by 42%, yet the U.S. has only about 7,300 geriatricians—roughly one per 10,000 older adults. To meet national needs, experts contend that the country will require 33,000 geriatricians, far more than currently practice.

What High-Demand Specialties Means for Physicians

The data paints a clear picture: job security remains strong across nearly all specialties, but certain fields—especially primary care, psychiatry, OB‑GYN, anesthesiology, radiology, cardiology, gastroenterology, and oncology—will be especially competitive in 2026.

For physicians considering career moves, fellowship training, or locum tenens opportunities, these specialties offer some of the most promising paths.