Also called: Intensivist, ICU Doctor
Leads care for the sickest patients in the ICU, many on life support.
Rounds on 15 critically ill patients, adjusts ventilator settings and drips, places central lines, and has honest conversations with families about prognosis. Nights in the ICU can be intense.
Estimate; BLS top-codes physician wages.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Professional degree (MD, JD, DVM…), about 14 years after high school. Bachelor's, medical school, a residency (internal medicine, surgery, or anesthesia), then a critical care fellowship.
Ways in: 4-year college, Professional school. Training cost: Over $150k.
Majors to look at: Biology, Chemistry, Pre-Medicine.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. AI early-warning systems and tele-ICU tools extend coverage; life-support decisions and family talks stay with the physician.
Classes: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-1229.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.