When it comes to long-term success, nothing moves the needle quite like exposure to the equity markets. For most professionals, the sweet spot for taking on that market risk happens in their 30s and 40s — when income is steady, savings are growing, and there’s still plenty of time to ride out volatility.

But for ER doctors, that window looks different. The later start, higher salaries, and often shorter career arc mean the equity sweet spot is compressed, but arguably even more important. It’s in those high-earning years where leaning into equities — despite the inherent market risk — is critical to building a cushion strong enough to weather income risks, early retirement goals, and the unpredictability that comes with emergency medicine.