If you want a career as a Hematology-Oncologist, here is how competitive the medical specialty is to match into a Hematology-Oncology program. Doctors who specialize in treating blood cancers are known as hematologists-oncologists. Their training includes the blood system, lymphatic system, bone marrow, and cancers.
The term “hematologist-oncologist” refers to two different types of doctors. Hematologists diagnose and treat blood diseases, while an oncologist specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer. It is the specialty of a hematologist-oncologist to handle both.
Statistics on the Hematology-Oncology Match
In 2022, hematology-oncology had a total of 3,669 applicants and 663 spots. This equates to 5.5 applicants per position. Of the 1,267 U.S. MD seniors who applied, 148 did not match.
| Total Positions | Total Number of Applicants | Number of Applicants per Position |
| 663 | 3,669 | 5.5 |
Osteopathic (DO) Students Matching into Hematology-Oncology
In 2022, the total number of 48 DO applicants matched into Hematology-Oncology matched, for a 7.3% match percentage. This makes Hematology-Oncology a not-so-friendly field for osteopathic students.
| Matched DO Applicants | Percentage of Positions Filled by DOs | |
| 48 | 7.3% |
International Medical Graduates (IMGs) Matching into Hematology-Oncology
Because there are only 28% of filled spots went to IMGs, Hematology-Oncology is considered to be extremely competitive for IMGs students.
Honors, Research, and Awards for Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Candidates
Hematology-Oncology programs are very competitive, so it is important to have strong research, publications, and honors to help stand out against the other applicants.
Average Step 1 and Step 2 Scores for Hematology-Oncology
The mean U.S. Step 1 score for matched medical students in Hematology-Oncology was 239. The mean USMLE Step 2 CK score was 250.
Overall Competitiveness of Hematology-Oncology Fellowship and Chances of Matching
The overall competitiveness level of Hematology-Oncology is High.
What is the average salary for a Hematology-Oncologist?
The average salary post-graduation from a Hematology-Oncology fellowship is $352,653. Academic versus private practice as well as location also plays a large role in physician compensation.
What are fellowships one can do from a Hematology-Oncology Fellowship?
Following the successful completion of a general Hematology-Oncology fellowship, some physicians may choose to continue their graduate medical education with advanced fellowship training.
What are the best Hematology-Oncology programs in the country?
The best program for Hematology-Oncology, or any specialty, is very driven by personal preference and situation. How close you are to family, loved ones, the type of training environment, the opportunities available are all things to take into consideration above and beyond name recognition of a program. However, there are some highly regarded names in the world of Hematology-Oncology including:
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- Washington University
- Yale
- Vanderbilt
- Memorial Sloan Kettering
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
- NCI/NIH
Much of the data above is available from the AAMC Charting the Outcomes report.
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