Doctors Embrace FIRE: Strategies for Early Retirement Amid $216K Debt Load

Doctors are increasingly adopting FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) strategies to navigate late career starts and substantial $216,659 in 2025 average student debt. Residency (3-7 years) begins with a first-year salary of $63,000 and extends the career start to the late 20s or 30s. Experts like Jim Dahle and Chad Chubb emphasize aggressive saving, maintaining a resident-like lifestyle for 2-5 years post-training, and prioritizing debt repayment to build retirement wealth. About 25% of physicians reach their mid-60s with less than $1 million net worth, highlighting the need for early, disciplined saving. These principles apply broadly beyond medicine.