Some of these are fellowships not residencies. But I'll bite (as usual, there will be disagreements):
Hours (Least to Most)
Ortho/Nsgy
General Surgery
CT/Vascular/Transplant**
**Transplant may not work MORE hours per week than the above, but given the nature of the work, they often work WORSE hours (ie, organ harvests are often in the middle of the night)
Competitiveness (Least to Most)
General Surgery
Nsgy/Ortho
Fellowship Competitiveness:
CT
Transplant
Vascular
Lifestyle (you can make a life in almost anything, so some of this will depend on practice environment, other specialization, call schedule; best to worst)
Ortho
General Surgery
Vascular
Nsgy/CT
Transplant
The above could change orders considerably. For example, a Vascular surgeon who only does elective vein work and doesn't do any ER call will have an immensely better lifestyle than an Orthopod who takes Trauma/ER call. Pediatric Spine is a pretty good lifestyle; Nsgy trauma is not. General Surgery in a large group with a generous call schedule might be better than most other specialties.
There is just no way to realistically separate out these fields using the artifice you have suggested as there are so many other variables to take into consideration. Frankly, NONE have a great lifestyle while in training and many do not when you are out...it all depends on your job environment.
