Internist
Diagnose and manage illnesses in adults, in clinics and hospitals.
- $256,560
- 11 years after high school
Healthcare career
Family Medicine Physician
Also called: Family Doctor · Primary Care Physician · Family Practitioner · PCP
What family medicine physicians do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a family medicine physician do?
Family medicine physicians diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions for patients of all ages, providing preventive care and managing chronic illness. The median pay is $244,180 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 11 years after high school, and employment is projected to grow +3.3% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$244,180$117.39/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+3.3%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year2,900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationDoctoral or professional degreeBLS classification
- Time to train11 years after high schoolTypical program length
- U.S. jobs114,300Employment, 2025
What family medicine physicians do
Family doctors are the first stop for most health concerns. They care for newborns, children, adults and older patients, perform checkups and screenings, treat infections and injuries, manage diabetes, high blood pressure and depression, do minor procedures and coordinate specialist care. Many build relationships with families over decades.
They complete medical school and a three-year family medicine residency. Primary care physicians are in short supply in many communities, especially rural areas.
Typical duties
- Provide checkups and preventive care
- Diagnose and treat common illnesses
- Manage chronic diseases
- Perform minor procedures
- Order and interpret tests
- Coordinate specialist care
- Counsel on healthy habits
Work environment and schedule
Family physicians work in clinics, community health centers, hospitals and rural practices.
Schedule: Most work weekday clinic hours with some evening, weekend or call responsibilities.
A day in the life
- See a newborn for a first checkup.
- Manage a patient’s diabetes.
- Treat a sinus infection.
- Remove a skin lesion.
See a full day in the life of a family medicine physician →
Family Medicine Physician salary
Half of family medicine physicians earned more than $244,180 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $76,830 for the lowest 10% to $428,550 for the top 10%.
Full family medicine physician pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a family medicine physician
- Earn a bachelor’s degree
- Complete medical school
- Complete family medicine residency
- Pass boards
- Practice
Medical school plus a three-year family medicine residency are required, along with a state license and board certification.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a family medicine physician →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Diagnosis across ages
- Chronic disease management
- Preventive care
- Minor procedures
- Pharmacology
People skills
- Empathy
- Communication
- Patience
- Breadth of judgment
All family medicine physician skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Long-term patient relationships
- Variety of conditions
- High demand
- Good work-life balance options
Cons
- Lower pay than specialists
- Heavy paperwork
- Busy schedules
- Insurance pressures
Certifications and licenses
- ABFM board certification: American Board of Family Medicine.
- State medical license: Required.
- DEA registration: To prescribe controlled substances.
- Sports medicine or geriatrics certificate: Added qualifications.
Career path
- Family Medicine Resident: Train.
- Family Physician: Practice.
- Medical Director: Lead a clinic.
- Practice Owner or Chief Medical Officer: Lead organizations.
Learn the job before day one
Our Family Medicine Physician training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as manage type 2 diabetes and do a well-child visit, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Pediatrician
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Nurse Practitioner
Diagnose, treat and prescribe as an advanced practice registered nurse.
- $132,300
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Physician Assistant
Examine, diagnose and treat patients as part of a physician-led team.
- $135,880
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Compare: Family Doctor vs. Internist · Family Doctor vs. Pediatrician · Family Doctor vs. NP · Family Doctor vs. Physician Assistant
Family Medicine Physician FAQ
How long does it take to become a family doctor?
About 11 years after high school.
Is there a shortage of primary care doctors?
Yes, many areas, especially rural ones, have shortages.
Do family doctors see children?
Yes, they care for all ages.
How much does a family medicine physician make?
The median annual wage for family medicine physicians was $244,180 ($117.39 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $76,830 and the highest 10% earned more than $428,550.
How long does it take to become a family medicine physician?
Most people need about 11 years after high school of training. Medical school plus a three-year family medicine residency are required, along with a state license and board certification.
Do you need a degree to be a family medicine physician?
Yes. BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry-level education, and you also need a state license to practice.
More family medicine physician questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 29-1215 (Family medicine physicians).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Family medicine physicians (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.