Family Doctor Salary: State-by-State Guide and Similar Jobs | Indeed.com
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Family Doctor Salary: State-by-State Guide and Similar Jobs

Updated March 16, 2023

A health care professional sits on a stool while talking to a young patient sitting on a medical exam table as an adult looks on. The professional in light green scrubs has a stethoscope and a medical file.Working as a family doctor, which some facilities call a family medicine physician, can be a lucrative and fulfilling career in health care that can allow you to develop your skills or help you pursue a specialty. Different states often pay people in this role varying amounts, so it's important to understand what your earning potential might be if you're pursuing a family doctor position. Learning more about how much you can earn in each state can allow you to make a more informed decision during your next job search.In this article, we explain what the average family doctor salary is, provide a breakdown of what they make in each state, describe what people in this role do, detail what education they often have and list some jobs similar to a family doctor.

Average family doctor salary

Family doctors earn a national average salary of $290,116 per year. One of the most significant factors that can affect this figure is work experience. For example, doctors with less than a year of experience earn an average of $168,383 per year, while those with 10 or more years in the field earn $461,563 per year. The doctor's specialization also can have a major impact on their salary, and some specialties that have an above-average salary include radiology, urgent care, geriatrics and occupational medicine.Other elements that can affect a family doctor's salary include their location, education and employer type. These medical experts also commonly receive workplace benefits from their employer, including:
  • 401(k) matching
  • AD&D insurance
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health savings account
  • License reimbursement
  • Loan repayment program
  • Malpractice insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Profit sharing
  • Relocation assistance
  • Travel reimbursement
  • Wellness program
Related: 31 Doctor Specialties and Their Salaries (With Job Duties)

Family doctor salaries by state

Here's a breakdown of how much family doctors make on average in each state. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, visit indeed.com/salaries.Related: What Is a Doctor? Definition, Types and How To Become One

What is a family doctor?

Family doctors are primary care physicians who diagnose various illnesses or ailments for people of any age. A family doctor can perform well visits and health screenings and offer counseling for lifestyle changes that relate to a patient's health. They can treat the whole patient, as opposed to a specialist who treats specific illnesses or parts of the body. This means they have the knowledge and training to treat physical, mental or emotional issues a person has, and they can diagnose and treat chronic or acute illnesses.As their title suggests, they often work with everyone in a family, such as parents and their children. This allows them to form personal relationships with their patients, which helps them provide better care and diagnose issues more effectively. If a disease or ailment is outside of their expertise, they can refer patients to a medical specialist.Related: FAQ: What Are the Typical Family Physician Work Hours?

What education do family doctors have?

Although requirements may vary based on their employer or the type of medical facility they work in, family doctors often take and pass a test from the American Board of Medical Specialties for a doctor of medicine degree or the American Osteopathic Association for a doctor of osteopathy degree. Either of these designations allows them to practice family medicine. Before taking this test, they often complete these educational steps:
  • Earn a bachelor's degree. To get into medical school to become a family doctor, candidates first earn a bachelor's degree that includes pre-medical courses, including biology, physics and chemistry. If they're interested in operating a practice, aspiring family doctors also might take business classes, such as management, marketing, accounting and business law.
  • Pass the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). After completing a bachelor's degree, aspiring doctors take the Medical College Admissions Test to apply to medical school. This test is one of the entry requirements for medical school, along with school transcripts, resumes, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation and personal statements or essays.
  • Graduate from medical school. Doctoral candidates attend medical school for about four years, which includes two years of classroom and lab instruction and two years of clinical rotations. During clinical rotations, students examine and treat real patients under the supervision of licensed doctors, which allows them to learn about different specialties and gain experience that helps them determine what type of medicine to practice.
  • Complete a residency. After graduating from medical school, family doctor candidates do three years of residency in which they diagnose and treat patients under the observation of a licensed family doctor. Family medicine residencies focus on broad areas such as pediatrics, critical care, cardiology, dermatology and sports medicine, and doctors can continue learning through various seminars and conferences during this time.
Related: How Many Years Does It Take To Become a Doctor?
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Jobs similar to a family doctor

Here are some other medical careers that share similarities with a family doctor you might consider during a job search. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, visit indeed.com/salaries.
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