💵 Annual Salary Range (USA, 2025)
Based on recent national data:
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Minimum (Entry-Level): ~$180,000 (younger physicians or rural hires)
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Average/Median:
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~$232,700 (Salary.com)
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~$240,000 (AMN Health report)
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Maximum / Top Earners:
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Up to $310,000 - $326,000+ in high-cost metros or private practices
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75th percentile ~ $267,050/hourly ~ $128/hr
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Earning growth by experience:
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Entry (0–3 yrs): ~$160k - $200k
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Mid-career (4–9 yrs): $220k - $300k
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Senior (10+ yrs): $300k - $450k+ with leadership or administrative roles
🩺 What They Do
Family Medicine Physicians (aka Family Doctors or Primary Care Physicians) provide comprehensive, continuous care for patients of all ages. They manage acute illnesses, chronic conditions, preventive health, and coordinate care with specialists. Their day-to-day may include:
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Physical exams, immunizations, wellness check-ups
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Diagnosing and treating common conditions (e.g., infections, hypertension, diabetes)
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Managing chronic diseases
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Addressing mental health issues and counseling
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Prenatal care and minor procedures
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Referrals to specialists and coordinating complex care
They serve as the first point of contact in healthcare, often building long-term patient relationships.
🎓 Education Required
Path to becoming a Family Medicine Physician typically includes:
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Bachelor’s Degree (4 years, pre-med track)
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Medical School (MD or DO; 4 years)
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Residency in Family Medicine (3 years) — essential clinical training
Total training duration: ~11 years post–high school
📜 Certification
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Board certification through the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) — requires passing the ABFM exam after residency
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Maintenance of Certification (MOC): Ongoing CME, self-assessment, and periodic recertification
🏛️ Licensing
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Must pass USMLE (MD) or COMLEX-USA (DO) – Steps 1–3, required for state licensure
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Obtain and maintain a state medical license to legally practice
📈 Career Outlook & Trends
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Job growth steady (~4–10%) with high demand driven by primary care shortages
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Telemedicine, urgent care, and rural health roles continue expanding, often with loan forgiveness and sign-on bonuses
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Work-life balance can be better than specialty tracks, with flexible scheduling and variety in daily tasks
✅ Final Overview
| ✅ Category | ✔ Summary |
|---|---|
| Role | Provide holistic, lifelong care across all ages |
| Salary Range | $180k start – $240k avg – $310k+ top end |
| Training | 11 years (college → med school → residency) |
| Certification | ABFM board certification + MOC |
| Licensing | USMLE/COMLEX + state medical license |
Family Medicine is a fulfilling, stable, and well-paid career with strong community impact and opportunities for leadership and variety. It remains the cornerstone of U.S. primary healthcare.