How to become family medicine physicianseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Healthcare Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$244,180
25th–75th pct. $162,420–$334,270
Top pay (est.)
$557,100
Top 10% $428,550
Pay in 5 years
$285,100est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$332,800est.
$286,200–$386,400
Outlook score
61/100
★★★☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
26%
Low
Job growth (10 yr)
+3.3%
2,900 openings / yr

How to become family medicine physicians

Typical education
Doctoral or professional degree
BLS
Related experience
None
On-the-job training
Internship/residency

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Family Medicine Physicians

Key skills

Reading Comprehension
5.0
Active Listening
4.9
Judgment and Decision Making
4.8
Critical Thinking
4.5
Speaking
4.4
Complex Problem Solving
4.2
Writing
4.1
Instructing
4.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Medicine and Dentistry
5.9
Customer and Personal Service
5.7
Biology
5.7
Psychology
5.6
Therapy and Counseling
5.4
English Language
5.2
Education and Training
4.3
Administrative
3.6

What the work involves

Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeAssisting and Caring for OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsGetting InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationAnalyzing Data or Information

Important abilities

Problem SensitivityInductive ReasoningOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression

Education of workers

Post-doctoral training
29%
Master's degree
9%
Bachelor's degree
2%

Training before entry

Up to 1 month
30%
6–12 months
4%

Related work experience

2–4 years
70%
None
17%
4–6 years
9%
1–2 years
3%

Job Zone 5 — extensive preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as family medicine physicians

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.