CAREER SNAPSHOT
Summary
Physicians examine and diagnose patients with illnesses or injuries, and provide the appropriate and necessary treatment.
Career Level
Salary
National average, per year
$208,000
JOB OPENINGS
Current national estimate
460,594
DEMAND OUTLOOK
Actual salaries can vary substantially based on region, job description and employer expectations; does not include additional compensation. Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticcs.
By Raising Careers Staff | Updated: May 2019
OVERVIEW
Physician
Becoming a physician requires a big commitment in time, money and education. The result, however, can be a very rewarding career. Physicians enjoy the benefits of an excellent salary, job stability and personal satisfaction.
Some physicians may choose to be general practitioners or family physicians, where they do not specialize in just one area of expertise and can diagnose and treat general illnesses. Other physicians choose to specialize in a specific area such as gastroenterology or oncology. Regardless of what they choose, physicians are able to positively impact patients every day.
Physician Job Responsibilities
Physicians may perform the following job duties. Actual duties may vary by job and location.
- Diagnose and treat illnesses and diseases
- Provide preventative care
- Review patient’s medical history, medications and symptoms
- Prescribe medications
- Educate patients on their medical conditions
- Manage healthcare teams
- Make hospital rounds
- Maintain accurate and detailed patient records
Physician Salary
The actual salary of the physician can vary substantially depending on region, job description and employer expectations. Most recent data shown.
National average per year: $208,000*
National average per hour: $100.00*
- $189,373 per year, $91.05 per hour**
- $141,716 per year, $68.13 per hour***
- $175,738 to $227,072 per year****
- $204,967 per year, $98.54 per hour*****
* Bureau of Labor Statics
** Indeed.com
*** Payscale.com
**** Salary.com
***** Glassdoor.com
Physician Career Pros and Cons
What are the ups and downs of being a physician? Here are a few items to keep in mind.
Pros
- Job stability
- Great salary
- Variety of career opportunities
- Personal satisfaction
- Positively impact patients every day
Cons
- Extensive education and training
- Potentially high educational debt
- Long and often irregular work hours
- High stress levels
- Risk for lawsuits
- Many rules and regulations to follow
CAREER PATH AND TRAINING
How Do I Become a Physician?
If you are considering a career as a physician, here are the steps you will need to complete.
- Earn your high school diploma.
- Complete 4 years of undergraduate study to earn a bachelor’s degree.
- Take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).
- Complete 4 years of medical school to earn a medical degree.
- Complete 4+ years of residency training in your chosen specialty.
- Pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) to become licensed to practice.
Suggested Career Path
A physician is at the end of the medical career pathway. A sample career path could look like this:
Certified Nursing Asssistant (CNA) > Registered Nurse (RN) > Physician
Typical Minimum Education
Actual requirements may vary by state. Please check with your state government.
- High school diploma
- 4 years of undergraduate study (Bachelor’s degree)
- 4 years of medical school (Medical degree)
- 4+ years of residency training
- Passing of United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
Typical Work Experience Required
Experience obtained during residency.
Typical Skills Required
Common skills listed. Actual skills required may vary by location.
- Compassion/Empathy
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
- Excellent critical analysis skills
- Ability to collaborate and work well with a team
- Ability to explain complex information in simple terms
- Excellent organizational skills
- Patience
- Professionalism
- Resilience
Physician Certifications
Although not required, it is highly recommended that physicians become board certified through the American Board of Physician Specialties.
Physician Licenses
All states require physicians to be licensed. This includes passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Visit your state board to learn about other licensing requirements.
Physician Training and Preparation
After completion of a specialty residency program, the physician must pass the USMLE exam in order to practice. This is one of the requirements in obtaining state licensure. This is a very difficult exam and proper preparation is the key to success.
The USMLE website offers detailed exam information and practice questions and tests to help you prepare. There are many online and traditional classroom review courses available. Online tutoring, question banks and online practice exams are other useful tools.
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