How much does a general doctor make?

In the U.S., pay can vary with experience and credentials, location, and the setting, such as a private office, hospital, or teaching hospital. Full-time or part-time hours, on-call duties, and extra training in a subspecialty can also make a difference.

Diagnose and provide nonsurgical treatment for a wide range of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems. Provide care mainly for adults and adolescents, and are based primarily in an outpatient care setting. Excludes “Family Medicine Physicians” (29-1215) and “Pediatricians, General” (29-1221).

What's a typical day like?

General doctors see mostly adults in offices or hospitals, checking symptoms and test results to find the problem. They explain treatments, manage long-term illnesses, encourage prevention, and refer patients to specialists when needed.

In the U.S., earn a bachelor’s degree, complete four years of medical school, pass licensing exams, and get a state medical license. Then finish a three-year internal medicine residency; many doctors begin in their late 20s.

Graduate degree or long training (preparation level 5 of 5)

Good for people who like figuring things out and helping and teaching.

In the U.S., more than 90% of hospitalists—doctors who care for people in the hospital—are general internal medicine doctors.