How Much Do Family Doctors Get Paid?
Family doctors may treat a variety of conditions from the flu to wounds, referring patients to specialists to handle certain cases. These physicians help patients of all ages and are often, "...the first point of contact for people seeking healthcare...," according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Because of the intense schooling, training and certification required to become a family doctor, this position pays some of the highest wages among jobs in the United States.
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Salary
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On average, family doctors in the United States earn $168,550 a year as of May 2009. The median salary is $160,530, with those doctors in the bottom ten percent earning $82,630. Hours for a family doctor can be long and irregular; the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2008 that 43 percent of all physicians worked 50 or more hours per week.
Industry
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The majority of family doctors work in their own offices or offices they share with other private practitioners earning an average annual salary of $174,280 as of May 2009. Family doctors may also be found at hospitals, where they are paid less than average at $157,470 annually. Family doctors working for the government see even lower wages; those employed by the local government earn $144,640 a year and those employed by the state government earn $131,010.
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Location
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Cost of living and the demand for family doctors plays a significant role in determine salary. Arkansas offers family doctors the highest average salary at $206,030, followed by Wisconsin at $203,040 and Wyoming at $194,680. Alaska is the state with the highest concentration of family doctors and offers $149,470 annually on average, followed by New Mexico and Hawaii with average annual wages of $176,090 and $154,930 respectively as of May 2009.
Outlook
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job outlook for family doctors is good, with the employment of physicians and surgeons predicted to increase by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018. Family doctors seeking work in rural and low-income areas have the best chances at finding work, though likely not for the highest wages. Family doctors who specialize in an area such as cardiology and radiology may see both higher demand and salaries.
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References
- Photo Credit doctor image by DXfoto.com from Fotolia.com
