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Career Profile

Family Medicine Physicians

What they do:

Diagnose, treat, and provide preventive care to individuals and families across the lifespan. May refer patients to specialists when needed for further diagnosis or treatment.

Also Called:

Board Certified Family Physician, Family Medicine Physician, Family Physician, Family Practice Medical Doctor (FP MD), Family Practice Physician (FP Physician), Family Practitioner, Medical Doctor (MD), Medical Staff Physician, Physician, Primary Care Physician, Board Certified Family Physician, Family Medicine Physician, Family Physician, Family Practice Medical Doctor (FP MD), Family Practice Physician (FP Physician), Family Practitioner, Medical Doctor (MD), Medical Staff Physician, Physician, Primary Care Physician

Job Data & Employment

*National data provided by O*NET & BLS
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$76,830
Starting Salary (2025)
$244,180
Median Salary (2025)
2.7%
Projected Job Growth
107,510
Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical history, reports, or examination results.
Refer patients to medical specialists or other practitioners when necessary.
Advise patients and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention.
Monitor patients' conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.
Order, perform, and interpret tests and analyze records, reports, and examination information to diagnose patients' condition.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Social
Working with people
Investigative
Studying, Research based work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Attention to Detail
Dependability
Analytical Thinking
Achievement/Effort
Concern for Others
Integrity

What key skills are needed for this job?

Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Speaking
Active Learning

Expected Knowledge

Medicine and Dentistry

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Therapy and Counseling

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Common Activities

Assisting and Caring for Others

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 5

Extensive Preparation Needed

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • Doctoral degree 59%
  • Post-doctoral training 29%
  • Master's degree 9%
  • Bachelor's degree 2%
  • Some college 0%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.