General Internal Medicine Physicians

SOC code 29-1216 · O*NET-SOC 29-1216.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Healthcare

General Internal Medicine Physicians pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$256,560

a year

Hourly

$123.35

per hour

10th$73,570Median$256,56090th$475,430

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$267,200

$128.46 per hour

Middle 50%

$124,470 – $374,850

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$73,570 – $475,430

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

67,150

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $73,570; $35.37/hr
25th percentile: $124,470; $59.84/hr
Median percentile: $256,560; $123.35/hr
75th percentile: $374,850; $180.22/hr
90th percentile: $475,430; $228.57/hr

What does a general internal medicine physician do?

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.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Analyze records, reports, test results, or examination information to diagnose medical condition of patient.
Treat internal disorders, such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, or problems of the lung, brain, kidney, or gastrointestinal tract.
Prescribe or administer medication, therapy, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury.
Manage and treat common health problems, such as infections, influenza or pneumonia, as well as serious, chronic, and complex illnesses, in adolescents, adults, and the elderly.
Provide and manage long-term, comprehensive medical care, including diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases, for adult patients in an office or hospital.
Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients.
Advise patients and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention.
Make diagnoses when different illnesses occur together or in situations where the diagnosis may be obscure.

How to become a general internal medicine physician

Most people in this role hold post-doctoral training — 53% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: 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. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
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.

See all zone 5 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Post-Doctoral Training53%
Doctoral Degree47%

Common questions

How much does a general internal medicine physician earn?

The national median is $256,560 a year. The full range runs from $73,570 at the 10th percentile to $475,430 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a general internal medicine physician without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is 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). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension4.1/5
Active Listening4.1/5
Writing4.0/5
Speaking4.0/5
Science4.0/5
Critical Thinking4.0/5
Active Learning3.9/5

Knowledge areas

Medicine and Dentistry4.9/5
Biology4.5/5
Therapy and Counseling4.4/5
Psychology4.3/5
Education and Training4.2/5
English Language4.2/5
Administration and Management3.9/5
Customer and Personal Service3.9/5

Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.