Preventive Medicine Physicians

SOC code 29-1229 · O*NET-SOC 29-1229.05 · Extensive preparation needed · Healthcare

Preventive Medicine Physicians pay

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

Median pay

$265,930

a year

Hourly

$127.85

per hour

10th$69,170Median$265,93090th$452,360

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

Average pay

$262,040

$125.98 per hour

Middle 50%

$102,930 – $378,770

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$69,170 – $452,360

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

342,720

nationwide

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

These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Physicians, All Other”, not this job alone.

10th percentile: $69,170; $33.26/hr
25th percentile: $102,930; $49.48/hr
Median percentile: $265,930; $127.85/hr
75th percentile: $378,770; $182.10/hr
90th percentile: $452,360; $217.48/hr

What does a preventive medicine physician do?

Apply knowledge of general preventive medicine and public health issues to promote health care to groups or individuals, and aid in the prevention or reduction of risk of disease, injury, disability, or death. May practice population-based medicine or diagnose and treat patients in the context of clinical health promotion and disease prevention.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Direct or manage prevention programs in specialty areas such as aerospace, occupational, infectious disease, and environmental medicine.
Document or review comprehensive patients' histories with an emphasis on occupation or environmental risks.
Identify groups at risk for specific preventable diseases or injuries.
Perform epidemiological investigations of acute and chronic diseases.
Supervise or coordinate the work of physicians, nurses, statisticians, or other professional staff members.
Design or use surveillance tools, such as screening, lab reports, and vital records, to identify health risks.
Direct public health education programs dealing with topics such as preventable diseases, injuries, nutrition, food service sanitation, water supply safety, sewage and waste disposal, insect control, and immunizations.
Evaluate the effectiveness of prescribed risk reduction measures or other interventions.

How to become a preventive medicine physician

Most people in this role hold post-doctoral training — 74% 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 Training74%
Doctoral Degree26%

Common questions

How much does a preventive medicine physician earn?

The national median is $265,930 a year. The full range runs from $69,170 at the 10th percentile to $452,360 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 preventive 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 Comprehension4.4/5
Active Listening4.3/5
Speaking4.3/5
Critical Thinking4.3/5
Writing4.1/5
Monitoring4.1/5
Active Learning4.0/5

Knowledge areas

Medicine and Dentistry4.7/5
Biology4.4/5
English Language4.3/5
Education and Training4.0/5
Public Safety and Security3.9/5
Psychology3.8/5
Law and Government3.8/5
Administration and Management3.6/5

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