How much money does a primary care physician (PCP) make per year? Primary care physicians work with the general population to prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide range of diseases and injuries. These individuals are your “first line of defense” when it comes to health issues. In this article and video, you’ll learn the job overview, education requirements, and salary information for a PCP. The salary information specifically pertains to family and general practitioners.
PCP Job Overview
Primary care physicians provide many healthcare services to the general population. Here are some of the tasks they will do on the job:
- Perform physical examinations
- Examine and interpret various healthcare reports such as blood work, EKGs, and X-rays
- Perform minor surgeries
- Treat minor injuries
- Prescribe medications
- Offer referrals for injuries or diseases that require a specialist
- Provide and maintain immunizations
- Suggest and order preventative screenings
- and more.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts about an 18-20% growth rate for physicians in general. However, many studies suggest there could be a shortage of PCPs within the next decade. So there is definitely a demand for this profession in the future.
Primary Care Physician Education Requirements
To become a primary care physician (such as a family or general practitioner), it generally takes the following education:
- A bachelor’s degree (takes about 4 years)
- Medical school (takes about 4 years)
- Residency requirements (3-8 years for various doctors, but only about 3 years for PCPs)
Once all of the education requirements are met, individuals must then pass state licensing exams and pass written and practical exams.
Primary Care Physician Salary Information
According the Bureau of Labor Statistics (in 2014), PCPs earned an average hourly wage of $89.58, and a yearly salary of $186,320.
Here are some additional salary statistics based on industry and location:
| Employment | Employment RSE | Mean hourly wage | Mean annual wage | Wage RSE |
| 124,810 | 2.1 % | $89.58 | $186,320 | 1.0 % |
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) | 75% | 90% |
| Hourly Wage | $34.71 | $63.27 | $86.63 | n/a | n/a |
| Annual Wage | $72,190 | $131,600 | $180,180 | n/a | n/a |
Industries with the Highest Levels of Employment in this Occupation:
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Offices of Physicians | 82,980 | 3.38 | $92.87 | $193,170 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 22,730 | 0.43 | $84.96 | $176,720 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 6,850 | 0.98 | $93.32 | $194,110 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 4,020 | 0.14 | $47.74 | $99,300 |
| Local Government (OES Designation) | 1,690 | 0.03 | $81.27 | $169,030 |
Top Paying Industries for this Occupation:
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | 180 | 0.07 | $110.60 | $230,050 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 560 | 0.03 | $107.39 | $223,380 |
| Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities | 40 | 0.01 | $102.01 | $212,190 |
| Employment Services | n/a | n/a | $98.91 | $205,720 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 6,850 | 0.98 | $93.32 | $194,110 |
Top Paying States for this Occupation:
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Hawaii | 1,000 | 1.63 | 1.76 | $111.11 | $231,110 |
| Alaska | 510 | 1.56 | 1.69 | $109.78 | $228,340 |
| Georgia | 1,710 | 0.43 | 0.46 | $107.55 | $223,710 |
| Nebraska | 1,120 | 1.19 | 1.28 | $106.96 | $222,480 |
| Kansas | 1,140 | 0.84 | 0.91 | $106.77 | $222,090 |
Lowest Paying States:
| Oklahoma | 65.86 | 136,990 |
| Vermont | 70.71 | 147,070 |
| Missouri | 71.84 | 149,430 |
Primary Care Physician Salary by State:
| Area name | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage | Annual median wage |
| Alabama | 89.73 | 186,640 | 176,110 |
| Alaska | 109.78 | 228,340 | At least 187,199 |
| Arizona | 82.68 | 171,980 | 162,910 |
| Arkansas | 97.17 | 202,110 | At least 187,199 |
| California | 95.27 | 198,160 | At least 187,199 |
| Colorado | 89.75 | 186,690 | 179,790 |
| Connecticut | 85.53 | 177,910 | 176,530 |
| Delaware | 75.47 | 156,980 | 151,220 |
| District of Columbia | 92.59 | 192,590 | 183,630 |
| Florida | 93.29 | 194,040 | At least 187,199 |
| Georgia | 107.55 | 223,710 | At least 187,199 |
| Guam | 82.20 | 170,980 | 155,480 |
| Hawaii | 111.11 | 231,110 | At least 187,199 |
| Idaho | 90.61 | 188,470 | At least 187,199 |
| Illinois | 78.31 | 162,890 | 159,170 |
| Indiana | 84.67 | 176,120 | 171,120 |
| Iowa | 104.55 | 217,460 | At least 187,199 |
| Kansas | 106.77 | 222,090 | At least 187,199 |
| Kentucky | 87.41 | 181,810 | 170,130 |
| Louisiana | 87.88 | 182,790 | 170,180 |
| Maine | 81.51 | 169,550 | 166,240 |
| Maryland | 82.44 | 171,480 | 166,090 |
| Massachusetts | 100.51 | 209,050 | At least 187,199 |
| Michigan | 87.30 | 181,590 | 179,380 |
| Minnesota | 87.99 | 183,010 | 175,780 |
| Mississippi | 98.73 | 205,360 | At least 187,199 |
| Missouri | 71.84 | 149,430 | 149,320 |
| Montana | 92.18 | 191,730 | 179,650 |
| Nebraska | 106.96 | 222,480 | At least 187,199 |
| Nevada | 76.09 | 158,270 | 159,710 |
| New Hampshire | 99.25 | 206,440 | At least 187,199 |
| New Jersey | 78.06 | 162,360 | 142,860 |
| New Mexico | 83.03 | 172,700 | 153,610 |
| New York | 89.97 | 187,140 | 176,580 |
| North Carolina | 96.49 | 200,710 | At least 187,199 |
| North Dakota | 83.46 | 173,590 | 168,510 |
| Ohio | 88.68 | 184,450 | 175,970 |
| Oklahoma | 65.86 | 136,990 | 77,810 |
| Oregon | 87.93 | 182,880 | 174,380 |
| Pennsylvania | 91.57 | 190,470 | 184,070 |
| Puerto Rico | 34.23 | 71,200 | 64,800 |
| Rhode Island | 93.17 | 193,800 | 185,330 |
| South Carolina | 88.88 | 184,860 | 180,350 |
| South Dakota | 97.75 | 203,320 | At least 187,199 |
| Tennessee | 80.47 | 167,370 | 158,890 |
| Texas | 94.41 | 196,380 | At least 187,199 |
| Utah | 92.04 | 191,440 | 181,430 |
| Vermont | 70.71 | 147,070 | 142,100 |
| Virginia | 85.64 | 178,130 | 167,080 |
| Washington | 91.63 | 190,600 | 182,140 |
| West Virginia | 83.21 | 173,080 | 167,400 |
| Wisconsin | 95.25 | 198,120 | At least 187,199 |
| Wyoming | 79.59 | 165,550 | 168,230 |
References:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Family and General Practitioners, on the Internet at bls.gov.