Internal medicine physician salary
Internal medicine physicians in the U.S. earned an average of $267,200 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. About 11 years after high school: 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school and 3 years of residency.
- Average pay$267,200a year, May 2025
- Past year+1.7%+5.9% a year since 2022
- Middle half earns$124k–$375k25th to 75th percentile
- Rank#15of 24 careers; 67,150 jobs
Pay since 2022
General internists only. Specialists such as gastroenterologists, oncologists and lung doctors are counted in a separate group that is not shown here, and cardiologists have their own page.
| 2025 | $267,200 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $262,710 |
| 2023 | $245,450 |
| 2022 | $225,270 |
| 10th percentile | $73,570 |
|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $124,470 |
| Median | $256,560 |
| 75th percentile | $374,850 |
| 90th percentile | $475,430 |
The path to becoming one
About 11 years after high school: 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school and 3 years of residency.
- College4 years - Bachelor's degree
- Medical school4 years - MD or DO degree
- Residency3 years - Internal medicine residency
How it compares
| Career | Average pay | Training after high school |
|---|---|---|
| Pediatric Surgeons | $502,050 | 15 years |
| Cardiologists | $454,940 | 14 years |
| Radiologists | $381,530 | 13 years |
| Surgeons | $373,930 | 13 years |
| Orthopedic Surgeons | $373,570 | 13 years |
| Anesthesiologists | $360,570 | 12 years |
| Oral Surgeons | $346,490 | 12 years |
| Dermatologists | $323,530 | 12 years |
| Emergency Medicine Physicians | $317,480 | 11 years |
| Ophthalmologists | $304,650 | 12 years |
| Pathologists | $285,420 | 12 years |
| OB/GYNs | $279,040 | 12 years |
| Psychiatrists | $269,940 | 12 years |
| Neurologists | $267,630 | 12 years |
| Internal Medicine Physicians | $267,200 | 11 years |
| Family Medicine Physicians | $255,820 | 11 years |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $248,320 | 8 years |
| Pediatricians | $212,110 | 11 years |
| Dentists | $191,350 | 8 years |
| Physician Assistants | $141,280 | 6¼ years |
| Pharmacists | $140,920 | 6 years |
| Nurse Practitioners | $137,300 | 6 years |
| Medical Scientists | $116,840 | 13 years |
| Registered Nurses | $101,420 | 4 years |
Questions
How much does an internal medicine physician make?
An average of $267,200 a year in May 2025, for internal medicine physicians employed in the U.S. (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Half of them earned more than $256,560 and half less.
How long does it take to become an internal medicine physician?
About 11 years after high school: 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school and 3 years of residency.
Why do other salary reports show higher numbers?
Reports such as Doximity's or Medscape's survey doctors directly and include self-employed doctors and more of their bonuses and profit-sharing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics counts employees only - including doctors still in residency training - and leaves some of those payments out, so its averages run lower. Its figures are the public, government numbers, updated every spring.
What does the internal medicine physician figure include?
General internists only. Specialists such as gastroenterologists, oncologists and lung doctors are counted in a separate group that is not shown here, and cardiologists have their own page.
Sources and method
Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, General Internal Medicine Physicians (SOC 29-1216), mean yearly wage of employees, May 2025. Training: program length sources. Last checked 2026-09-23. Educational estimates, not financial advice; pay varies by place, employer and experience. About this data.
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