Career change to doctor
Physicians and surgeons in O*NET 31.0 with full data. Together they employ 403,720 people (BLS, May 2025). Below: what you need to get in, pay, and similar careers with a different path.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0, BLS OEWS May 2025 and BLS CPS 2025 · How we match careers
- Median pay, Family Medicine Physicians
- $244,180
- Usual preparation
- A graduate degree
- Workers 45 or older
- 52%
- Careers on this page
- 12
What you need to get in
Education (Family Medicine Physicians)
- 59% of workers say the job requires doctoral degree
- 29% of workers say the job requires post-doctoral training
- 10% of workers say the job requires master's degree
Usual preparation: A graduate degree (O*NET 31.0 Job Zone). Most common on-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Licenses and requirements
Physicians and surgeons typically need a bachelor's degree and a degree from a medical school, which takes an additional 4 years, followed by a residency that typically lasts from 3 to 9 years depending on the specialty. All states require physicians and surgeons to be licensed; licensure includes passing standardized national exams.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons
The careers on this page
| Career | Median pay | U.S. jobs | Usual preparation | Workers 45+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Medicine Physicians | $244,180 | 107,510 | A graduate degree | 52% |
| General Internal Medicine Physicians | $256,560 | 67,150 | A graduate degree | 52% |
| Pediatricians, General | $210,040 | 39,390 | A graduate degree | 52% |
| Anesthesiologists | $391,490 | 38,760 | A graduate degree | 52% |
| Emergency Medicine Physicians | $335,550 | 32,880 | A graduate degree | — |
| Psychiatrists | $281,870 | 27,980 | A graduate degree | 52% |
| Radiologists | $420,860 | 26,770 | A graduate degree | — |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $292,910 | 21,260 | A graduate degree | 52% |
| Dermatologists | $328,730 | 11,370 | A graduate degree | 52% |
| Physicians, Pathologists | $312,400 | 11,110 | A graduate degree | 52% |
| Neurologists | $248,560 | 10,590 | A graduate degree | 52% |
| Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $300,080 | 8,950 | A graduate degree | 47% |
Similar careers to consider
The careers most like family medicine physicians by skills and daily work (O*NET 31.0).
Check your own job
Free help near you
Questions about switching to doctor
What education do you need for doctor?
Family Medicine Physicians: 59% of workers report doctoral degree as required; 29% of workers report post-doctoral training as required; 10% of workers report master's degree as required (O*NET 31.0). Usual preparation: A graduate degree.
Is it too late to switch to doctor at 40?
52% of family medicine physicians are 45 or older and their median age is 45.6 (BLS Current Population Survey, 2025, broader occupation group).
How much do family medicine physicians make?
The national median is $244,180 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). Highest-paying states: Rhode Island ($467,160), Oklahoma ($361,350), Idaho ($347,160).