Key Findings
- The national median salary for family medicine physicians is $257,865 per year, while the highest-paying state, Rhode Island, reports $467,160, a premium of more than 81% above the national median.
- Family medicine physician pay increased 19.4% year over year compared with 2024, making it one of the strongest compensation gains among physician occupations.
- The gap between the highest-paying state (Rhode Island, $467,160) and the lowest-paying state (Alabama, $134,550) is $332,610 annually, highlighting the significant impact of geography on earnings.
National Salary Overview
According to BLS OES 2024 data, family medicine physicians earn a national median salary of $257,865 per year, equivalent to approximately $124 per hour.
The occupation maintains a wide compensation range. Physicians at the 10th percentile earn $213,600, while those at the 90th percentile earn $467,160. The middle 50% of earners fall between $215,420 and $467,160, reflecting substantial variation across locations, employer types, and practice arrangements.
National median salary: $257,865 per year ($124/hour)
Key national compensation metrics:
- Median salary: $257,865
- Median hourly wage: $124
- 10th percentile salary: $213,600
- 25th percentile salary: $215,420
- 75th percentile salary: $467,160
- 90th percentile salary: $467,160
- Total employed nationwide: 72,880
- Year-over-year change: +19.4%
With nearly 73,000 physicians employed nationwide, family medicine remains one of the largest physician specialties in the United States. Compensation varies considerably by state, often reflecting physician supply shortages, rural healthcare demand, reimbursement structures, and local cost-of-living dynamics.
For additional compensation benchmarks, see our Family Medicine Physician salary data.
State-by-State Breakdown
Highest-Paying States for Family Medicine Physicians
1. Rhode Island — $467,160
Rhode Island ranks first nationally with a reported salary of $467,160. The state's relatively small physician workforce, concentration of major healthcare systems, and ongoing demand for primary care providers contribute to elevated compensation levels. At this salary level, physicians earn more than $209,000 above the national median.
2. Oklahoma — $361,350
Oklahoma reports average compensation of $361,350, exceeding the national median by roughly 40%. Persistent physician shortages across many rural communities have increased recruiting pressure, leading healthcare organizations to offer higher salaries and incentive packages.
3. Idaho — $347,160
Family medicine physicians in Idaho earn $347,160. Rapid population growth, particularly in metropolitan and suburban regions, has increased demand for primary care services. Supply constraints have helped push compensation well above the national benchmark.
4. Montana — $330,760
Montana's reported salary of $330,760 reflects the challenges of providing healthcare across a large geographic area with dispersed populations. Rural physician recruitment remains a major issue, and compensation often serves as a key retention tool.
5. Alaska — $323,490
Alaska rounds out the top five at $323,490. Geographic isolation, workforce shortages, travel requirements, and higher operating costs all contribute to elevated physician compensation. While the state's cost of living is above average, salaries remain substantially higher than the national median.
Highest-Paying States Summary
| Rank | State | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $467,160 |
| 2 | Oklahoma | $361,350 |
| 3 | Idaho | $347,160 |
| 4 | Montana | $330,760 |
| 5 | Alaska | $323,490 |
Lowest-Paying States for Family Medicine Physicians
Compensation can vary dramatically across states. The following markets report the lowest salary levels in the dataset.
| Rank | State | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | $134,550 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $163,930 |
| 3 | Missouri | $171,180 |
Alabama's reported salary of $134,550 is approximately 48% below the national median. Connecticut and Missouri also fall significantly below national compensation levels.
Two additional states sit near the bottom of the pay distribution:
- New York: $210,920
- Michigan: $214,070
The appearance of New York among the lowest-paying states may seem counterintuitive given its high living costs. However, physician compensation is influenced by numerous factors beyond cost of living, including payer mix, market competition, healthcare system structure, and physician supply.
Salary by Experience Level
Experience remains one of the strongest predictors of physician earnings.
While BLS state data focuses on occupational compensation rather than career stages, national percentile data provides useful benchmarks for estimating compensation progression.
Entry-Level Family Medicine Physicians
Entry-level physicians typically earn compensation near the lower end of the national range.
Estimated range:
- Approximately $213,600 to $215,420
Physicians at this stage are often completing residency transitions, building patient panels, and establishing productivity levels within healthcare systems.
Mid-Career Family Medicine Physicians
Mid-career physicians generally earn around the national median.
Estimated range:
- Approximately $257,865 and above
Compensation growth during this phase is driven by:
- Larger patient panels
- Increased productivity
- Leadership responsibilities
- Quality incentive payments
- Value-based care bonuses
Senior and High-Earning Physicians
Experienced physicians frequently reach the upper end of the compensation distribution.
Estimated range:
- Up to $467,160
Senior physicians often benefit from:
- Established patient relationships
- Administrative leadership positions
- Ownership interests in practices
- Specialized procedural expertise
- Long-term productivity performance
The difference between the national median salary and the 90th percentile salary exceeds $209,000 annually, illustrating the financial impact of experience and practice structure.
Factors That Move the Needle
Several variables can influence family medicine physician compensation beyond state location.
Geographic Location
Location remains the single largest compensation factor.
A physician practicing in Rhode Island at the reported salary level of $467,160 earns approximately $332,610 more annually than a physician in Alabama earning $134,550.
Healthcare organizations in underserved regions often use compensation to attract physicians when lifestyle, population density, or geographic isolation create recruiting challenges.
Rural vs. Metropolitan Practice
Rural markets frequently pay more than urban markets.
The reason is straightforward: physician shortages are generally more severe in rural communities. Healthcare systems often increase base salaries, signing bonuses, loan repayment assistance, and retention incentives to fill positions.
In states such as Montana, Idaho, Oklahoma, and Alaska, rural demand contributes significantly to elevated compensation levels.
Employer Type
Compensation structures vary across employer categories.
Common employers include:
- Integrated healthcare systems
- Hospitals
- Physician groups
- Academic medical centers
- Government healthcare facilities
Large health systems often provide stable compensation and comprehensive benefits, while physician-owned practices may offer greater long-term upside through productivity incentives or ownership distributions.
Additional Certifications and Skills
Board certification is generally expected in family medicine, but additional expertise can improve earnings.
Examples include:
- Sports medicine
- Geriatric medicine
- Addiction medicine
- Palliative care
- Population health leadership
Physicians who perform additional procedures or assume medical director responsibilities frequently earn compensation above specialty medians.
Supply and Demand Dynamics
Markets with physician shortages tend to pay more.
States appearing in the top salary rankings often share similar characteristics:
- Limited physician supply
- Growing populations
- Rural healthcare access challenges
- Difficulty recruiting specialists and primary care providers
These labor market conditions create upward pressure on compensation.
Year-Over-Year Trend
Family medicine physician compensation increased 19.4% year over year compared with 2024.
That rate of growth significantly exceeds typical annual wage increases across many occupations.
Several factors likely contributed to the increase:
- Continued physician shortages
- Growing demand for primary care services
- Population aging trends
- Increased competition among healthcare systems
- Expanded focus on preventive and longitudinal care
A nearly 20% increase in a single year suggests employers continue to face recruiting and retention challenges in many regions.
For physicians evaluating relocation opportunities, the current environment remains favorable. Organizations in underserved markets continue to use compensation as a primary recruiting tool.
Methodology
Data sourced from BLS OES 2024 occupational employment and wage estimates for Family Medicine Physicians. State salary figures represent reported state-level compensation estimates. National salary percentiles, median wages, employment totals, and year-over-year changes are based on the published BLS dataset provided for this analysis. State comparisons should be evaluated alongside cost-of-living differences, healthcare market structure, and physician supply conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average family medicine physician salary by state?
Family medicine physician salaries vary significantly by state. Rhode Island leads the nation at $467,160, while Alabama reports $134,550. The national median salary is $257,865, meaning location can increase or decrease earnings by well over $100,000 annually.
Which state pays family medicine physicians the most?
Rhode Island ranks first with a reported salary of $467,160. This is approximately 81% higher than the national median salary of $257,865.
Which states pay the least for family medicine physicians?
The three lowest-paying states in the dataset are:
- Alabama: $134,550
- Connecticut: $163,930
- Missouri: $171,180
Additional low-paying states include New York at $210,920 and Michigan at $214,070.
Does cost of living explain salary differences?
Only partially. Cost of living influences compensation, but physician supply shortages often have a larger impact. States such as Oklahoma, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska report salaries far above the national median because recruiting physicians remains difficult in many regions.
Is family medicine a growing specialty?
Compensation data suggests strong demand. Salaries increased 19.4% year over year, indicating employers continue competing aggressively for qualified physicians. Combined with a nationwide workforce of 72,880 employed physicians, the specialty remains a foundational component of the healthcare system.