How much does a general internal medicine physician make?
The median general internal medicine physician in the United States earns $256,560 per year, about $123.35 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all general internal medicine physicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1216.
General internal medicine physician salary range
Pay for general internal medicine physicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $73,570 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $475,430. The average (mean) wage of $267,200 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $73,570 | $35.37 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $124,470 | $59.84 | |
| Median (50th) | $256,560 | $123.35 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $374,850 | $180.22 | |
| 90th percentile | $475,430 | $228.57 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for general internal medicine physicians (SOC 29-1216), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
General internal medicine physician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. General internal medicine physicians earn the most in Georgia at $425,460 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $72,680. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $425,460 | 5,440 |
| Rhode Island | $379,490 | 300 |
| Minnesota | $373,700 | 2,270 |
| Wisconsin | $367,160 | 1,450 |
| Alaska | $366,080 | 110 |
| South Carolina | $359,500 | 1,260 |
| Idaho | $355,390 | 130 |
| Washington | $340,010 | 1,100 |
| North Dakota | $338,400 | 200 |
| Utah | $331,720 | 210 |
| Mississippi | $325,610 | 390 |
| Maine | $316,880 | 270 |
| Indiana | $314,390 | 2,380 |
| California | $313,890 | 6,370 |
| Alabama | $311,180 | 310 |
| Colorado | $299,990 | 450 |
| North Carolina | $289,780 | 1,700 |
| Massachusetts | $285,250 | 1,590 |
| South Dakota | $280,520 | 160 |
| Texas | $269,110 | 3,850 |
| Oregon | $268,570 | 230 |
| Maryland | $260,410 | 3,250 |
| Arizona | $259,320 | 2,570 |
| Ohio | $249,990 | 1,540 |
| Kentucky | $241,530 | 1,060 |
| Hawaii | $239,200+ | 220 |
| Arkansas | $233,130 | 290 |
| Tennessee | $232,220 | 1,370 |
| New Hampshire | $229,210 | 450 |
| Vermont | $228,670 | 180 |
| District of Columbia | $223,250 | 490 |
| Florida | $222,600 | 2,390 |
| Nebraska | $221,360 | 900 |
| Missouri | $216,570 | 160 |
| Oklahoma | $216,570 | 490 |
| Pennsylvania | $213,310 | 990 |
| Louisiana | $210,390 | N/A |
| Connecticut | $208,000 | 980 |
| New York | $183,460 | 10,000 |
| Michigan | $149,990 | 2,060 |
| Illinois | $140,680 | 1,130 |
| Iowa | $122,920 | 380 |
| Nevada | $114,090 | 390 |
| New Jersey | $89,990 | 2,920 |
| West Virginia | $72,680 | 630 |
State median wages for general internal medicine physicians (SOC 29-1216), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for general internal medicine physicians
The BLS projects employment of general internal medicine physicians to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 73,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 76,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,900 openings a year for general internal medicine physicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a general internal medicine physician
The typical entry-level education for general internal medicine physicians is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a general internal medicine physician earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Georgia, $425,460) and the lowest (West Virginia, $72,680) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 67,150 people work as general internal medicine physicians in the United States. At $256,560 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
General internal medicine physician salary FAQ
How much does a general internal medicine physician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a general internal medicine physician is $123.35. The middle half of general internal medicine physicians earn between $59.84 and $180.22 per hour.
What is the highest general internal medicine physician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of general internal medicine physicians earn more than $475,430 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a general internal medicine physician make a year?
The median annual salary for a general internal medicine physician is $256,560. The average (mean) wage of $267,200 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a general internal medicine physician a well paid job?
At $256,560 a year, a general internal medicine physician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 67,150 people work as general internal medicine physicians in the United States.
Which state pays general internal medicine physicians the most?
Georgia has the highest median salary for general internal medicine physicians at $425,460 a year. Rhode Island ($379,490) and Minnesota ($373,700) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a general internal medicine physician a good career?
Employment of general internal medicine physicians is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a general internal medicine physician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for general internal medicine physicians as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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