Overview
Physicians diagnose and treat injuries, illnesses, and chronic conditions across virtually every area of medicine. They work in hospitals, private practices, clinics, urgent care centers, and a range of specialty settings, from primary care to highly specialized surgical fields. Employment of physicians and surgeons is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations, with about 23,600 openings projected each year. Demand is driven by an aging population, rising rates of chronic disease, and the ongoing need for access to care across communities. Becoming a physician requires years of education and training, but it is one of the most respected and well-compensated careers in healthcare. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
What is a Physician?
A Physician is a licensed medical professional who evaluates patients, orders and interprets diagnostic tests, makes diagnoses, and develops and manages treatment plans. Physicians may practice in a specific specialty or work as primary care providers, and they hold a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree along with a state license to practice (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do Physicians do?
Physicians assess and manage patient health across a broad range of conditions and settings. Typical responsibilities include:
- Taking patient histories and performing physical examinations
- Ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic tests such as lab work, imaging, and biopsies
- Diagnosing acute and chronic illnesses and injuries
- Developing and adjusting individualized treatment plans
- Prescribing medications and other therapies
- Performing procedures and surgeries depending on specialty
- Coordinating care with nurses, specialists, and other members of the healthcare team
- Educating patients and families on diagnoses, treatment options, and preventive care
- Documenting patient encounters for medical records and billing
- Managing ongoing care for patients with complex or chronic conditions
What are the requirements to be a Physician?
Education
- Complete a Bachelor's degree, typically with coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and math, to prepare for medical school admission.
- Earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from a program accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from a program accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). Medical school is typically four years.
Licensing Exams
- MD candidates must pass all three steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). DO candidates may take the USMLE or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA).
Residency Training
- Complete an ACGME-accredited residency program in your chosen specialty. Residency programs are approximately three to seven years in duration, depending on the specialty. Federation of State Medical Boards
Fellowship (optional)
- Physicians pursuing subspecialties may complete an additional fellowship of one to three years after residency.
State Licensure
- Apply for a state medical license through your state medical board after completing residency and passing required licensing exams. Requirements vary by state.
Board Certification (optional but expected)
- Achieve board certification in your specialty through the relevant member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). While not legally required in most states, board certification is expected by most employers and hospital credentialing bodies.
Maintenance and Continuing Education
- Maintain state licensure and board certification through ongoing continuing medical education (CME) and periodic recertification as required by your specialty board and state.
Professional Associations (optional but helpful)
- American Medical Association (AMA): the largest physician membership organization in the U.S., providing advocacy, resources, and education.
What is a Physician's Salary?
Wages for physicians and surgeons are among the highest of all occupations, with a median wage equal to or greater than $239,200 per year. Salaries vary significantly by specialty, practice setting, and geographic location.
What is a Travel Physician's Salary?
Travel physicians, commonly referred to as locum tenens physicians, take temporary contract assignments to fill staffing gaps at hospitals and clinics. The average annual pay for a Locum Tenens Physician in the United States is $308,331, which works out to approximately $148.24 an hour, or the equivalent of $5,929/week or $25,694/month.
References
- Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education [ACGME]. (n.d.). Home. https://www.acgme.org/
- American Board of Medical Specialties [ABMS]. (n.d.). Home. https://www.abms.org/
- American Medical Association [AMA]. (n.d.). Home. https://www.ama-assn.org/
- Federation of State Medical Boards [FSMB]. (n.d.). About Physician Licensure. https://www.fsmb.org/u.s.-medical-regulatory-trends-and-actions/guide-to-medical-regulation-in-the-united-states/about-physician-licensure/
- Liaison Committee on Medical Education [LCME]. (n.d.). Home. https://lcme.org/
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm
- United States Medical Licensing Examination [USMLE]. (n.d.). Path to Licensure. https://www.usmle.org/path-licensure
- ZipRecruiter. (2026). Locum Tenens Physician Salary. https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Locum-Tenens-Physician-Salary