Internist salary
BLS occupation: General Internal Medicine Physicians · also called internal medicine physician · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
Median salary $256,560 a year, US
Median hourly pay $123.35 an hour
Middle half earn $124,470–$374,850 25th to 75th percentile
Internists employed 67,150 +4.0% projected by 2035
How much does an internist make?
- The median internist salary in the US is $256,560 a year ($123.35 an hour): half of the 67,150 internists BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $267,200.
- The middle half earn between $124,470 and $374,850. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $73,570 and the top 10% more than $475,430.
- That is 5.0 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Georgia pays internists the most (median $425,460), followed by Rhode Island ($379,490) and Minnesota ($373,700). West Virginia pays the least ($72,680).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Georgia, where the median is worth $441,839 in typical US prices, then Wisconsin and South Carolina.
- In 132 of the 136 metro areas with data, the median internist salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of internists to grow 4.0% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 1,900 openings a year. The typical entry education is a doctoral or professional degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what internists are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Internist salary range
Half of internists earn between $124,470 and $374,850 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $73,570
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $124,470
Median Yearly pay: $256,560
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $374,850
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $475,430
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $73,570 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $124,470 |
| Median | $256,560 |
| Top 25% earn over | $374,850 |
| Top 10% earn over | $475,430 |
Internist salary by state
Georgia pays internists the most; West Virginia the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($256,560), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Georgia | $425,460 median |
| Rhode Island | $379,490 median |
| Minnesota | $373,700 median |
| Wisconsin | $367,160 median |
| Alaska | $366,080 median |
| South Carolina | $359,500 median |
| Idaho | $355,390 median |
| Washington | $340,010 median |
| North Dakota | $338,400 median |
| Utah | $331,720 median |
| Mississippi | $325,610 median |
| Maine | $316,880 median |
| Indiana | $314,390 median |
| California | $313,890 median |
| Alabama | $311,180 median |
| Colorado | $299,990 median |
| North Carolina | $289,780 median |
| Massachusetts | $285,250 median |
| South Dakota | $280,520 median |
| Texas | $269,110 median |
| Oregon | $268,570 median |
| Maryland | $260,410 median |
| Arizona | $259,320 median |
| Ohio | $249,990 median |
| Kentucky | $241,530 median |
| Arkansas | $233,130 median |
| Tennessee | $232,220 median |
| New Hampshire | $229,210 median |
| Vermont | $228,670 median |
| District of Columbia | $223,250 median |
| Florida | $222,600 median |
| Nebraska | $221,360 median |
| Missouri | $216,570 median |
| Oklahoma | $216,570 median |
| Pennsylvania | $213,310 median |
| Louisiana | $210,390 median |
| Connecticut | $208,000 median |
| New York | $183,460 median |
| Michigan | $149,990 median |
| Illinois | $140,680 median |
| Iowa | $122,920 median |
| Nevada | $114,090 median |
| New Jersey | $89,990 median |
| West Virginia | $72,680 median |
Where internist pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Internists' pay goes furthest in Georgia once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Georgia | $441,839 |
| Wisconsin | $390,201 |
| South Carolina | $383,471 |
| North Dakota | $380,400 |
| Minnesota | $378,925 |
| Mississippi | $374,467 |
| Idaho | $372,160 |
| Rhode Island | $371,031 |
| Alaska | $357,643 |
| Alabama | $350,337 |
Internist pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $425,460 | $204.55 | $103,490 | $581,750 | 5,440 | $441,839 |
| Rhode Island | $379,490 | $182.45 | $69,590 | $425,340 | 300 | $371,031 |
| Minnesota | $373,700 | $179.66 | $197,440 | $481,170 | 2,270 | $378,925 |
| Wisconsin | $367,160 | $176.52 | $74,160 | $451,640 | 1,450 | $390,201 |
| Alaska | $366,080 | $176.00 | $163,230 | $556,190 | 110 | $357,643 |
| South Carolina | $359,500 | $172.84 | $102,500 | $441,010 | 1,260 | $383,471 |
| Idaho | $355,390 | $170.86 | $133,880 | $385,590 | 130 | $372,160 |
| Washington | $340,010 | $163.47 | $222,990 | $406,010 | 1,100 | $317,728 |
| North Dakota | $338,400 | $162.69 | $190,430 | $379,100 | 200 | $380,400 |
| Utah | $331,720 | $159.48 | $161,890 | $448,650 | 210 | $335,532 |
| Mississippi | $325,610 | $156.54 | $67,440 | $429,660 | 390 | $374,467 |
| Maine | $316,880 | $152.35 | $185,760 | $539,420 | 270 | $326,512 |
| Indiana | $314,390 | $151.15 | $177,830 | $504,870 | 2,380 | $336,862 |
| California | $313,890 | $150.91 | $74,180 | $441,710 | 6,370 | $283,499 |
| Alabama | $311,180 | $149.61 | $156,060 | $369,200 | 310 | $350,337 |
| Colorado | $299,990 | $144.23 | $176,330 | $371,600 | 450 | $291,105 |
| North Carolina | $289,780 | $139.32 | $123,810 | $462,680 | 1,700 | $307,211 |
| Massachusetts | $285,250 | $137.14 | $84,750 | $369,930 | 1,590 | $269,722 |
| South Dakota | $280,520 | $134.87 | $222,550 | $564,280 | 160 | $316,664 |
| Texas | $269,110 | $129.38 | $69,460 | $387,660 | 3,850 | $277,270 |
| Oregon | $268,570 | $129.12 | $228,850 | $350,220 | 230 | $259,837 |
| Maryland | $260,410 | $125.20 | $135,630 | $393,430 | 3,250 | $248,106 |
| Arizona | $259,320 | $124.67 | $65,610 | $391,480 | 2,570 | $257,576 |
| Ohio | $249,990 | $120.19 | $84,180 | $453,010 | 1,540 | $269,461 |
| Kentucky | $241,530 | $116.12 | $73,510 | $456,710 | 1,060 | $267,893 |
| Arkansas | $233,130 | $112.08 | $59,180 | $316,760 | 290 | $268,160 |
| Tennessee | $232,220 | $111.64 | $64,870 | $412,460 | 1,370 | $252,770 |
| New Hampshire | $229,210 | $110.20 | $69,840 | $414,380 | 450 | $220,045 |
| Vermont | $228,670 | $109.94 | $181,710 | $452,190 | 180 | $233,437 |
| District of Columbia | $223,250 | $107.33 | $48,710 | $513,990 | 490 | $203,137 |
| Florida | $222,600 | $107.02 | $85,220 | $575,210 | 2,390 | $215,251 |
| Nebraska | $221,360 | $106.42 | $70,920 | $378,450 | 900 | $245,674 |
| Missouri | $216,570 | $104.12 | $173,630 | $438,090 | 160 | $238,469 |
| Oklahoma | $216,570 | $104.12 | $67,270 | $468,320 | 490 | $246,542 |
| Pennsylvania | $213,310 | $102.55 | $67,360 | $415,810 | 990 | $218,618 |
| Louisiana | $210,390 | $101.15 | $184,700 | $324,900 | – | $238,518 |
| Connecticut | $208,000 | $100.00 | $66,740 | $413,750 | 980 | $200,753 |
| New York | $183,460 | $88.20 | $78,160 | $416,640 | 10,000 | $169,995 |
| Michigan | $149,990 | $72.11 | $59,440 | $378,470 | 2,060 | $155,887 |
| Illinois | $140,680 | $67.63 | $63,940 | $349,420 | 1,130 | $140,739 |
| Iowa | $122,920 | $59.10 | $71,420 | $391,510 | 380 | $140,061 |
| Nevada | $114,090 | $54.85 | $82,970 | $291,170 | 390 | $114,114 |
| New Jersey | $89,990 | $43.26 | $82,320 | $431,460 | 2,920 | $82,708 |
| West Virginia | $72,680 | $34.94 | $63,150 | $430,020 | 630 | $81,209 |
BLS does not publish pay for internists in 7 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Internist salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes internist pay: 137 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- South Bend, IN $485,900
- Santa Cruz, CA $430,970
- Lafayette, IN $416,860
- Jackson, TN $412,460
- Oshkosh, WI $385,880
- Providence, RI $379,490
- Tulsa, OK $377,580
- Ithaca, NY $370,320
- Lincoln, NE $369,980
- Worcester, MA $369,930
Where the pay goes furthest
- South Bend, IN $523,272
- Jackson, TN $482,285
- Lafayette, IN $446,174
- Tulsa, OK $423,230
- Oshkosh, WI $415,242
- Lincoln, NE $403,992
- Florence, SC $401,330
- Macon, GA $400,359
- Grand Forks, ND $398,013
- Santa Cruz, CA $392,162
All 137 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend, IN | $485,900 | 140 | $523,272 | 3% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $430,970 | – | $392,162 | 10% |
| Lafayette, IN | $416,860 | 120 | $446,174 | 4% |
| Jackson, TN | $412,460 | 160 | $482,285 | 4% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $385,880 | 80 | $415,242 | 4% |
| Providence, RI | $379,490 | 330 | $372,879 | 7% |
| Tulsa, OK | $377,580 | 190 | $423,230 | 4% |
| Ithaca, NY | $370,320 | 120 | $358,431 | 6% |
| Lincoln, NE | $369,980 | 30 | $403,992 | 4% |
| Worcester, MA | $369,930 | 180 | $360,826 | 7% |
| Anchorage, AK | $366,650 | 80 | $347,799 | 6% |
| Sacramento, CA | $361,590 | – | $338,980 | 8% |
| Waterbury, CT | $360,610 | 90 | $361,412 | – |
| Deltona, FL | $358,050 | 80 | $360,331 | 6% |
| Boise, ID | $355,390 | 70 | $361,202 | 6% |
| Macon, GA | $354,430 | 60 | $400,359 | 4% |
| San Francisco, CA | $351,670 | – | $304,179 | 12% |
| Bismarck, ND | $351,580 | 50 | $386,250 | 4% |
| Florence, SC | $348,250 | 50 | $401,330 | 5% |
| San Jose, CA | $347,870 | – | $315,034 | 13% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $344,930 | 30 | $398,013 | 4% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $344,220 | 110 | $341,258 | 6% |
| York, PA | $344,040 | 50 | $358,375 | 5% |
| Seattle, WA | $340,010 | 850 | $305,949 | 8% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $339,290 | – | $336,908 | 6% |
| Fargo, ND | $338,400 | 100 | $372,396 | 4% |
| Gulfport, MS | $334,330 | 100 | $371,453 | 5% |
| Birmingham, AL | $334,100 | 180 | $364,563 | 5% |
| Jackson, MS | $333,460 | – | $374,472 | 5% |
| Duluth, MN | $333,090 | 50 | $375,237 | 5% |
| Toledo, OH | $330,220 | 220 | $361,074 | 5% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $330,200 | 1,440 | $315,010 | 6% |
| Madison, WI | $329,670 | 270 | $338,863 | 6% |
| College Station, TX | $326,090 | 70 | $358,534 | 6% |
| Orlando, FL | $324,150 | 400 | $319,618 | 7% |
| Baltimore, MD | $322,890 | 2,100 | $309,024 | 7% |
| Huntington, WV | $321,150 | 30 | $363,201 | 4% |
| Manchester, NH | $317,680 | 180 | $300,671 | 8% |
| Oxnard, CA | $314,720 | – | $284,727 | 11% |
| Knoxville, TN | $314,020 | 100 | $339,228 | 7% |
| Bloomington, IN | $307,510 | 100 | $323,409 | 7% |
| Visalia, CA | $307,430 | 70 | $307,969 | 7% |
| Portland, ME | $304,390 | 150 | $298,838 | 9% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $303,980 | – | $267,668 | 12% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $303,930 | 110 | $322,743 | 6% |
| Charleston, SC | $303,680 | 80 | $300,786 | 8% |
| Muncie, IN | $303,660 | 50 | $344,489 | 4% |
| Denver, CO | $299,990 | 290 | $283,593 | 8% |
| Memphis, TN | $298,620 | 340 | $323,957 | 6% |
| Allentown, PA | $296,980 | – | $297,075 | 7% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $293,840 | 80 | $319,242 | 6% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $292,120 | 40 | $340,744 | 5% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $291,570 | 150 | $307,982 | 6% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $291,200 | 80 | $318,377 | 6% |
| Louisville, KY | $291,090 | 260 | $312,751 | 6% |
| Raleigh, NC | $291,060 | 440 | $296,525 | 7% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $289,840 | – | $266,897 | 12% |
| Charlotte, NC | $289,780 | 390 | $297,674 | 7% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $289,470 | 1,020 | $302,489 | 6% |
| Missoula, MT | $288,870 | 100 | $299,518 | 7% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $288,290 | 40 | $292,235 | 6% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $284,250 | 50 | $312,188 | 6% |
| San Diego, CA | $282,200 | – | $252,219 | 13% |
| Athens, GA | $281,100 | 110 | $301,147 | 8% |
| Augusta, GA | $281,050 | 100 | $305,812 | 6% |
| New Haven, CT | $277,290 | – | $265,200 | 9% |
| Dallas, TX | $276,520 | 1,350 | $268,232 | 7% |
| Houston, TX | $274,410 | 1,030 | $278,224 | 7% |
| Portland, OR | $269,700 | 170 | $255,831 | 8% |
| Syracuse, NY | $269,270 | 200 | $281,245 | 7% |
| Tucson, AZ | $264,320 | 320 | $272,787 | 7% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $259,320 | 1,960 | $250,997 | 8% |
| Austin, TX | $256,940 | 220 | $262,007 | 7% |
| Norwich, CT | $256,790 | 60 | $255,652 | 10% |
| Columbus, OH | $249,990 | – | $261,855 | 7% |
| Boston, MA | $243,230 | 1,220 | $224,660 | 15% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $243,080 | 40 | $264,281 | 7% |
| El Paso, TX | $240,990 | 40 | $268,029 | 8% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $240,020 | 60 | $251,209 | 8% |
| Naples, FL | $236,970 | 150 | $229,622 | 13% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $236,920 | 290 | $248,422 | 8% |
| Nashville, TN | $232,220 | 350 | $241,047 | 9% |
| Tampa, FL | $228,950 | – | $226,930 | 10% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $228,740 | 40 | $240,511 | 9% |
| Greensboro, NC | $228,550 | – | $246,110 | 7% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $228,220 | 220 | $229,404 | 9% |
| San Antonio, TX | $228,210 | 370 | $240,941 | 7% |
| Reno, NV | $228,200 | 50 | $225,909 | 11% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $227,660 | 50 | $232,266 | 10% |
| Roanoke, VA | $227,320 | 90 | $242,817 | 7% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $227,140 | – | $226,623 | 12% |
| Chicago, IL | $226,060 | 680 | $218,215 | 11% |
| Asheville, NC | $225,830 | 340 | $234,006 | 9% |
| Albany, GA | $223,400 | 50 | $254,822 | 6% |
| Washington, DC | $223,250 | 1,370 | $205,035 | 13% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $221,400 | 250 | $207,179 | 16% |
| Springfield, IL | $218,310 | 110 | $235,387 | 7% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $216,570 | 180 | $239,547 | 8% |
| Burlington, VT | $216,300 | 140 | $214,267 | 14% |
| Durham, NC | $214,620 | 40 | $219,961 | 9% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $213,780 | 60 | $212,168 | 11% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $209,950 | 50 | $224,625 | 10% |
| North Port, FL | $207,230 | 80 | $202,339 | 12% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $206,410 | 30 | $222,734 | 8% |
| Lafayette, LA | $201,140 | – | $230,641 | 8% |
| St. Louis, MO | $199,310 | – | $209,606 | 9% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $195,960 | 210 | $179,086 | 14% |
| Buffalo, NY | $186,600 | 360 | $194,691 | 9% |
| Omaha, NE | $185,110 | 740 | $201,401 | 9% |
| Lexington, KY | $180,790 | 470 | $194,630 | 11% |
| Hartford, CT | $179,390 | 510 | $174,596 | 13% |
| Miami, FL | $174,990 | – | $153,292 | 18% |
| Youngstown, OH | $163,590 | 110 | $187,187 | 8% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $159,330 | 930 | $155,362 | 14% |
| Salisbury, MD | $152,700 | 80 | $159,700 | 15% |
| Detroit, MI | $149,990 | 1,230 | $149,544 | 12% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $140,720 | 40 | $148,336 | 12% |
| Albany, NY | $136,610 | 250 | $137,205 | 15% |
| Binghamton, NY | $129,660 | 100 | $139,625 | 15% |
| Des Moines, IA | $127,190 | 120 | $138,701 | 12% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $114,090 | 320 | $113,845 | 18% |
| Dayton, OH | $107,480 | – | $115,951 | 15% |
| New York, NY | $105,960 | 10,380 | $94,134 | 40% |
| Riverside, CA | $99,840 | 650 | $93,798 | 30% |
| Iowa City, IA | $82,590 | 100 | $90,253 | 26% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $81,550 | 150 | $74,955 | 48% |
| Rochester, NY | $78,990 | 350 | $81,404 | 23% |
| Watertown, NY | $74,680 | 30 | $85,164 | 24% |
| Johnson City, TN | $73,290 | 140 | $83,352 | 24% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $68,870 | 170 | $70,093 | 33% |
| Billings, MT | $68,850 | 80 | $73,616 | 24% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $67,830 | 60 | $78,986 | 22% |
| Tyler, TX | $65,810 | 80 | $71,412 | 24% |
| Odessa, TX | $65,630 | 70 | $69,896 | 29% |
| Champaign, IL | $63,800 | – | $68,821 | 26% |
| Charleston, WV | $63,540 | 330 | $71,621 | 23% |
| Rockford, IL | $63,430 | 40 | $68,830 | 25% |
What the median internist salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $256,560 |
| Month | $21,380 |
| Every two weeks | $9,868 |
| Week | $4,934 |
| Hour | $123.35 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming an internist: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Internship/residency |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +4.0% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 1,900 |
| Self-employed | 3.6% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 | Associate's degree |
| Vet tech | $47,380 | Associate's degree |
| Speech-language pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree |
| Physician assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| Medical lab tech | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree |
| MRI tech | $95,480 | Associate's degree |
| CRNA | $236,590 | Master's degree |
Questions about internist pay
How much does an internist make an hour?
The median is $123.35 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35.37 and the top 10% over $228.57.
How much does an internist make a month?
About $21,380 a month before taxes at the median salary of $256,560, or $9,868 every two weeks.
What state pays internists the most?
Georgia, with a median of $425,460. Rhode Island ($379,490), Minnesota ($373,700), Wisconsin ($367,160) and Alaska ($366,080) follow.
Where do internists make the most after cost of living?
Georgia: its median of $425,460 is worth $441,839 at typical US prices. Wisconsin, South Carolina and North Dakota come next.
How much do entry-level internists make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of internists earn under $73,570 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $124,470, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become an internist?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a doctoral or professional degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: internship/residency.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-1216 (General Internal Medicine Physicians). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.