Attending physician vs family medicine physician

The differences between attending physicians and family medicine physicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an attending physician and a family medicine physician. Additionally, a family medicine physician has an average salary of $217,942, which is higher than the $200,702 average annual salary of an attending physician.

The top three skills for an attending physician include patients, primary care and surgery. The most important skills for a family medicine physician are patients, primary care, and urgent care.

Attending physician vs family medicine physician overview

	Attending Physician	Family Medicine Physician
Yearly salary	$200,702	$217,942
Hourly rate	$96.49	$104.78
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	53,195	73,309
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Doctoral Degree, 44%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

What does an attending physician do?

An Attending Physician typically supervises fellows, residents, medical students, and other practitioners. They are responsible for supervising each patient every day, reviewing treatment plans with residents, and supervising patient management documents.

What does a family medicine physician do?

A Family Medicine Physician provides medical services for members of families through the use of various medical instruments and equipment. They administer treatments and prescribe various medications.

Attending physician vs family medicine physician salary

Attending physicians and family medicine physicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Attending Physician	Family Medicine Physician
Average salary	$200,702	$217,942
Salary range	Between $125,000 And $321,000	Between $141,000 And $336,000
Highest paying City	Miami, FL	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Vermont
Best paying company	Community Health Systems	Yuma Regional Medical Center
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between attending physician and family medicine physician education

There are a few differences between an attending physician and a family medicine physician in terms of educational background:

	Attending Physician	Family Medicine Physician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Doctoral Degree, 44%
Most common major	Medicine	Medicine
Most common college	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	Duke University

Attending physician vs family medicine physician demographics

Here are the differences between attending physicians' and family medicine physicians' demographics:

	Attending Physician	Family Medicine Physician
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 36.5% Female, 63.5%	Male, 51.4% Female, 48.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 19.1% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 19.0% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	13%	13%

Differences between attending physician and family medicine physician duties and responsibilities

Attending physician example responsibilities.

Manage neurological cancer research protocols: collected/organize data, assure compliance with protocol guidelines, manage study database and enroll patients.
Prepare patients for ultrasound guide injections and aspirations which includes draping patients, prepping medications and preparing sterile instruments.
Manage neurological cancer research protocols: collected/organize data, assure compliance with protocol guidelines, manage study database and enroll patients.
Monitor and manage patient medical records in compliance with HIPPA.

Family medicine physician example responsibilities.

Obtain information about clients' medical history, drug history, complaints and allergies.
Implement integrated practice management and EHR system.
Perform EKG's, glucose, A1C, and urine testing.
Send referrals, enter referrals in epic system.
Perform clinical evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of outpatients
Assist ATC's with first aid, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries.

Attending physician vs family medicine physician skills

Common attending physician skills

Patients, 35%
Primary Care, 8%
Surgery, 5%
Internal Medicine, 5%
BLS, 4%
Rehabilitation, 3%

Common family medicine physician skills

Patients, 34%
Primary Care, 20%
Urgent Care, 14%
Internal Medicine, 6%
Health System, 5%
Surgery, 3%

Attending Physician vs. similar jobs

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Attending Physician
Attending Physician vs Family Medicine Physician

Updated January 8, 2025

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