Attending physician vs public health physician

The differences between attending physicians and public health 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 public health physician. Additionally, an attending physician has an average salary of $200,702, which is higher than the $199,316 average annual salary of a public health physician.

The top three skills for an attending physician include patients, primary care and surgery. The most important skills for a public health physician are patients, primary care, and patient care.

Attending physician vs public health physician overview

	Attending Physician	Public Health Physician
Yearly salary	$200,702	$199,316
Hourly rate	$96.49	$95.83
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	53,195	93,090
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 31%
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 public health physician do?

A public health physician provides health services in communities, treating and diagnosing illnesses and injuries, referring patients to other services when necessary. Besides providing direct health care, they also spearhead various programs focusing on disease and injury prevention, help local communities in dealing with natural disasters and outbreaks, and facilitating seminars and information drives. Moreover, a public health physician may also utilize their health care expertise by participating in various studies and research programs meant to help communities.

Attending physician vs public health physician salary

Attending physicians and public health physicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Attending Physician	Public Health Physician
Average salary	$200,702	$199,316
Salary range	Between $125,000 And $321,000	Between $103,000 And $382,000
Highest paying City	Miami, FL	Santa Ana, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	California
Best paying company	Community Health Systems	Alameda Health System
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between attending physician and public health physician education

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

	Attending Physician	Public Health Physician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Most common major	Medicine	Medicine
Most common college	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	University of Virginia

Attending physician vs public health physician demographics

Here are the differences between attending physicians' and public health physicians' demographics:

	Attending Physician	Public Health Physician
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 36.5% Female, 63.5%	Male, 32.1% Female, 67.9%
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, 5.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.1% Asian, 18.9% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	13%	13%

Differences between attending physician and public health 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.

Public health physician example responsibilities.

Develop skills in managing diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension.
Educate employees about the prevention of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia.
Develop, administer, and follow up on new to EHR competency assessments complete by new hires during EMR training.
Work and supervise patients with severe emotional problems.
Provide overall quality prenatal health care, gynecological services, patient triage, refer patients with complications, provide patient education service
Scan and upload patient documentation into eClinicalWorks system.

Attending physician vs public health physician skills

Common attending physician skills

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

Common public health physician skills

Patients, 39%
Primary Care, 13%
Patient Care, 10%
Urgent Care, 7%
Family Practice, 5%
Medical Care, 4%

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Attending Physician
Attending Physician vs Public Health Physician

Updated January 8, 2025

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