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Job outlook for general practitioners in the United States
General practitioner job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected general practitioner job growth rate is 7% from 2018-2028.
About 55,400 new jobs for general practitioners are projected over the next decade.
General practitioner salaries have increased 10% for general practitioners in the last 5 years.
There are over 16,760 general practitioners currently employed in the United States.
There are 64,698 active general practitioner job openings in the US.
The average general practitioner salary is $172,831.
Are general practitioner jobs in demand?
General practitioner job and salary trends over time
General practitioner jobs over time
General practitioner job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,760 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 5,131 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,871 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 8,285 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 9,178 | 0.00% |
Average general practitioner salary over time
General practitioner salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $172,831 | $83.09 | +2.5% |
| 2025 | $168,635 | $81.07 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $165,789 | $79.71 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $163,844 | $78.77 | +4.3% |
| 2022 | $157,042 | $75.50 | +3.3% |
General practitioner jobs by state
Most common states for general practitioners
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 202 | 29% |
| 2 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 288 | 22% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,429 | 21% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 284 | 21% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 198 | 21% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 197 | 19% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 730 | 18% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 133 | 18% |
| 9 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 317 | 17% |
| 10 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 581 | 16% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 452 | 15% |
| 12 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 129 | 15% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,033 | 14% |
| 14 | Vermont | 623,657 | 88 | 14% |
| 15 | California | 39,536,653 | 5,016 | 13% |
| 16 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,134 | 13% |
| 17 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 223 | 13% |
| 18 | New York | 19,849,399 | 2,361 | 12% |
| 19 | Alaska | 739,795 | 44 | 6% |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 585 | 5% |
Most common cities for general practitioners
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lawrence | 4 | 5% | $155,590 |
| 2 | Moline | 1 | 2% | $155,279 |
General Practitioner job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of general practitioner experts
Colorado Mesa University
Marshall University
The University of Akron
California State University, Chico
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Dalton State College
Washburn University
Albright College
Indiana Wesleyan University
Northeast Ohio Medical University
College of Our Lady of the Elms
Youngmin Kim
Assistant Professor of PhysicsColorado Mesa University
Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on General Practitioners?
Youngmin Kim: That would depend largely on the students upon how they reacted. Statistics do show that younger students, high schools, freshmen who just came out of online semesters in high school, suffered quality education especially in math and science. A number of students in my classes sort of dropped out when the university platform moved online or hybrid. It would also depend on the quality of lectures their faculties could deliver. At the same time, students with good level of self-motivation did achieve similarly. They would not have a lasting impact. We noticed that the changes tend to polarize the students depending on their willingness and circumstances in health and finance. On another note, the cheating rates did go up significantly-nation wide.
What general advice would you give to a General Practitioner?
John Colclough: Be patient and stay informed. Many performers think their career is about the work in the rehearsal hall or in performance-not so, the real work is in the management of your business. Being an authority of WHO, WHAT and WHERE is key. WHO are the players in your market? The directors, actors, casting people, producing organizations, etc...these are who you need to know-your network. WHAT opportunities exist in your market? The theatres, video companies, universities (if you have an MFA you may be able to teach a class or two), Improvisation groups, any opportunity that allows you to grow your brand is worth your attention. And finally, WHERE are the opportunities-knowing your community and having a sense of how each company fits into the fabric of the community. Having a sense of where the company resides both geographically and virtually (web sites) and having a solid knowledge base of details of each company can inform your marketing tactics as well as provide you with specific details unique to each organization. Careers develop over time and keeping expectations realistic over the first year can be challenging. Be practical and methodical in your approach: save money (there's never enough), find a place to live (the best you can afford), find a side hustle (you're going to need money and routine), find out the lay of the land (WHO, WHAT, and WHERE), develop your skill set (take a class and meet colleagues), go to productions, screenings, workshops, document your growth (keep a journal or calendar to track your progress), celebrate your successes and be patient with your stumbles-Hard knocks are the best teachers!
What General Practitioner skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Colclough: This is a great question, and if I wish I had the answer. I do know this however, performers need to have a skill set that can subsidize their careers. The restaurant/bar industry, more than any other has answered this call. Unfortunately Covid-19 has impacted the restaurant/bar industry more than any other. So challenging on so many levels. What to do? Practical skills that correlate to an individual's unique interests seem like a good place to start. How can the performer utilize known skills to garner a paycheck? Everything from handyman/construction for those who excelled in their technical theatre classes, to personal assistants for those who have a flair for logistics could offer avenues for success if developed. With technology taking more of a central role in the industry, it's possible to enhance those skills during a gap year-this may not help with your monthly bottom line (financially speaking) but would make you better prepared once the year is over. Gap years are a perfect time to hone those skills that need a bit of TLC, for instance: dance classes, voice classes, picking up a second language or a musical instrument-anything that might add another skill set to the resume is worth the time and effort.
What skills stand out on General Practitioner resumes?
Dr. Stephen Weeks: Generally, employers like to see "hands-on" skills for graduates. So, lab-based classes, internships, volunteer work (e.g., in hospitals or other health care settings), and experience in research labs look great on resumes. Because biology is such a diverse field, I cannot point to specific skills for the entire range of biology. Generally, however, having good writing skills will almost certainly be helpful for any biology career.
Dr. Eric Ayars
Professor and Chair of PhysicsCalifornia State University, Chico
Department of Physics
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the General Practitioner job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Eric Ayars: If I knew the answer to this, I'd be buying stocks instead of answering emails. The one thing I can predict with reasonable certainty is that the job market is likely to reward people who are highly adaptable with a broad range of technical skills and the ability to learn new things rapidly. This is a good reason to study physics, incidentally: even if you don't go on to a career in physics, the rapid-learning and problem-solving skills gained as a physics major are valuable anywhere.
What General Practitioner skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Eric Ayars: Learn a programming language, if you don't know one already. I'd suggest Python as it's very useful as a general-purpose programming language, and it's easier to learn than most. The ability to make a computer do something for you that isn't already programmed by someone else can set you apart as a potential hire. Pick something that you do every day on the computer anyway, and learn enough Python to make the computer do it for you automatically. For example, I regularly read three to four webcomics, so I wrote a program that pulls the new comic from those pages every morning and combines them on one page for me, ready to go by the time my morning coffee is hot. In the process I learned some useful programming techniques, which I've since used professionally multiple times!
Melissa Matusek
Director of Marketing and CommunicationsAmerican College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
What type of skills will young General Practitioners need?
Melissa Matusek: When DPMs enter the workforce after residency, the skills needed are many. First, they must have flexibility since the landscape and job descriptions of the profession of foot and ankle surgery are constantly changing. Those just out of training also must be motivated because the first few years out of training is when the stakes are high, when you are spending your time building a practice to prove your worth to patients and the profession.
Plus, aside from continuing to develop surgical skills and learn about the medical management of patients, there is an ever-changing need for a deep understanding of how the business of medicine works. Physicians are entering different work environments that place a variety of demands on them. Patients are also becoming more and more fixated on the costs of their health to themselves and are relying more and more on insurance coverage. These topics and skillsets are beyond the general knowledge base of resident physicians. They also need to be well-versed and adept in the changes in healthcare and insurance/billing practices.
The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons offers not the surgical skills courses needed for foot and ankle surgeons but also a coding and billing course to help practice management skills and show surgeons at all levels how to get paid for the services they perform.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on General Practitioners?
Philip Chang Ph.D.: It depends strongly on what happens to universities post-pandemic. I see the field becoming more competitive as the number of jobs in this area starts to shrink. I also see many people leaving this area, post-graduate, for careers in data science and artificial intelligence. This may change with geopolitical concerns about the U.S. losing its technological edge, but the current trajectory has physics as a shrinking field, by in large.
Marcela Armenta
Assistant Professor of Medical Laboratory TechnologyDalton State College
Department of Allied Health and Social Work
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for General Practitioners in the next 3-5 years?
Marcela Armenta: I genuinely believe molecular diagnostic technology will be more meaningful and prevalent in medical laboratory technology in the next 3-5 years. It has become the standard practice when testing for various genetic diseases and gene mutations, pathogens, DNA-based tissue typing, molecular oncology, and many more. A relatively new procedure added to the molecular testing panel is the microarray essay used to measure gene expression. This type of medical laboratory technology will undoubtedly improve the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for General Practitioners in the next 5 years?
Marcela Armenta: Right now, our profession is in a critical shortage of employees, not just in my surrounding area where I currently reside, but throughout the United States; it has become a nationwide problem. Employment in this field is projected to continue to grow as more and more baby boomers are looking at early retirement and creating more vacancies that are unable to be filled with qualified and skilled laboratory professionals. Our students typically receive job offers in their final semester while doing their clinical internship.
What are the best companies to work for a General Practitioner?
Brian Thomas Ph.D.: A degree in physics can open doors to working at companies in a variety of industries. Research and development teams at aerospace, computer, software, telecommunications, and other technical-focused companies employ people with degrees in physics at all levels. People trained in physics also work in other areas, including journalism, finance, even the entertainment industry. I don't know that I can recommend any specific companies, but generally, any company focused on technical solutions will likely be a good fit.
How do you envision technology impacting General Practitioners in the next 5 years?
Justin Couchman Ph.D.: Online counseling has been around for a while, but I think it will become a lot more mainstream, even after the pandemic. This will make psychological counseling a lot more accessible and in-demand.
Many apps either connect people to counselors or directly instruct people on how to follow different therapies or programs. In some ways, this is a potentially dangerous Wild West situation where anyone can make an app to help people. Some apps are great; some are not. We might start to see more regulation in this area.
Dr. Haydee Encarnacion-Garcia Ph.D.
Associate Professor, MPH Program DirectorIndiana Wesleyan University
School of Health Sciences
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for General Practitioners in the next 5 years?
Dr. Haydee Encarnacion-Garcia Ph.D.: For example, recently, Indiana Wesleyan University established a Master of Science in Nursing/Master in Public Health (MSN/MPH) joint program resulting in a dual degree. This interprofessional collaboration between the IWU School of Nursing and School of Health Sciences will provide an opportunity for bachelor-prepared nurses to gain both advanced skills in nursing education and public health practice. This joint degree program is very timely to the current pandemic crisis and the current healthcare climate needs. According to the Bureau of Healthcare Workforce, estimates a 16% increase in public health jobs over the next ten years. This number is increased by merging nursing and public health combined positions. Nevertheless, we know that the pandemic continues to evolve, and the public health and healthcare practitioners must continue to deliver high-quality care for all patients. Therefore, it is critical during a public health crisis to ensure a well-trained public health workforce prepares to emerge as future leaders in this field.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on General Practitioners?
Julie Aultman Ph.D.: In terms of students in the social sciences and humanities, for example, I actually envision a bright future for these students who have been receiving their education and training without disruption (despite having to experience different pedagogical modalities of instruction). My clinical ethics and humanities students, however, have had the opportunity to examine the issues central to the pandemic, its impact on our healthcare system, our marginalized and vulnerable populations, and are incorporating those issues relevant to research ethics, public health, epidemiology, political science, etc. into their lived experiences.
I have already observed their refined abilities to critically think through problems; their moral development is heightened by the need for them to be courageous, resilient, and leaders of change. For my medical students (who are dual-enrolled in my program), while times have been tough, they have been successful on their Board examinations, and see the importance of their calling - to help patients despite the risks. I have been humbled by these students who regularly check in with their faculty, staff, friends, and family with the messages of "stay safe," "be well," and "we will get through this together." These students will develop their professional skills with grace because of this pandemic.
What general advice would you give to a General Practitioner?
Janet Williams Ph.D.: Students who wish to continue their education in healthcare (MD, DO, DMD, DVM, PA, PT, OT, and many other areas), should ensure that they have plenty of experience in healthcare by becoming certified as an EMT or CNA, and spend at least 1-2 years working or volunteering in that capacity. Students should graduate with strong GPAs, over 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, and should have taken all of their prerequisite courses. Students should be prepared to take standardized admissions exams, and plan to do well in them.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for General Practitioners in the next 3-5 years?
Janet Williams Ph.D.: PCR diagnostics are already critical, but they will become more critical as time goes on, since nearly all disorders or infections might be able to be diagnosed with PCR technology, in a matter of minutes, in the clinic.
Possibly, a little further out, will be genome sequencing to determine health risks for patients. It might even be able to prescribe lifestyle and nutrition best-practices for individuals, based on their genetics.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on General Practitioners?
Janet Williams Ph.D.: Students destined for healthcare must always understand that every patient that comes into the clinic that presents flu virus symptoms might have something far more dangerous, such as SARS-CoV-2 or Ebola. Students must learn to adapt quickly and be prepared and conscientious when working with patients and human body fluids. I hope that the enduring impact for students would be the ability to adapt quickly and learn to exercise safe-practices to keep themselves and others safe and pathogen-free.