How long does it take to become a general internal medicine physician?

Typically eight years or more of study, then an internship or residency, often one to three years. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do general internal medicine physicians make?

The US median is $256,560 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a general internal medicine physician?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train to become a general internal medicine physician?

181 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

🎓 My University View

Home › Careers › General internal medicine physicians

How to become a general internal medicine physician

Healthcare (clinical) · SOC 29-1216

$256,560US median pay, 2025

+4%Projected growth, 2025–35

1,900Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Doctoral or professional degree
Internship/residency
Work as a general internal medicine physician

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Medicine	CIP 51.1201	150
Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy	CIP 51.1202	34
Internal Medicine/Anesthesiology Combined Specialty Program	CIP 61.0108	0
Internal Medicine/Dermatology Combined Specialty Program	CIP 61.0109	0
Internal Medicine/Emergency Medicine Combined Specialty Program	CIP 61.0110	0
Internal Medicine/Emergency Medicine/Critical Care Medicine Combined Specialty Program	CIP 61.0111	0
Internal Medicine/Family Medicine Combined Specialty Program	CIP 61.0112	0
Internal Medicine/Neurology Combined Specialty Program	CIP 61.0114	0
Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Combined Specialty Program	CIP 61.0115	0
Internal Medicine/Preventive Medicine Combined Specialty Program	CIP 61.0116	0
Internal Medicine/Psychiatry Combined Specialty Program	CIP 61.0117	0
Internal Medicine Residency Program	CIP 61.0801	0

See the 181 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a general internal medicine physician?: Typically eight years or more of study, then an internship or residency, often one to three years. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do general internal medicine physicians make?: The US median is $256,560 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a general internal medicine physician?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train to become a general internal medicine physician?: 181 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

Related careers in Healthcare (clinical)

Registered nurses · Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses · Pharmacy technicians · Nurse practitioners · Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians · Psychiatric technicians · Dental hygienists · Medical records specialists