How to Become a Primary Care Physician?
Are you thinking of becoming a Primary Care Physician or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Primary Care Physician, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Primary Care Physician job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
Steps to Become a Primary Care Physician
If you're considering starting your Primary Care Physician career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Primary Care Physician and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Primary Care Physician career.Contents
1
Earn a Degree
To begin your Primary Care Physician career path, a Bachelor's Degree in nursing or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Primary Care Physician internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.What type of degree should you pursue to become a Primary Care Physician?
60% of people working as a Primary Care Physician earned a Bachelor's Degree
What skills do you need to be a Primary Care Physician?
- English Language
- Diagnosis
- Treating
- Bilingual
- Written Communication
- MS OUTLOOK
- Spanish Language
- Leadership
2
Choose a Specialty in Your Field
As an Primary Care Physician, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Primary Care Physician field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Primary Care Physician specialty.3
Get an Entry-Level Position as a Primary Care Physician
Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in nursing or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Primary Care Physician. In general, you can become a Primary Care Physician after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Primary Care Physician role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certificate of foreign equivalency.4
Advance in Your Primary Care Physician Career
Following entry-level, there are several Primary Care Physician career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Primary Care Physician to progress to the next seniority level position. Each advanced Primary Care Physician position requires approximately 8 years of experience at each level to advance in your Primary Care Physician career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Primary Care Physician career path.5
Continued Education for Your Primary Care Physician Career Path
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Primary Care Physician career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in nursing can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $340,636 compared to $73,190 for those without that type of degree.Primary Care Physician Career Path
Primary Care Physician
8+Years of Experience
$186K - $337K /yrMost Likely Range
Lead Primary Care Physician
No Years of Experience Reports
$159K - $287K /yrMost Likely Range
Director of Medical
No Years of Experience Reports
$172K - $321K /yrMost Likely Range
Total Pay Trajectory
Primary Care Physician Career Path
Primary Care Physician
Lead Primary Care Physician
Director of Medical
$140K
$188K
$236K
$284K
$380K
Are you paid fairly? Get a free, personalized salary estimate based on today's job market
Related Careers in the Healthcare Industry
Interested in other Healthcare careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Primary Care Physician skills. Discover some of the most common Primary Care Physician career transitions, along with skills overlap.