The doctor is in, and now it’s time for the best states for family and general practitioners.
I have a great relationship with my doctor. We love to chat just about anything. Sometimes about my illnesses–sometimes about the time he took the LSAT for fun. He is an interesting guy, who does not think that getting into law school would be that hard. For him, maybe not.
It took me a while to find someone I trusted. I went through a lot of bad apples. You know what they say, an apple a day keeps the bad apples away. Or something like that. Still, you have to choose your doctors carefully. You need someone who gives you their full attention, keeps good records, and could have gotten into law school if he really, really wanted to.
Family and general practitioners are physicians we go to when we suffer from common illnesses like a cough, colds, and flu. These medical professionals are our go-to people during emergency situations. The US Bureau of Labor Association (BLS) links family and general practitioners to surgeons, as the two usually work hand in hand to solve medical problems, more especially when dealing with sicknesses that are deemed common for the major population.
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Becoming a family and general practitioner is not for the faint of heart. From the very moment one decides to be a doctor, no matter the specialization, he has to be ready for tons of setbacks and challenges. The subjects one has to take in a medical program tend to be tedious and really challenging, as most of them involve critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Being a family and general practitioner will take you to a competitive world, where you would not only take more years studying, but will also be required to take a licensure exam. That’s not all, for after passing a licensure exam, aspiring medical practitioners usually have to spend around 3 to 7 years of residency and specialization. It all depends on the path you are going to take, but it will always require hard work, passion, and patience for sure.
What sets family and general practitioners apart from other doctors is how they usually have regular and long-term patients. That is typically why they are called family physicians since families would often consult them in case any of their members get sick. Family and general practitioners take care of most common illnesses including sinusitis, fever, bone injuries, and so much more.
Family and general practitioners, apart from a good education, must also be compassionate and patient–and able to keep my attention while drawing blood. They are also expected to have exceptional skills in communication, problem-solving, analysis, leadership, and dexterity–again for painlessly drawing blood. You know, I’m not even that scared of blood tests–I just have high standards. They should also have a keen attention to detail and have excellent physical stamina. The demands of the job are both mental and physical, that it is only natural for the pressure and stresses to take their toll on you–especially if you’re specifically my doctor trying to gently draw blood AND tell me how you could’ve gotten into law school at the same time.
The responsibilities of family and general practitioners are big–they’re taking care of families. Therefore, everyone expects the wages to be really high, or at least relatively so. The average median wages for family and general practitioners is at $221,419, according to the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). Then again, wages vary according to work experience, hours worked, and even where they are–which is why this list is so important! This is also why it is important to carefully choose where you’re going to practice.
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However, we also have to note the fact that it is not just the salary rate we should be looking at when looking for the best states for family and general practitioners. The cost of living index and employment rates are also as important in where you will practice. Earning a lot but spending so much on everyday needs, like lattes and extra lattes, isn’t sensible and WILL leave you aching for a bathroom. Don’t drink so many lattes! You’re a doctor; you should know better. You should be looking at states with a great balance between income and expenses.
For out list, we’ve used three points of criteria. One is cost of living index for each state, which was derived from Missouri Economic and Information Research Center (MERIC), and the employment rates and annual median wages for each state, sourced from BLS. Each state ranking was averaged, which brought us to the results reflected in this list.
Read on to know more about the best states for family and general practitioners.
25. Minnesota
Annual median wage: $179,910
Cost of living: 101.1
Employment: 2,560
Being a family and general practitioner in Minnesota is undoubtedly appealing, especially when you see how much they earn on the average there. The wages could be even higher when you have more years of experience, imagine that. The state has 125 hospitals in total, which explains their employment rates. The cost of living they have on file would take a chunk out of your wages either.
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24. Mississippi
Annual median wage: $169,510
Cost of living: 86
Employment: 910
We are continuing our list of best states for family and general practitioners with Mississippi that has fewer hospitals than Minnesota, so it is no wonder that they have slightly lower employment rates than the latter. Then again, what kept Mississippi on the list is how cheap their living expenses are. This state holds the record for being the most affordable state to live in America. What makes it even better is that they have tons of jobs available. This makes them really ideal for family and general practitioners, as well as other professionals.
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23. Pennsylvania
Annual median wage: $173,150
Cost of living: 102.8
Employment: 5,160
With 250 hospitals, there is no doubt Pennsylvania is one of the best states for family and general practitioners. The state is also known to have universities that rank well in which to study medicine. You could study medicine here and then set up a practice here, too. They pay their doctors well, and the living expenses are not too much.
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22. South Carolina
Annual median wage: $177,960
Cost of living: 100.5
Employment: 3,410
There are only 90 hospitals recorded for South Carolina, that you might wonder how they have that kind of employment rates. The reason could be because some doctors here would have preferred putting up their own clinics rather than working in hospitals. Their wages for family and general practitioners also do not disappoint, especially when you factor in how much they spend on a daily basis.
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21. California
Annual median wage: $182,200
Cost of living: 134.8
Employment: 16,400
California ranks first when it comes to employment rates for family and general practitioners. The wages they offer might not be as high when you compare it to other states. The cost of living rates they have is also too high for anyone’s comfort, which is why despite the high wages and employment rates, they ranked quite low on the list. Doctors can still try their fate in California, though they might have to compromise a little on their expenses–say goodbye to that gold surfboard.
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20. Kentucky
Annual median wage: $177.720
Cost of living: 90.8
Employment: 1,370
Up next in our list of best states for family and general practitioners is Kentucky that has 130 hospitals, not including individual clinics. They have a fair employment rate, but their wages will most definitely attract doctors of various specializations. They have among the most affordable cost of living rates in the country, which never fails to lure people to their state. The wages they have are already high but has more worth in Kentucky where generally everything is affordable.
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19. Oklahoma
Annual median wage: $105,060
Cost of living: 88.6
Employment: 3,850
Even if Oklahoma offers the lowest wages for family and general practitioners, the impressively high employment rates they have for these professionals balance that out and took the state this far on the list. The state only has 36 recorded hospitals and probably tons of clinics, and that is why they recorded a lot of employment for family doctors. Their cost of living rates are so low you’d think nearly any wage would be able to sustain a decent living in Oklahoma.
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18. Tennessee
Annual median wage: $170,910
Cost of living: 89.8
Employment: 1,650
Tennessee, the next one in our list of best states for family and general practitioners has always been known to be an affordable state. This state has 157 hospitals in total, which is reflected well on their fairly high employment rates for family and general practitioners. Aside from a good standing of employing doctors, the state also boasts sustainable cost of living expenses that would not slash your earnings. With high wages and low cost of living rates, Tennessee looks very promising not just for family doctors but for other professionals, too.
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17. Massachusetts
Annual median wage: $197,740
Cost of living: 134.7
Employment: 3,890
Massachusetts is not only a great state to be a family and general practitioner, it is also one of the best states to take up medicine. This just makes this state one of the best ones to consider moving to once you have finally decided to be a doctor. They offer the seventh highest wages for family and general practitioners, but their expensive cost of living rates usually discourage people from living there. The wages and employment rates might still be worth it, though.
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16. Idaho
Annual median wage: $182,020
Cost of living: 89.6
Employment: 820
There are only 48 hospitals recorded in Idaho, that is why they have quite low employment rates for family and general practitioners. Despite not very high employment rates, Idaho is popular for being a very affordable place to live in the country. The state also has high wages, made even better when you balance it with its cost of living rates. A state that pays well and does not charge too much on everyday expenses? Yes, please!
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15. Missouri
Annual median wage: $151,730
Cost of living: 90.8
Employment: 7,020
Missouri does not pay too much for their family doctors, but it is well balanced with really low cost of living rates. Even the lowest wages could most definitely sustain a decent life in Missouri, think how much more you could do in St. Louis with wages that are high? Plus, another great thing about Missouri is their high employment rates. They have 150 hospitals on record, which explains the job opportunities they have for family and general practitioners.
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14. Utah
Annual median wage: $192,570
Cost of living: 92.8
Employment: 1,380
Utah ranks tenth in terms of the wages paid to family and general practitioners. This is a great thing because Utah is known to be an affordable state, it is really unexpected for the state to pay high wages like they do for doctors. Not only do they have a great balance between wages and expenses, they also have impressive employment rates despite only 53 hospitals on record.
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13. Indiana
Annual median wage: $172,390
Cost of living: 87.9
Employment: 1,980
At th 13th place in our list of best states for family and general practitioners is Indiana that has 149 hospitals in total, which is reflected well in their employment rates for family and general practitioners. The state also has pretty high wages for their family doctors, which is a treat since Indiana is not popular for paying very high wages. Their cheap living expenses have always been their main luring factor when it comes to migration. With this profession, it is clear Indiana is a winner.
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12. Nebraska
Annual median wage: $195,890
Cost of living: 91.3
Employment: 1,100
With almost $200,000 as an annual median wage, there is no doubt Nebraska is one of the best states for family and general practitioners. This state was never popular for their high wages, but they surely rolled high on this job. They scored high on this list because of the balance they have between income and expenses. Nebraska is one of the cheapest states to live in America. They have just 97 hospitals in total, but the employment rates they have show how friendly the state is for family physicians.
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11. Ohio
Annual median wage: $180,220
Cost of living: 93
Employment: 3,840
Ohio’s annual median wage for family and general practitioners impress well, more especially when you realize how cheap it actually is to live there. There are 212 hospitals on record for Ohio, so we can very well guarantee that the demand and job opportunities would most likely be really good for years to come. Ohio seems to have hit the perfect balance between wages and expenses, which is why they deserve the spot they have on the list.
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10. Kansas
Annual median wage: $198,570
Cost of living: 90.4
Employment: 1,010
With 161 hospitals in total, Kansas, the next one in our list of best states for family and general practitioners looks very promising to family and general practitioners for sure. They have fairly reasonable employment rates for these professionals, with wages that would most definitely attract everyone to work and live in Kansas. The state also has really impressive cost of living expenses that do not cost much, and could very well sustain a living even with the smallest wage.
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9. North Carolina
Annual median wage: $183,400
Cost of living: 94.2
Employment: 3,450
There are 144 hospitals on record for North Carolina. I would say the number they have is not too low yet not too high, just enough, but they still managed to draw fairly good employment rates for family and general practitioners. The state also has really good wages for these professionals, which could also explain why more and more doctors would prefer to practice here than other states. They have low cost of living expenses, too. What else could you be looking for?
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8. Wisconsin
Annual median wage: $194,030
Cost of living: 96.9
Employment: 3,450
We are continuing our list of best states for family and general practitioners with Wisconsin that has a few more hospitals as compared to North Carolina, with the former’s count at 150. Then again, it is noticeable that they have just the same employment rates for family and general practitioners. It could mean they’re still needing more family doctors, which is always good news for these professionals. Their wages are among the highest in America. They have low cost of living rates, making their salaries even better for doctors and other professionals as well.
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7. Illinois
Annual median wage: $182,150
Cost of living: 95.5
Employment: 5,240
This state has 221 hospitals on record, reflected well in their employment rates. Illinois has the fifth highest employment rates for family and general practitioners, so if you’re a doctor, this state might just be your safest bet. They have really good paychecks for medical professionals, and if you get a job here, you’re in luck–you’ll get to enjoy your wages without worrying about your food and rent.
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6. Georgia
Annual median wage: $190,300
Cost of living: 91.4
Employment: 3,220
With 185 hospitals in total, Georgia sure would not run out of opportunities for family and general practitioners. The state has always been known for their cheap cost of living rates, which lure people more and more to move there. The wages they offer to family doctors almost reach the $200,000 mark. These data just show how well they balance wages and expenses of their residents, which makes Georgia deserving of this spot on the list of best states for family and general practitioners.
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5. Michigan
Annual median wage: $170,040
Cost of living: 88.2
Employment: 4,670
Michigan, the next on in our list of best states for family and general practitioners has 176 hospitals in total, making them have so many opportunities for jobs for family and general practitioners. The state is the third most affordable state in America, which also attracts more and more professionals to live and work in here. Their cost of living rate could probably make any wage sustain a living; fortunately, Michigan pays their doctors really well.
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4. Iowa
Annual median wage: $213,600
Cost of living: 91.7
Employment: 1,840
Iowa has 125 hospitals on record, which explains their employment rates which are not too high yet not too low. The state also boasts of really high wages for family and general practitioners, which ranks second on the highest wages paid by American states for this job. The cost of living rates they have can sustain the most meager of wages, so you know everyone can have a great life in Iowa.
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3. Florida
Annual median wage: $190,840
Cost of living: 99
Employment: 10,680
At the third spot in our list of best states for family and general practitioners is Florida that has the second highest employment rates for family and general practitioners. They have 258 hospitals in total and might have tons of clinics or private offices around the state as well. The wages they offer will, of course, attract doctors to live and practice in Florida. If you are a family and general practitioner looking for the best state to practice your profession, you’ll get amazing job opportunities and great wages to expenses balance in Florida.
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2. Texas
Annual median wage: $179,170
Cost of living: 90.7
Employment: 6,540
With 579 hospitals in total, it is no doubt that Texas is one of the best states for family and general practitioners. The state has always been a consistent winner in terms of job opportunities, making it a popular choice for everyone moving to greener pastures. The wages they offer family doctors do not look like much at first glance, but their cost of living rates make it simply irresistible.
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1. Arkansas
Annual median wage: $214,080
Cost of living: 88.5
Employment: 1,560
Arkansas, the nuber one in our list of best states for family and general practitioners has 107 hospitals in total, so the employment rates they have are just on the fair side. Even so, the balance they have between the wages and cost of living expenses is simply astounding. It is so rare for cheap states in America to be able to offer the highest salaries to a job, and Arkansas did just that for family and general practitioners. If you’re a doctor who got a job in this state, you can be sure you’ll not worry about your living expenses. You’ll have your cake–or a healthy option–and eat it, too.
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These states happen to have a really good balance between all three points. It does not always depend on just how much you earn, you should also consider how much you are going to spend on a daily basis. If you happen to earn really good money and have to spend a huge chunk of it to your food and rent allowance, what sense does it make? So, if you’re a newly licensed doctor, make sure you choose one from the best states for family and general practitioners.
