Medicine (Pre-Med to M.D./D.O.)
Medicine trains physicians and surgeons who diagnose and treat illness and injury. In the U.S. it is a graduate path: a bachelor's degree with pre-med courses, four years of medical school (M.D. or D.O.), then three to nine years of residency before practicing independently.
Where Medicine (Pre-Med to M.D./D.O.) can lead
A field of study is not one job. These are the occupations BLS tracks for this pathway, with median annual pay (May 2025) and projected change in employment (2025–35); total U.S. employment is projected to grow 3.5%.
| Occupation | Median pay | Outlook | Openings / year | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians and surgeons | $275,930 | +4% About as fast as average |
22,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Median: half of workers earned more, half earned less. Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, checked 2026-10-07.
Key numbers to know
What physicians and surgeons earn
Pay varies widely with experience, employer and location. BLS figures for May 2025.
Often new graduates
Half earned more, half less
Often senior or specialized roles
Median pay by specialty
| Specialty | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Pediatric surgeons | $559,030 |
| Cardiologists | $496,010 |
| Radiologists | $420,860 |
| Anesthesiologists | $391,490 |
| Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric | $358,550 |
| Emergency medicine physicians | $335,550 |
| Dermatologists | $328,730 |
| Obstetricians and gynecologists | $292,910 |
| Psychiatrists | $281,870 |
| General internal medicine physicians | $256,560 |
| Family medicine physicians | $244,180 |
| Pediatricians, general | $210,040 |
BLS publishes state data for individual physician specialties, not for all physicians together.
Source: BLS, physicians and surgeons (pay and work environment tabs).
What the work is really like
From O*NET, which surveys people working in the job (shown for family medicine physicians, one of the main specialties). Most work full time and some more than 40 hours a week; many work long shifts with irregular and overnight hours or on-call duty.
Common tasks
- Prescribe or administer treatment, therapy, medication, vaccination, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury.
- Order, perform, and interpret tests and analyze records, reports, and examination information to diagnose patients' condition.
- Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical history, reports, or examination results.
- Monitor patients' conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.
What workers report
| Share of workers who… | Share |
|---|---|
| Say the consequence of an error is extremely serious | |
| Face time pressure every day | |
| Are exposed to disease or infection every day | |
| Work more than 40 hours a week |
Technology used on the job
Interests that fit this work (Holland codes): Social, Investigative. Source: O*NET OnLine, 29-1215.00, checked 2026-10-07.
How to get there, step by step
A typical route. Many people reach the same job in different ways.
- Step 1
Science foundation
Biology, chemistry, physics and math; early healthcare exposure.
- Step 2
Bachelor's + pre-med
Any major with the pre-med courses, then the MCAT.
- Step 3
M.D. or D.O.
Four years; USMLE (M.D.) or COMLEX-USA (D.O.) exams begin here.
- Step 4
3 to 9 years
Paid supervised training in a specialty; fellowship adds 1 to 3 years.
- Goal
State medical license
Granted by a state medical board; board certification is optional.
High school preparation
- Biology, chemistry and physics (AP or honors where offered)
- Calculus or statistics
- Strong writing and speaking skills
- Volunteering or shadowing in healthcare to test your interest early
Course suggestions are Margdarshan's guidance; what you can take depends on your school. See the high school guide for GPA, AP and dual enrollment.
Degrees and what you study
A bachelor's degree, then 4 years of medical school (M.D. or D.O.), then 3 to 9 years of internship and residency depending on the specialty.
Costs and aid: see College & Money. Important qualities BLS lists for physicians and surgeons: communication skills, compassion, detail oriented, dexterity, leadership skills, organizational skills, patience, physical stamina, problem-solving skills.
State medical license (physician)
Granted by state medical boards. Each state medical board sets its own licensure rules. Passing USMLE or COMLEX-USA alone does not grant a license.
Not always required: Board certification is not required to practice (BLS), though it can widen job options.
Full step-by-step licensing route →Why demand is changing
BLS points to more older adults needing complex care, rising chronic illness such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, and growing demand for psychiatric care — while an expected decline in the child population may limit demand for pediatricians.
About as fast as average
Physicians and surgeons
Average over the decade, including replacements
Studying from outside the U.S.? Education and immigration are separate pathways — see the international student guide.
Advice for getting in
Margdarshan's guidance, based on the data above.
- Plan the money before you apply: with Grad PLUS ending for new borrowers, federal loans may not cover a full cost of attendance.
- Get real exposure — shadowing and clinical volunteering show admissions committees (and you) that you understand the work.
- Specialty choice changes pay a lot: BLS medians range from $210,040 for general pediatricians to $559,030 for pediatric surgeons.
Frequently asked questions
Related career pathways
Where these facts come from
Official sources only, checked on the dates shown.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physicians and surgeons checked 2026-10-07
- O*NET OnLine: 29-1215.00 · U.S. Department of Labor checked 2026-10-07
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates via the BLS Public Data API checked 2026-10-07
- Occupational Outlook Handbook · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics checked 2026-10-07
- About the USMLE · USMLE (FSMB and NBME) checked 2026-10-07
- COMLEX-USA · National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners checked 2026-10-07
- The MCAT Exam Score Scale · Association of American Medical Colleges checked 2026-10-07