Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and adress health maintenance.
Education and Certification Requirements
Physicians and surgeons typically need a bachelor’s degree as well as a degree from a medical school, which takes an additional 4 years to complete. Depending on their specialty, they also need 3+ years in internship and residency programs. There are two types of medical schools Medical Doctor (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O).
UIUC students preparing for health-related careers should consult Health Professions Advising at the Career Center for help in identifying appropriate prerequisite courses, preparing for professional school exams, and learning how to construct an effective professional school application.
Pay
Compensation for physicians varies with type of practice; in 2020, general physicians received total median annual compensation of $210,960. Surgeons earned a median annual wage of $251,650.
Job Outlook
Employment of physicians is projected to grow 4 percent by 2029; about as fast as the average for all occupations