Internal medicine physicians and advanced practice providers are essential to patient care, as they diagnose and manage complex conditions that affect multiple organ systems.
So, how will these skilled clinicians be compensated in 2025? Staying informed about salary trends can help you make strategic career decisions, whether you’re considering negotiating a raise, exploring contract opportunities, or relocating to another state.
In this guide, we’ve gathered the latest salary data to provide a clear breakdown of compensation based on location, role, and employment type. If you’re weighing your options for career growth, here’s what you need to know about internal medicine physician and APP salaries in 2025.
How Internal Medicine Salaries Are Changing in 2025
Physician shortages, rising patient demand, and clinician burnout drive the need for more flexible staffing solutions. As a result, contract roles like moonlighting and locum tenens have become increasingly lucrative for physicians and APPs.
Telehealth is also growing as a flexible, high-earning option. According to Indeed, permanent telehealth physicians can earn up to $178 per hour, providing an alternative to in-person practice.
Top-Paying Locations for Internal Medicine Physicians and APPs
Your earning potential can vary significantly based on location. According to AMN Healthcare, some of the highest-paying areas in the US include:
- Large metropolitan cities like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago where demand is high.
- Rural and underserved areas, where hospitals offer financial incentives to attract physicians. For example, internal medicine physicians earn as much as $402,000 annually in Alaska due to persistent provider shortages.
- Southern states are hardest hit by the physician shortage. To attract clinicians, they often offer higher salaries and signing bonuses.
Here are some of the highest-paying cities for internal medicine physicians:
Source: Indeed.com
Below is a breakdown of permanent internal medicine physician and APP salaries by state:
Internal Medicine Physician and APP Salaries: Salary by State
Source: Indeed.com and Zippia.com
How Experience Impacts Your Internal Medicine Salary
While experience typically leads to higher pay, salary increases for internal medicine physicians are sometimes modest. According to Salary.com:
- Physicians with less than one year of experience earn a median salary of $241,400.
- Those with eight or more years of experience see a slight increase, earning approximately $248,972 annually.
If you aren’t adequately compensated for your experience, consider telehealth, locum tenens, or moonlighting as income-boosting career options. These positions are in high demand, especially for experienced physicians and APPs.
Highest-Paying Internal Medicine Specialties
General internists provide essential patient care, but the broad nature of their work means they often are not compensated to the degree of other physicians and APPs. However, pursuing a subspecialty can significantly increase your salary. Here are a few high-paying internal medicine specialty salaries for permanent and locum tenens roles.
Some specialties earn even more through temporary clinical work. Emergency medicine physicians can earn around $320 per hour, CRNAs $220, and OBGYNs $200.
No matter your field, employment structure plays a significant role in shaping your career path. Flexibility, earning potential, and long-term goals should all influence your decision.
Permanent Salaries Source: Indeed.com
How Your Employment Type Affects Your Salary
Your compensation is also influenced by the type of employment you choose. While some clinicians prefer the stability of permanent positions, others take advantage of the higher earning potential and flexibility of contract roles like locum tenens or moonlighting.
- According to ZipRecruiter, permanent internal medicine physicians earn an average of $220,000 annually (or $106 per hour).
- Locum tenens internal medicine physicians earn significantly more, averaging $284,795 annually, or about 30% more.
- Permanent internal medicine nurse practitioners earn an average salary of $209,007 (or $100 per hour).
- Permanent internal medicine physician assistants earn $120,212.
Finding the Right Fit
Choosing your career path isn’t just about the paycheck—it’s about finding a role that offers financial security, work-life balance, and long-term satisfaction. Whether you prefer the stability of a full-time position or the higher earning potential of locum tenens, understanding your options can help you make an informed decision.
At OnCall Solutions, we connect permanent, moonlighting, and locum tenens internal medicine physicians and APPs with rewarding opportunities at the best rates available. We support you with job placement, contract negotiation, and career advice.
Ready to take the next step? Let’s find the right fit for you.
