Family Medicine Physicians vs Medical Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Family Medicine Physicians professionals earn $194,180 more per year than Medical Assistants professionals — that's 439.3% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Family Medicine Physicians$81,330 – N/A
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
$35,020$81,330
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Family Medicine Physicians | Medical Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $81,330 | $35,020 | +$46,310 |
| 25th Percentile | $167,580 | $37,610 | +$129,970 |
| Median (50th) | $238,380 | $44,200 | +$194,180 |
| 75th Percentile | N/A | $48,160 | N/A |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $57,830 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $256,830 | $44,720 | +$212,110 |
Employment Numbers
Family Medicine Physicians
107,950
employed nationwide
Medical Assistants
793,460
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Family Medicine Physicians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | $236,160 |
| Cleveland-Elyria, OH | $235,230 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $234,800 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $234,060 |
| Tucson, AZ | $225,970 |
Best Cities for Medical Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,570 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $59,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,850 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,040 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Family Medicine Physicians or Medical Assistants?
Family Medicine Physicians professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $194,180 (439.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Family Medicine Physicians?
Family Medicine Physicians salaries range from $81,330 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $238,380.
What is the salary range for Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
How many Family Medicine Physicians and Medical Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 107,950 Family Medicine Physicians positions and 793,460 Medical Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical Assistants to Family Medicine Physicians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Family Medicine Physicians has a median salary of $238,380 while Medical Assistants earns $44,200. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS