Family Medicine vs Radiology: Salary, Lifestyle & Training (2026)
Choosing between Family Medicine and Radiology involves weighing compensation, training length, work-life balance, call responsibilities, and long-term career satisfaction. This comparison uses approved physician salary reports to help you make an informed decision.
See how Family Medicine Physician salaries, lifestyle metrics, and training requirements compare to Radiologist data from approved salary reports on SalaryDr. Family Medicine requires 3-year residency, while Radiology requires 5-year residency.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Family Medicine | Radiology |
|---|---|---|
| Median total pay | $300,000 → | $557,500 → |
| Middle 50% of pay | $272,000 – $333,000 | $500,000 – $600,000 |
| Approved reports | 159 | 117 |
| Training Length | 3-year residency | 5-year residency |
| Practitioner Title | Family Medicine Physician | Radiologist |
| Lifestyle Rating | See details below | See details below |
Salary figures on each specialty page are recomputed from approved physician salary reports as new reports are approved.
Training Pathway: Family Medicine vs Radiology
Family Medicine
3-year residency
Family Medicine residency is one of the shortest physician training pathways at three years, making it an attractive option for medical students who want to begin practicing sooner. Training covers broad outpatient and inpatient care with exposure to pediatrics, obstetrics, geriatrics, and procedural skills.
Radiology
5-year residency
Radiology residency is five years (including a transitional or preliminary year), with the majority of training focused on diagnostic imaging interpretation. Many radiologists pursue one-year fellowships in neuroradiology, interventional radiology, or musculoskeletal imaging.
Lifestyle & Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is one of the most important factors physicians weigh when choosing a specialty. Here is how Family Medicine and Radiology compare on key lifestyle dimensions.
Family Medicine
Generally predictable hours with limited call. Strong emphasis on continuity of care and long-term patient relationships.
- Average work week: 43 hours
- Take call: 66% of physicians
- Average PTO: 38 days/year
Radiology
Favorable lifestyle with growing remote-reading opportunities. Call varies by practice.
- Average work week: 46 hours
- Take call: 85% of physicians
- Average PTO: 91 days/year
Satisfaction & Lifestyle by the Numbers
Based on 276 approved physician salary reports across both specialties.
| Metric | Family Medicine | Radiology |
|---|---|---|
| Career Satisfaction | 3.6/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Would Choose Again | 76% | 89% |
| Avg Hours/Week | 43 | 46 |
| Takes Call | 66% | 85% |
| Avg Call Days/Month | — | — |
| Avg PTO Days/Year | 38 | 91 |
| Physician Submissions | 159 submissions | 117 submissions |
Practice Setting Distribution
Where Family Medicine and Radiology physicians work, based on approved salary reports. Practice setting significantly impacts both compensation and day-to-day lifestyle.
Family Medicine
Based on 159 approved reports
Radiology
Based on 117 approved reports
Career Outlook & Job Market
Family Medicine Outlook
Family Medicine faces a significant physician shortage, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The AAMC projects a shortfall of 17,800 to 48,000 primary care physicians by 2034, making job prospects strong with excellent geographic flexibility.
Radiology Outlook
Radiology demand has rebounded strongly, with AI augmentation creating new workflows rather than replacing radiologists. Teleradiology continues to expand practice flexibility and geographic independence.
Compensation Growth Trajectory
Physician salaries in both Family Medicine and Radiology typically increase with experience, with the largest jumps in the first 5-10 years post-training. Partnership or ownership in private practice can meaningfully accelerate earnings. For detailed breakdowns, explore the Family Medicine and Radiology salary-by-experience pages.
Explore Deeper Data
Benchmark Reports
Lifestyle & Satisfaction
Is It Worth It?
Training & Residency
Related Comparisons
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