Should I Choose Internal Medicine? Real Physician Decision Guide (2026) | SalaryDr
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  3. Internal Medicine
  4. Should I Choose?

Should I Choose Internal Medicine?

Real decision-making data from 92 verified Internal Medicine physicians. Here is what they actually think.

3.6/5
Avg Satisfaction
78%
Would Choose Again
58
Avg Hours/Week
$207K
Avg Compensation

The Verdict

78%
of Internal Medicine physicians would choose the specialty again

A solid 78% of Internal Medicine physicians say they would choose the specialty again.

What Physicians Love About Internal Medicine

“I am glad my program let me in. It’s the best kept secret in the southeast. ”
— Internal Medicine Resident
“Great work-life balance. No nights. No ICU. No procedures.”
— Internal Medicine Physician

What to Watch Out For in Internal Medicine

“Location, its in rural Ohio so its not accessible to many thing and you feel trapped in a town. ”
— Internal Medicine Resident

Work-Life Balance Reality in Internal Medicine

58
average hours per week reported by Internal Medicine physicians
“7am to 3pm floors, prelim IM”
— Internal Medicine Resident
“I feel like work/life balance is perfect.”
— Internal Medicine Resident
“It’s residency so it is what it is. Was not primary choice of specialty, but working towards fellowship takes up all free time.”
— Internal Medicine Resident

How Internal Medicine Compares

See how Internal Medicine stacks up against other popular specialties.

Internal MedicineCurrent
Satisfaction:3.6/5
Choose Again:78%
Hours:58
Comp:$207K
Pediatrics
Satisfaction:4/5
Choose Again:86%
General Dentist
Satisfaction:3.5/5
Choose Again:84%
Cardiology
Satisfaction:3.9/5
Choose Again:88%
SpecialtySatisfactionWould Choose Again

Negotiation Tips From Internal Medicine Physicians

“I was new so and I tried to negotiate for higher salary but he straight up said no.”
— Internal Medicine Physician
“Be bold and believe in yourself. My Mayo clinic residency has been instrumental to not only my success financially, but more importantly, my clinical competency. ”
— Internal Medicine Physician

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Internal Medicine worth it?

Based on 92 verified physician responses, Internal Medicine physicians report 3.6/5 average satisfaction and 78% say they would choose the specialty again. Average total compensation is $207K. Whether it is worth it depends on your priorities, but the data suggests most physicians are satisfied with their choice.

What's the work-life balance like in Internal Medicine?

Internal Medicine physicians work an average of 58 hours per week. One physician shared: "7am to 3pm floors, prelim IM"

How much do Internal Medicine physicians make?

Based on SalaryDr data, Internal Medicine physicians earn an average total compensation of $207K. With an average of 58 hours per week, that translates to roughly $69/hour.

Still deciding? Hear from more Internal Medicine physicians

Explore detailed lifestyle insights or contribute your own experience to help others make their decision.

View Full Internal Medicine InsightsShare Your Experience

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Specialties
  • All Physician Salaries
  • Salaries by City
  • General Surgery
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Cardiology
  • Salaries by State
  • Residency Salaries
For Dentists
  • All Dentist Salaries
  • Dental Salary Database
  • Dentist Salary by State
  • Submit Dental Salary
  • Dental Calculator
Tools
  • Salary Comparison
  • Financial Calculators
  • Take Home Calculator
  • Offer Analyzer
  • Compare Specialties
  • Salary Negotiation
Salary Data
  • Physician Careers
  • Salary Benchmarks
  • Salary Trends
  • Compensation Analysis
  • Lifestyle Insights
  • Compensation Components
  • Annual Report
  • Benchmark Reports
Community
  • SalaryDen
  • Latest Discussions
  • Submit Your Salary
  • Share Feedback
  • Salary FAQ
  • Physician Resources
Company
  • About
  • Methodology
  • Contact
  • Partner with Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Community Guidelines
  • DMCA Policy
  • Data Retention
  • Cookie Policy
  • Safe Harbor
  • Data Requests

Follow Us

  • TikTok (@salarydr)
  • Instagram (@salarydr_)
  • X (Twitter) (@salarydr)

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Avg Hours
Avg Comp
Internal MedicineCurrent3.6/578%58$207K
Pediatrics4/586%46$345K
General Dentist3.5/584%37$359K
Cardiology3.9/588%53$730K