They prescribe and give medication. Physicians have among the highest average annual earnings of any occupational group. Earnings vary according to specialty, the number of years in practice, geographic region, hours worked, and the physicians's skill, personality, and professional reputitation. Newly qualified physicians who establish their own practice must make a sizable financial investment to equip a modern office. During the first years of independent practice, physicians probably earn little more than the minimum needed to pay expenses.
Most applicants have a bachelor's degree and many have advanced degrees.
Typical medical school programs are four years. Physicians seeking certification in a specialty spend from three to six years in advanced residency training followed by two years or more of practice in the specialty.