Since this thread is based upon sample job scenarios, let me jump in the fray.....
1. A recent graduate of our program is currently working 4 days a week, and one weekend a month and is being renumerated at 140k + benefits including 4wk vacation, and 2 weeks of CME. No OB. Works from 8-5:30 pm. Loving every minute of it.
2. Another guy joined an established practice, works 5 days a week, weekend calls by PAs, looking to pull in around 200k. ( Admittedly, this was an unusual situation, most FPs dont start at that figure.)
3. One of the current third year resident just signed a contract offering 135k plus 15000 for signing bonus/moving expenses, plus 25k per year for 4 years ( for loan repayment). He is scheduled to work 4 days a week for three weeks, and 6 days for one week of the month.
4. Several of the recent graduates have joined ERs at small/mid sized towns and are, for the most part, getting paid anywhere from 70 to 120 bucks an hour. If one works 4 12-hour shifts per week, that means anywhere from 160 to 250k per year. Most of the ER residents prefer to stay in metropolitan locales, hence there are countless jobs out there in small/rural towns.
5. Coming to the point about FPs being offered 80-90k, that too is a reality, especially in cities like LA, San Diego, Seattle etc, where a) there is oversaturation of physicians, and b) easy accesibility to peds/IM/psych etc.
Typically, FPs practicing in rural/underserved areas end up doing well financially. A town of 10,000 may not be able to support a cardiologist, or ENT, but they sure can utilize a FP.
So, if you are really interested in FP, by all means, go ahead and apply, you would never go hungry, as long as you are willing to be flexible about practice location.