Physicians, Pathologists earn a median of $312,400 per year ($150.19/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 4.8% through 2035, with about 300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 29-1222
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Pathologist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $312,400a year, or $150.19/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $93KTop 10% $450K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +4.8%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+4.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +4.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 30011,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202511.8K
- Projected 203512.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 11.8K Projected 2035 12.4K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Master's6%
- Professional degree2.7%
- Doctorate29.2%
- Post-doctoral training62%
Highest education held by physicians, pathologists Segment Value Master's 6% Professional degree 2.7% Doctorate 29.2% Post-doctoral training 62%
Also advertised as: Anatomic Pathologist, Cytopathologist, Dermatopathologist, Forensic Pathologist, Hematopathologist, Neuropathologist.
Pay
How much do Physicians, Pathologists make?
Every pathologist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$312,400
Middle half earn $186,300 to $372,780
- 10th
- $92,540
- 25th
- $186,300
- 75th
- $372,780
- 90th
- $449,970
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $92,540 |
| 25th | $186,300 |
| Median | $312,400 |
| 75th | $372,780 |
| 90th | $449,970 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $312,400
- Median hourly wage
- $150.19/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $285,420
- People employed
- 11,110
Versus all US occupations
At $312,400, Physicians, Pathologists earn 513% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $261,420 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $102,760, this is 204% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $449,970 or more while the bottom 10% earn $92,540, a gap of 4.9×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 99% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Pennsylvania posts the highest raw median ($413,370), but once local prices are taken into account West Virginia leads at $447,021 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Physicians, Pathologists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Pennsylvania | $413,370 | $423,656 | 210 |
| 2West Virginia | $400,070 | $447,021 | 50 |
| 3Nevada | $384,350 | $384,431 | 40 |
| 4Illinois | $381,770 | $381,930 | N/A |
| 5Minnesota | $362,270 | $367,336 | 550 |
| 6New Jersey | $355,970 | $327,163 | 230 |
| 7Texas | $345,830 | $356,316 | 1,530 |
| 8Indiana | $340,300 | $364,624 | 380 |
| 9Arizona | $338,290 | $336,015 | 270 |
| 10Kentucky | $324,390 | $359,798 | N/A |
Job outlook
Is Pathologist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +4.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Physicians, Pathologists | +4.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Physicians, Pathologists to change 4.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 600 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 300 openings are projected each year, 2.5% of the 11,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of physicians and surgeons is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of physicians and surgeons varies by occupation (see table). An increasing number of older adults, who are more likely than younger people to experience health problems and to need complex care, is expected to drive overall employment growth for physicians and surgeons.
In addition, increasing rates of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, will result in continued reliance on physicians and surgeons by large numbers of people seeking medical care.
Getting in
How to become a Pathologist
Physicians and surgeons typically need a bachelor’s degree as well as a degree from a medical school, which takes an additional 4 years to complete. Depending on their specialty, they also need 3 to 9 years in internship and residency programs. Subspecialization includes additional training in a fellowship of 1 to 3 years.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Doctoral or professional degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Internship/residency
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as physicians, pathologists.
- Post-Doctoral Training62%
- Doctoral Degree29.2%
- Master's Degree6%
- First Professional Degree2.7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Post-Doctoral Training | 62% |
| Doctoral Degree | 29.2% |
| Master's Degree | 6% |
| First Professional Degree | 2.7% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Pathologist do?
Diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids. Includes medical examiners.
Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and address health maintenance. Physicians examine patients; take medical histories; prescribe medications; and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They often counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive healthcare. Surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries, such as broken bones; diseases, such as cancerous tumors; and deformities, such as cleft palates.
There are two types of physicians, with similar degrees: M.D. (Medical Doctor) and D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). Both use the same methods of treatment, including drugs and surgery, but D.O.s place additional emphasis on the body's musculoskeletal system, preventive medicine, and holistic (whole-person) patient care. D.O.s are most likely to be primary care physicians, although they work in all specialties.
Day-to-day tasks
- Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology.
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in pathology.
- Consult with physicians about ordering and interpreting tests or providing treatments.
- Identify the etiology, pathogenesis, morphological change, and clinical significance of diseases.
- Educate physicians, students, and other personnel in medical laboratory professions, such as medical technology, cytotechnology, or histotechnology.
- Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities.
- Communicate pathologic findings to surgeons or other physicians.
- Write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most physicians and surgeons work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week. Many physicians and surgeons work long shifts, which may include irregular and overnight hours or being on call. Physicians and surgeons may travel between their offices and the hospital to care for patients. While on call, a physician may need to address a patient’s concerns over the phone or make an emergency visit to another location, such as a nursing home.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.3
- Writing4.1
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Active Listening4.0
- Science4.0
- Active Learning4.0
- Speaking3.9
- Monitoring3.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.3 |
| Writing | 4.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Science | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving4.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Instructing3.3
- Time Management3.3
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Management of Personnel Resources3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Persuasion3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 |
| Instructing | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Accounting software
- Billing and invoicing software
- Data base management system software
- Information retrieval or search software
- Medical software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Pathologist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Pathologist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 7 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative7.0
- Realistic4.9
- Conventional4.7
- Social3.6
- Enterprising1.8
- Artistic1.4
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Pathologist
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist
$62,930median a year
Most earn $39K to $101K
+2.7%Bachelor's - Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More healthcare practitioners and technical careers
Median annual pay, with physicians, pathologists highlighted
- Anesthesiologist$391,490
- Pathologist$312,400
- Physician Assistant$135,880
- Nurse Practitioner$132,300
- Physical Therapist$102,760
- Dental Hygienist$98,100
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer$96,590
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician$80,110
- Surgical Technologist$64,650
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist | $391,490 |
| Pathologist | $312,400 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 |
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician | $80,110 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Questions
Pathologist: frequently asked questions
How much do Physicians, Pathologists make?
Physicians, Pathologists earn a median of $312,400 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 513% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $150.19/hr. The middle half earn between $186,300 and $372,780. The top 10% earn $449,970 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Pathologist?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Physicians, Pathologists. BLS also lists internship/residency as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 62.0% hold post-doctoral training.
Is Pathologist a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4.8% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Pathologist do?
Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and address health maintenance. A core O*NET task: diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Physicians, Pathologists the most?
The highest state medians for Physicians, Pathologists are Pennsylvania ($413,370), West Virginia ($400,070), Nevada ($384,350) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, West Virginia moves to the top at $447,021.
What personality type suits a Pathologist?
O*NET scores Physicians, Pathologists highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.