The median pay for Podiatrists is $160,300 a year ($77.07/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 2.0% through 2035, with about 200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 29-1081
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Podiatrist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $160,300a year, or $77.07/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $66KTop 10% $310K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.0%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 20010,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202510K
- Projected 203510.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 10K Projected 2035 10.2K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school0.7%
- Professional degree14.1%
- Doctorate52.9%
- Post-doctoral training32.4%
Highest education held by podiatrists Segment Value High school 0.7% Professional degree 14.1% Doctorate 52.9% Post-doctoral training 32.4%
Also advertised as: Attending Physician, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (DPM and Surgery), Doctor Podiatric Medicine (DPM), Foot and Ankle Surgeon, Physician.
Pay
How much do Podiatrists make?
Every podiatrist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$160,300
Middle half earn $103,730 to $225,910
- 10th
- $66,010
- 25th
- $103,730
- 75th
- $225,910
- 90th
- $309,670
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $66,010 |
| 25th | $103,730 |
| Median | $160,300 |
| 75th | $225,910 |
| 90th | $309,670 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $160,300
- Median hourly wage
- $77.07/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $175,480
- People employed
- 9,680
Versus all US occupations
At $160,300, Podiatrists earn 214% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $109,320 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $102,760, this is 56% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $309,670 or more while the bottom 10% earn $66,010, a gap of 4.7×. 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 94% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
District of Columbia posts the highest raw median ($265,740), but once local prices are taken into account Oklahoma leads at $288,446 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Podiatrists 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $265,740 | $241,799 | N/A |
| 2Minnesota | $261,180 | $264,832 | 130 |
| 3Oklahoma | $253,380 | $288,446 | 60 |
| 4New Hampshire | $250,070 | $240,071 | 70 |
| 5Washington | $232,970 | $217,703 | 140 |
| 6Massachusetts | $217,700 | $205,849 | 170 |
| 7North Carolina | $215,420 | $228,378 | 240 |
| 8Connecticut | $212,760 | $205,347 | 170 |
| 9Tennessee | $212,470 | $231,272 | 70 |
| 10Oregon | $207,430 | $200,685 | 170 |
Job outlook
Is Podiatrist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +2.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Podiatrists | +2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Podiatrists to change 2.0% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 200 openings are projected each year, 2.0% of the 10,000 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Despite limited employment growth, about 200 openings for podiatrists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Most 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.
The U.S. population continues to age and to see an increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. As a result, people will continue to have mobility and foot-related problems, and podiatrists will be needed to treat many of these conditions. However, demand for podiatrists is expected to be limited because many patients may acquire services from a non-podiatrist physician or other appropriate caregiver.
Getting in
How to become a Podiatrist
Podiatrists must earn a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree and complete a 3-year residency program. Every state requires podiatrists to be licensed.
- 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 podiatrists.
- Doctoral Degree52.9%
- Post-Doctoral Training32.4%
- First Professional Degree14.1%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)0.7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 52.9% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 32.4% |
| First Professional Degree | 14.1% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 0.7% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Podiatrist do?
Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.
Podiatrists diagnose illnesses, treat injuries, and perform surgery for people with foot, ankle, and lower leg problems.
Day-to-day tasks
- Treat bone, muscle, and joint disorders affecting the feet and ankles.
- Diagnose diseases and deformities of the foot using medical histories, physical examinations, x-rays, and laboratory test results.
- Advise patients about treatments and foot care techniques necessary for prevention of future problems.
- Prescribe medications, corrective devices, physical therapy, or surgery.
- Surgically treat conditions such as corns, calluses, ingrown nails, tumors, shortened tendons, bunions, cysts, or abscesses.
- Refer patients to physicians when symptoms indicative of systemic disorders, such as arthritis or diabetes, are observed in feet and legs.
- Correct deformities by means of plaster casts and strapping.
- Educate the public about the benefits of foot care through techniques such as speaking engagements, advertising, and other forums.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most podiatrists work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Work schedules may vary and include evenings or weekends to accommodate patients. Some podiatrists, such as those who work in urgent-care facilities, may need to be on call for emergencies. Self-employed podiatrists or those who own their practice may have flexibility in setting their own hours.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-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 dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
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.
Where podiatrists work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Offices of other health practitioners59%
- Offices of physicians17%
- Federal government, excluding postal service10%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Offices of other health practitioners | 59% |
| Offices of physicians | 17% |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 10% |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 8% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Learning4.0
- Writing3.9
- Monitoring3.9
- Science3.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 4.0 |
| Writing | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.9 |
| Science | 3.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness3.9
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Coordination3.4
- Service Orientation3.3
- Systems Analysis3.1
- Systems Evaluation3.1
- Instructing3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Coordination | 3.4 |
| Service Orientation | 3.3 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.1 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Electronic mail software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Internet browser 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 Podiatrist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Podiatrist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 5 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 3 |
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.
- Investigative5.8
- Realistic5.3
- Social4.9
- Conventional3.3
- Enterprising2.1
- Artistic1.7
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 Podiatrist
O*NET related occupations
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$265,930median a year
Most earn $69K to $452K
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More healthcare practitioners and technical careers
Median annual pay, with podiatrists highlighted
- Anesthesiologist$391,490
- Podiatrist$160,300
- 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 |
| Podiatrist | $160,300 |
| 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
Lists Podiatrist appears on
Questions
Podiatrist: frequently asked questions
How much do Podiatrists make?
Podiatrists earn a median of $160,300 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 214% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $77.07/hr. The middle half earn between $103,730 and $225,910. The top 10% earn $309,670 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Podiatrist?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Podiatrists. BLS also lists internship/residency as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 52.9% hold doctoral degree.
Is Podiatrist a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 2.0% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Podiatrist do?
Podiatrists diagnose illnesses, treat injuries, and perform surgery for people with foot, ankle, and lower leg problems. A core O*NET task: treat bone, muscle, and joint disorders affecting the feet and ankles. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Web page creation and editing software.
Which states pay Podiatrists the most?
The highest state medians for Podiatrists are District of Columbia ($265,740), Minnesota ($261,180), Oklahoma ($253,380) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Oklahoma moves to the top at $288,446.
What personality type suits a Podiatrist?
O*NET scores Podiatrists highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Social 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 the closest types are ISTJ, ISTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.