How much does a physicians, pathologist make?

The median pay is $150.19 per hour — roughly $312,500 a year, with the real range running from about $44.49/hr (10th percentile) to $216.33/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a physicians, pathologist?

The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

What does a physicians, pathologist actually do all day?

Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities. Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology. Write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions.

Health Care

Physicians, Pathologists

Diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids. Includes medical examiners.

What it pays
Physicians, Pathologists earn a median of $150.19/hr — about $312,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $44.49/hr; the top 10% earn $216.33/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities.
Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology.
Write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions.
Communicate pathologic findings to surgeons or other physicians.
Identify the etiology, pathogenesis, morphological change, and clinical significance of diseases.
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in pathology.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work is mostly indoors; time pressure is a real part of the job; it rewards working independently; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 4.5% of physicians, pathologists are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are analytical, hands-on and organized and detail-focused.

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Quick questions

How much does a physicians, pathologist make?: The median pay is $150.19 per hour — roughly $312,500 a year, with the real range running from about $44.49/hr (10th percentile) to $216.33/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a physicians, pathologist?: The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
What does a physicians, pathologist actually do all day?: Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities. Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology. Write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.