Podiatrists
Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.
What it pays
Podiatrists earn a median of $77.07/hr — about $160,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $31.74/hr; the top 10% earn $148.88/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
Podiatrists earn a median of $77.07/hr — about $160,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $31.74/hr; the top 10% earn $148.88/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- 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.
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; you're around people constantly; 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 0% of podiatrists are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are analytical, hands-on and people-focused.
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Quick questions
- How much does a podiatrist make?
- The median pay is $77.07 per hour — roughly $160,500 a year, with the real range running from about $31.74/hr (10th percentile) to $148.88/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a podiatrist?
- The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
- What does a podiatrist actually do all day?
- 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.
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.
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.