Physicians, Pathologists
Diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids. Includes medical examiners.
Also called: Anatomic Pathologist · Cytopathologist · Dermatopathologist · Forensic Pathologist · Hematopathologist · Neuropathologist
Median pay (national)
$239,200+
$83,930–$239,200+ (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
11,800
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.2%
~400 openings/yr
Typical entry
Doctoral or professional degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for physicians, pathologists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $239,200+ versus $83,930 at the bottom 10% — 2.8x. The median of $239,200+ leaves roughly 0% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.2% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 400 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 33 states with released data, Texas pays the most for this role (median $239,200, 0% vs the national median), while California sits lowest at $165,940 — a 44% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Writing, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Science
- Active Learning
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- 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.
- Educate physicians, students, and other personnel in medical laboratory professions, such as medical technology, cytotechnology, or histotechnology.
- Plan and supervise the work of the pathology staff, residents, or visiting pathologists.
- Write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions.
- Consult with physicians about ordering and interpreting tests or providing treatments.
- Analyze and interpret results from tests, such as microbial or parasite tests, urine analyses, hormonal assays, fine needle aspirations (FNAs), and polymerase chain reactions (PCRs).
Tools & technology
- SAP software
- Accounts receivables system software
- Anatomic pathology software
- Antek HealthWare LabDAQ
- Aspyra CyberLAB
- Aspyra CyberPATH
- Blood Bank Computer Systems Blood Bank Control System
- Blood bank information systems
- Cerner CoPathPlus
- Cerner Millennium PathNet
- Cerner Millennium PathNet Blood Bank Transfusion
- Cerner Millennium ProFit
- Clinical Information Systems CISLab CPS
- Clinical Software Solutions CLIN1 Suite
- ClinLab LIS
- ComBase
Knowledge areas
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Chemistry
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics