Physicians (Pathologists)
O*NET title: Physicians, Pathologists
Diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids. Includes medical examiners.
Also called: Anatomic Pathologist, Animal Pathologist, Autopsy Pathologist, Chemical Pathologist, Clinical Pathologist, Cytologist
Median pay
$312,400
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$92,540 – $449,970
People employed
11,110
Holland code
IRC
Investigative · Realistic · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 2.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 3.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 4.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 5.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 6.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 7.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 8.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Exposure to disease or infection
Physicians (Pathologists) pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (33 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What physicians (pathologists) do
- 01Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities.
- 02Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology.
- 03Write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions.
- 04Communicate pathologic findings to surgeons or other physicians.
- 05Identify the etiology, pathogenesis, morphological change, and clinical significance of diseases.
- 06Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in pathology.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
- Science
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from physicians (pathologists)
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists59% · −67%
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists55% · group pay
- Geneticists54% · group pay
- Biologists51% · group pay
- Microbiologists51% · −72%
Majors that lead here
- Medicine
- Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy
- Medical Toxicology Fellowship Program
- Dermatopathology Fellowship Program
- Combined Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Residency Program
- Anatomic Pathology Residency Program
- Clinical Pathology Residency Program
- Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine Fellowship Program
- Chemical Pathology Fellowship Program
- Cytopathology Fellowship Program
- Forensic Pathology Fellowship Program
- Hematological Pathology Fellowship Program
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.