Jobs Similar to Physicians (Pathologists)
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to physicians (pathologists), according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Radiologists, Veterinarians and Medical Scientists.
Physicians (Pathologists): $312,400 median pay · usual preparation: Graduate degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Physicians (Pathologists)) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RadiologistsSame group | 81% | $420,860+35% | Graduate degree |
| 2 | VeterinariansSame group | 80% | $130,100−58% | Graduate degree |
| 3 | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 80% | $103,410−67% | Graduate degree |
| 4 | Allergists and ImmunologistsSame group | 80% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 5 | Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 80% | $98,920Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 6 | UrologistsSame group | 80% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 7 | Geneticists | 79% | $98,920Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 8 | Microbiologists | 79% | $87,990−72% | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | OptometristsSame group | 79% | $136,570−56% | Graduate degree |
| 10 | PharmacistsSame group | 78% | $140,910−55% | Graduate degree |
| 11 | PodiatristsSame group | 78% | $160,300−49% | Graduate degree |
| 12 | Ophthalmologists, Except PediatricSame group | 78% | $300,080−4% | Graduate degree |
| 13 | DermatologistsSame group | 78% | $328,730+5% | Graduate degree |
| 14 | NeurologistsSame group | 77% | $248,560−20% | Graduate degree |
| 15 | Medical Dosimetrists | 77% | $147,470−53% | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansSame group | 77% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 17 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 77% | $256,560−18% | Graduate degree |
| 18 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsSame group | 77% | $292,910−6% | Graduate degree |
| 19 | Biologists | 76% | $98,920Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 20 | OrthodontistsSame group | 76% | $289,140−7% | Graduate degree |
- 1Radiologists
81% similar · $420,860 (+35%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Veterinarians
80% similar · $130,100 (−58%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 3Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
80% similar · $103,410 (−67%) · Graduate degree
- 4Allergists and Immunologists
80% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 5Molecular and Cellular Biologists
80% similar · $98,920 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 6Urologists
80% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 7Geneticists
79% similar · $98,920 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 8Microbiologists
79% similar · $87,990 (−72%) · Bachelor's degree
- 9Optometrists
79% similar · $136,570 (−56%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 10Pharmacists
78% similar · $140,910 (−55%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 11Podiatrists
78% similar · $160,300 (−49%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 12Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
78% similar · $300,080 (−4%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Dermatologists
78% similar · $328,730 (+5%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 14Neurologists
77% similar · $248,560 (−20%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 15Medical Dosimetrists
77% similar · $147,470 (−53%) · Bachelor's degree
- 16Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
77% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 17General Internal Medicine Physicians
77% similar · $256,560 (−18%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 18Obstetricians and Gynecologists
77% similar · $292,910 (−6%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 19Biologists
76% similar · $98,920 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 20Orthodontists
76% similar · $289,140 (−7%) · Graduate degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than physicians (pathologists).
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for physicians (pathologists) also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Questions about jobs like physicians (pathologists)
What jobs are most similar to physicians (pathologists)?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Radiologists (81% similar), Veterinarians (80% similar), Medical Scientists (80% similar), Allergists and Immunologists (80% similar) and Molecular and Cellular Biologists (80% similar).
Which jobs like physicians (pathologists) pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Radiologists ($420,860, +35%; usually a graduate degree) and Dermatologists ($328,730, +5%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with physicians (pathologists) ($312,400). Without more preparation than physicians (pathologists) usually need: Radiologists and Dermatologists.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.