Physicians, Pathologists
Physicians, Pathologists (SOC 29-1222) earn a median $312,400 a year ($150.19 an hour) in the United States, with 11,110 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Pennsylvania.
What physicians, pathologists do
Pathologists diagnose diseases and conduct laboratory tests using organs, body tissues and fluids, and the SOC counts medical examiners in this code. They examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry and molecular biology. They analyze and interpret results of tests such as microbial or parasite tests, urine analyses, hormonal assays, fine needle aspirations and polymerase chain reactions. They write pathology reports summarizing the analyses, results and conclusions, and communicate findings to surgeons and other physicians. They also consult with physicians about ordering and interpreting tests, and identify the cause, development, structural change and clinical significance of diseases. Keeping up with the literature and with colleagues is part of the job. About three in five respondents report post-doctoral training. Labels like anatomic, clinical, forensic, autopsy and hematopathologist, as well as cytopathologist and dermatopathologist, show the subspecialties.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report postdoctoral training as the typical level of education for this occupation (62 percent).
Also called: Anatomic Pathologist, Animal Pathologist, Autopsy Pathologist, Chemical Pathologist, Clinical Pathologist.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $44.49 | $89.57 | $150.19 | $179.22 | $216.33 | $137.22 | 11,110 |
| Annual | $92,540 | $186,300 | $312,400 | $372,780 | $449,970 | $285,420 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where physicians, pathologists earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Pennsylvania | Hourly | $89.91 | $143.74 | $198.74 | $218.95 | $218.95 | $177.48 | 210 | 0.04 | 0.49 |
| Annual | $187,010 | $298,970 | $413,370 | $455,420 | $455,420 | $369,170 | ||||
| West Virginia | Hourly | $30.94 | $30.94 | $192.34 | $193.59 | $196.15 | $141.90 | 50 | 0.07 | 0.91 |
| Annual | $64,350 | $64,350 | $400,070 | $402,660 | $407,990 | $295,150 | ||||
| Nevada | Hourly | $29.69 | $67.09 | $184.78 | $184.88 | $184.88 | $120.06 | 40 | 0.03 | 0.39 |
| Annual | $61,750 | $139,540 | $384,350 | $384,550 | $384,550 | $249,720 | ||||
| Illinois | Hourly | $65.86 | $129.38 | $183.55 | $262.78 | $262.86 | $183.44 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $136,990 | $269,110 | $381,770 | $546,570 | $546,740 | $381,560 | ||||
| Minnesota | Hourly | $38.87 | $174.17 | $174.17 | $234.13 | $234.13 | $177.34 | 550 | 0.19 | 2.62 |
| Annual | $80,860 | $362,270 | $362,270 | $486,990 | $486,990 | $368,860 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $50.84 | $80.34 | $89.57 | $153.28 | $186.42 | $106.29 | 1,790 | 0.10 | 1.37 |
| Annual | $105,750 | $167,110 | $186,300 | $318,820 | $387,760 | $221,080 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $50.75 | $116.64 | $166.26 | $183.49 | $196.06 | $148.20 | 1,530 | 0.11 | 1.52 |
| Annual | $105,560 | $242,610 | $345,830 | $381,660 | $407,800 | $308,250 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $44.08 | $99.79 | $154.59 | $204.89 | $237.24 | $148.88 | 1,220 | 0.13 | 1.76 |
| Annual | $91,680 | $207,560 | $321,550 | $426,160 | $493,460 | $309,660 | ||||
| Ohio | Hourly | $34.25 | $58.65 | $148.79 | $202.29 | $216.79 | $139.49 | 600 | 0.11 | 1.52 |
| Annual | $71,230 | $121,980 | $309,480 | $420,760 | $450,920 | $290,130 | ||||
| Minnesota | Hourly | $38.87 | $174.17 | $174.17 | $234.13 | $234.13 | $177.34 | 550 | 0.19 | 2.62 |
| Annual | $80,860 | $362,270 | $362,270 | $486,990 | $486,990 | $368,860 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | Hourly | $67.09 | $67.09 | $184.88 | $184.88 | $184.88 | $143.10 | 30 | 0.03 | 0.37 |
| Annual | $139,540 | $139,540 | $384,550 | $384,550 | $384,550 | $297,640 | ||||
| Corpus Christi, TX | Hourly | $42.57 | $133.03 | $179.53 | $196.06 | $196.06 | $152.92 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $88,550 | $276,710 | $373,420 | $407,800 | $407,800 | $318,070 | ||||
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Hourly | $45.61 | $59.47 | $175.88 | $176.70 | $226.84 | $145.13 | 90 | 0.03 | 0.42 |
| Annual | $94,870 | $123,690 | $365,830 | $367,540 | $471,840 | $301,870 | ||||
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | Hourly | $36.46 | $92.27 | $174.34 | $180.33 | $180.33 | $140.30 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $75,830 | $191,920 | $362,620 | $375,090 | $375,090 | $291,820 | ||||
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | Hourly | $92.24 | $140.22 | $174.26 | $204.01 | $248.81 | $166.11 | 100 | 0.07 | 0.99 |
| Annual | $191,860 | $291,660 | $362,470 | $424,330 | $517,520 | $345,500 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $44.08 | $85.84 | $157.58 | $204.02 | $237.24 | $149.30 | 1,140 | 0.12 | 1.68 |
| Annual | $91,680 | $178,540 | $327,770 | $424,350 | $493,460 | $310,550 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $61.54 | $106.96 | $152.00 | $171.85 | $177.75 | $139.48 | 480 | 0.12 | 1.65 |
| Annual | $127,990 | $222,470 | $316,150 | $357,440 | $369,730 | $290,110 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $45.80 | $98.29 | $153.53 | $186.43 | $211.83 | $143.62 | 330 | 0.05 | 0.74 |
| Annual | $95,260 | $204,430 | $319,340 | $387,760 | $440,610 | $298,740 | ||||
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | Hourly | # | # | # | # | # | # | 280 | 0.15 | 2.04 |
| Annual | # | # | # | # | # | # | ||||
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | Hourly | $103.91 | $156.60 | $164.47 | $164.76 | $172.80 | $150.76 | 260 | 0.23 | 3.26 |
| Annual | $216,130 | $325,730 | $342,090 | $342,700 | $359,420 | $313,590 | ||||
Top industries employing physicians, pathologists
Offices of Physicians employ 35.5% of physicians, pathologists nationally (3,940 jobs) at a median $312,140 a year ($150.07 an hour), followed by Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (28.3%) and General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (18.8%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offices of Physicians NAICS 621100 | 3,940 | 35.5% | $312,140 | $150.07 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories NAICS 621500 | 3,140 | 28.3% | $329,560 | $158.44 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals NAICS 622100 | 2,090 | 18.8% | $314,080 | $151.00 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools NAICS 611300 | 580 | 5.2% | $209,840 | $100.89 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999300 | 520 | 4.7% | $258,360 | $124.21 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (11,110). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Every state, by median wage
36 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania profile | $198.74 | $413,370 | $187,010 | $455,420 | 210 | 0.04 | 0.49 |
| 2 | West Virginia profile | $192.34 | $400,070 | $64,350 | $407,990 | 50 | 0.07 | 0.91 |
| 3 | Nevada profile | $184.78 | $384,350 | $61,750 | $384,550 | 40 | 0.03 | 0.39 |
| 4 | Illinois profile | $183.55 | $381,770 | $136,990 | $546,740 | ** | ** | ** |
| 5 | Minnesota profile | $174.17 | $362,270 | $80,860 | $486,990 | 550 | 0.19 | 2.62 |
| 6 | New Jersey profile | $171.14 | $355,970 | $75,340 | $422,520 | 230 | 0.05 | 0.76 |
| 7 | Texas profile | $166.26 | $345,830 | $105,560 | $407,800 | 1,530 | 0.11 | 1.52 |
| 8 | Indiana profile | $163.61 | $340,300 | $174,840 | $359,420 | 380 | 0.12 | 1.67 |
| 9 | Arizona profile | $162.64 | $338,290 | $97,920 | $506,410 | 270 | 0.08 | 1.18 |
| 10 | Kentucky profile | $155.96 | $324,390 | $208,420 | $341,420 | ** | ** | ** |
| 11 | Iowa profile | $155.51 | $323,460 | $82,150 | $350,950 | 80 | 0.05 | 0.75 |
| 12 | Rhode Island profile | $155.26 | $322,950 | $228,590 | $362,900 | ** | ** | ** |
| 13 | New York profile | $154.59 | $321,550 | $91,680 | $493,460 | 1,220 | 0.13 | 1.76 |
| 14 | Oklahoma profile | $152.81 | $317,850 | $201,280 | $412,160 | 130 | 0.07 | 1.03 |
| 15 | Florida profile | $150.72 | $313,510 | $67,740 | $477,310 | 370 | 0.04 | 0.53 |
| 16 | Ohio profile | $148.79 | $309,480 | $71,230 | $450,920 | 600 | 0.11 | 1.52 |
| 17 | Michigan profile | $145.71 | $303,070 | $81,190 | $373,430 | 140 | 0.03 | 0.44 |
| 18 | Washington profile | $144.56 | $300,680 | $93,310 | $460,870 | 200 | 0.06 | 0.79 |
| 19 | Colorado profile | $141.59 | $294,510 | $77,330 | $442,560 | 50 | 0.02 | 0.23 |
| 20 | Massachusetts profile | $137.13 | $285,240 | $97,640 | $459,920 | 320 | 0.09 | 1.24 |
| 21 | Missouri profile | $125.88 | $261,830 | $196,360 | $371,290 | ** | ** | ** |
| 22 | Mississippi profile | $125.76 | $261,570 | $228,870 | $350,420 | 50 | 0.04 | 0.62 |
| 23 | Maryland profile | $121.96 | $253,670 | $125,560 | $396,980 | 70 | 0.02 | 0.33 |
| 24 | North Carolina profile | $119.69 | $248,940 | $220,330 | $420,870 | 340 | 0.07 | 0.96 |
| 25 | Virginia profile | $115.76 | $240,780 | $134,790 | $347,470 | 110 | 0.03 | 0.38 |
| 26 | South Carolina profile | $113.92 | $236,950 | $168,110 | $452,510 | 80 | 0.04 | 0.49 |
| 27 | Nebraska profile | $110.16 | $229,140 | $71,000 | $465,980 | 90 | 0.09 | 1.25 |
| 28 | Kansas profile | $107.83 | $224,280 | $127,770 | $480,090 | 30 | 0.02 | 0.32 |
| 29 | Arkansas profile | $102.93 | $214,100 | $194,860 | $295,420 | 130 | 0.10 | 1.34 |
| 30 | Georgia profile | $101.83 | $211,800 | $54,610 | $365,740 | 170 | 0.03 | 0.47 |
| 31 | Vermont profile | $90.50 | $188,250 | $62,780 | $492,180 | ** | ** | ** |
| 32 | California profile | $89.57 | $186,300 | $105,750 | $387,760 | 1,790 | 0.10 | 1.37 |
| 33 | Wisconsin profile | $40.20 | $83,610 | $47,470 | $397,980 | 130 | 0.05 | 0.62 |
| – | New Hampshire profile | * | * | * | * | 70 | 0.10 | 1.40 |
| – | North Dakota profile | # | # | # | # | 30 | 0.08 | 1.05 |
| – | Oregon profile | # | # | # | # | 150 | 0.08 | 1.08 |
Part of Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 29-1222 Physicians, Pathologists.
#- Equal to or greater than the top code (BLS publishes no wage above it).
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 29-1222, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 29-1222.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.