A pathologist is a specialist physician who diagnoses and manages human disease by using laboratory methods. Generally, pathologists can work as teachers, diagnosticians, and investigators. The salary for pathologists is very competitive and there are numerous job benefits. Let’s take a look at the job description, education and training requirements, and the salary of pathologists in more detail.

Pathology is described as the scientific study of bodily fluids, blood and human tissues to diagnose various types of disease. Basically, there are two major branches of pathology, which are anatomic pathology and clinical pathology. Anatomic pathology involves the study of tissues taken from a person who may be dead or alive so an anatomic pathologist may have to perform autopsy or surgery. Clinical pathology involves the scientific study of bodily fluids in a laboratory. Clinical pathologists have to study specimens so that they can determine the specific diseases suffered by patients. On the other hand, pathologists who work as teachers will have quite a different job description from pathologists who work as diagnosticians or investigators. Of course, pathologists who work as teachers may also be involved in laboratory work, helping to expand the research and technological fields of pathology. Investigative pathologists have to perform autopsies to find out the cause of death, helping investigators to gather information or evidence in criminal cases.

Since the job of a pathologist is highly specialized, the education and training requirements are quite high. To be admitted to a medical school, you will need at least 3 years of undergraduate studies but in most cases, applicants have a bachelor’s degree. Some of the science courses which are required include chemistry, biology, and physics. To find an credited medical school in the United States, prospective students can use the Liaison Committee on Medical Education which states that only accredited medical programs are accepted by most state licensing boards. After graduating from medical school, you have to pass the US Medical Licensing Examination to earn your license. Alternatively, you may also sit for the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam. Upon obtaining your license, you have to take up a pathology residence which includes training in image analysis, anatomic or clinical pathology, cytogenetics, protein biochemistry, autopsy, and molecular diagnosis. Pathologists who wish to receive more specialized training may opt to join a fellowship.

As with all other jobs, the salary of a pathologist is related to experience, location, employer, job responsibilities, and other factors. The starting salary of a pathologist is estimated to be more than $125,000 per year. The median income for pathologists of all ages in the US is $220,000 per year. Generally, pathologists below the age of 40 can expect to make about $180,000 per year and pathologists between the ages of 50 to 59 can expect to make about $250,000 a year. Pathologists who work in New York, California, and Florida make more than pathologists who work in North Carolina, Texas, and Pennsylvania. It’s also found that male pathologists typically earn a higher average salary than female pathologists.

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