Physicians, Pathologists Salary
Physicians, Pathologists earn a median $239,200+ a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
U.S. median
$239,200+
BLS top-coded wage
Range
$92,540 – $239,200+
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
11,110
across the U.S.
Why does it say $239,200+? The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish exact wages above $239,200 a year — it reports them only as “$239,200 or more.” That means the typical physicians, pathologists earns at least this much, and many earn considerably more. In 8 states the median falls below the cap and is shown exactly in the state table below.
What physicians, pathologists do
Diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.8% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 300
- Self-employed
- 4%
Employment of physicians, pathologists is projected to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 300 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Physicians, Pathologists take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$222,945
per year · effective tax rate 28.6%
$18,579Monthly
$9,289Twice a month
$8,575Every 2 weeks
$107.19Hourly
- Federal income tax$72,474
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$5,541
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$222,945
Marginal rate: 35% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $92,540 | $44.49 | $73,932 |
| 25th percentile | $186,300 | $89.57 | $138,714 |
| Median (50th) | $312,400+ | $150.19 | $222,945 |
| 75th percentile | $372,780+ | $179.22 | $260,773 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $449,970+ | $216.33 | $309,133 |
Physicians, Pathologists salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $239,200+ | — | $273,513 | $187,010 – $239,200+ | 210 |
| West Virginia | $239,200+ | — | $259,522 | $64,350 – $239,200+ | 50 |
| Nevada | $239,200+ | — | $268,022 | $61,750 – $239,200+ | 40 |
| Illinois | $239,200+ | — | $247,653 | $136,990 – $239,200+ | — |
| Minnesota | $239,200+ | — | $225,707 | $80,860 – $239,200+ | 550 |
| New Jersey | $239,200+ | — | $229,757 | $75,340 – $239,200+ | 230 |
| Texas | $239,200+ | — | $243,889 | $105,560 – $239,200+ | 1,530 |
| Indiana | $239,200+ | — | $230,415 | $174,840 – $239,200+ | 380 |
| Arizona | $239,200+ | — | $230,917 | $97,920 – $239,200+ | 270 |
| Kentucky | $239,200+ | — | $219,221 | $208,420 – $239,200+ | — |
| Iowa | $239,200+ | — | $218,235 | $82,150 – $239,200+ | 80 |
| Rhode Island | $239,200+ | — | $214,328 | $228,590 – $239,200+ | — |
| New York | $239,200+ | — | $209,814 | $91,680 – $239,200+ | 1,220 |
| Oklahoma | $239,200+ | — | $212,602 | $201,280 – $239,200+ | 130 |
| Florida | $239,200+ | — | $223,641 | $67,740 – $239,200+ | 370 |
| Ohio | $239,200+ | — | $213,388 | $71,230 – $239,200+ | 600 |
| Michigan | $239,200+ | — | $204,470 | $81,190 – $239,200+ | 140 |
| Washington | $239,200+ | — | $215,603 | $93,310 – $239,200+ | 200 |
| Colorado | $239,200+ | — | $199,487 | $77,330 – $239,200+ | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $239,200+ | — | $191,888 | $97,640 – $239,200+ | 320 |
| Missouri | $239,200+ | — | $179,580 | $196,360 – $239,200+ | — |
| Mississippi | $239,200+ | — | $181,047 | $228,870 – $239,200+ | 50 |
| Maryland | $239,200+ | — | $172,990 | $125,560 – $239,200+ | 70 |
| North Carolina | $239,200+ | — | $173,062 | $220,330 – $239,200+ | 340 |
| Virginia | $239,200+ | — | $164,098 | $134,790 – $239,200+ | 110 |
| North Dakota | $239,200+ | — | $172,687 | $239,200+ – $239,200+ | 30 |
| Oregon | $239,200+ | — | $154,712 | $239,200+ – $239,200+ | 150 |
| South Carolina | $236,950 | +3.5% | $161,555 | $168,110 – $239,200+ | 80 |
| Nebraska | $229,140 | — | $159,941 | $71,000 – $239,200+ | 90 |
| Kansas | $224,280 | — | $154,582 | $127,770 – $239,200+ | 30 |
| Arkansas | $214,100 | — | $151,174 | $194,860 – $239,200+ | 130 |
| Georgia | $211,800 | — | $147,248 | $54,610 – $239,200+ | 170 |
| Vermont | $188,250 | — | $129,647 | $62,780 – $239,200+ | — |
| California | $186,300 | +12.3% | $123,195 | $105,750 – $239,200+ | 1,790 |
| Wisconsin | $83,610 | — | $64,599 | $47,470 – $239,200+ | 130 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrist | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +7.2% |
| Physicians, All Other | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +3.4% |
| Pediatricians, General | $210,040 | Doctoral or professional degree | +1.5% |
| Radiologist | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +3.4% |
| Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +4.5% |
| Dermatologist | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +6.8% |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +1.7% |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +3.2% |
| Orthodontist | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +6.0% |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon | $239,200+ | Doctoral or professional degree | +5.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicians, pathologists make?
The national median salary for physicians, pathologists is at least $239,200 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $92,540 and the top 10% earn over $239,200+. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays physicians, pathologists the most?
Pennsylvania has the highest median pay at $239,200+.
How many physicians, pathologists are there in the U.S.?
About 11,110 people work as physicians, pathologists nationwide.