# Physicians, Pathologists

> Diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids. Includes medical examiners.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/physicians-pathologists
- SOC code: 29-1222.00
- Career family: Healthcare practitioners
- Median annual pay: $312,400 (10th percentile $92,540, 90th percentile $449,970)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +4.8%
- Openings a year: 300
- Typical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 64 |
| Investigative (I) | 100 |
| Artistic (A) | 6 |
| Social (S) | 43 |
| Enterprising (E) | 13 |
| Conventional (C) | 62 |

## What you'd do

- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 94/100)
- Processing Information (importance 90/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 90/100)
- Getting Information (importance 89/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 89/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 88/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 83/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 82/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 82/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 77/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Writing, Active Learning, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Science, Judgment and Decision Making, Speaking, Monitoring

## Knowledge

Medicine and Dentistry, Biology, English Language, Education and Training, Customer and Personal Service, Chemistry, Administration and Management, Computers and Electronics, Administrative, Personnel and Human Resources

## Also called

Anatomic Pathologist, Animal Pathologist, Autopsy Pathologist, Chemical Pathologist, Clinical Pathologist, Cytologist, Cytopathologist, Dermatopathologist, DO Physician (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Physician), Forensic Pathologist

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Medicine](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5112) (CIP 5112, 133 colleges)
- Multiple-Pathway Medical Fellowship Programs (CIP 6102, 2 colleges)

## Related careers

- [Pediatric Surgeons](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/pediatric-surgeons): $559,030 median pay
- [Cardiologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cardiologists): $496,010 median pay
- [Radiologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/radiologists): $420,860 median pay
- [Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists): $62,930 median pay
- [Allergists and Immunologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/allergists-and-immunologists): $265,930 median pay
- [Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/orthopedic-surgeons-except-pediatric): $358,550 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.