SOC 29-1229.03

    Urologists

    Diagnose, treat, and help prevent benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the renal glands.

    Median pay
    $265,930
    Growth
    +3.4%
    As fast as average
    Openings a year
    9,400
    Typical education
    Doctoral or professional degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections · figures for the broader BLS group "Physicians, all other"

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $69,170
    Median
    $265,930
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $452,360
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    342,720 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Urologists diagnose, treat, and prevent disorders of the genitourinary system and renal glands. This highly specialized medical career offers a median annual salary of $265,930, though this figure represents a broader group of physicians.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What urologists do

    Job Zone 5: Extensive preparation

    Diagnose, treat, and help prevent benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the renal glands.

    Most need a graduate degree, such as a master's, PhD, MD or JD.

    What the work is like

    Urologists focus on medical and surgical conditions affecting the urinary tract and reproductive organs. On a daily basis, these doctors examine patients, analyze medical data, and make critical decisions regarding treatment plans. They perform surgeries, administer therapies, and document patient information using computers.

    This profession requires strong investigative interests and a deep knowledge of medicine, biology, chemistry, and therapy. To provide quality care, urologists must possess excellent skills in critical thinking, active listening, and complex problem solving. They must also communicate clearly with patients and medical staff. Key work styles for this role include high attention to detail, integrity, dependability, and cautiousness to ensure patient safety.

    How to get there

    Entering this career requires extensive preparation. Candidates typically need a doctoral or professional degree, such as a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Relevant college majors include medicine, medical clinical sciences, and multiple-pathway medical fellowship programs.

    After completing medical school, aspiring urologists must complete residency training. Some states list a license for this work, which is standard for practicing medicine. Additionally, professionals can pursue credentials like the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality certification from the National Association for Healthcare Quality to demonstrate their expertise.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for urologists is $265,930, though this rate is based on the broader group of all other physicians. Earnings vary widely across the field; the lowest 10% earn less than $69,170, while the highest 10% earn more than $452,360.

    There are 342,720 people employed in this broader physician category. Employment is projected to grow by 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. About 9,400 job openings are expected each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R)
    64 / 100
    Investigative (I) · strongest
    98 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    5 / 100
    Social (S)
    74 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    20 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    41 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code ISR. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Documenting/Recording Information
    99
    Assisting and Caring for Others
    97
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    94
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    93
    Processing Information
    92
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    92
    Getting Information
    91
    Analyzing Data or Information
    90
    Working with Computers
    90
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    88
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Reading Comprehension
    • Critical Thinking
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Active Listening
    • Writing
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Speaking
    • Active Learning
    • Monitoring
    • Social Perceptiveness

    Knowledge

    • Medicine and Dentistry
    • Biology
    • English Language
    • Education and Training
    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Administration and Management
    • Psychology
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Chemistry
    • Computers and Electronics

    Abilities

    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Written Comprehension
    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Expression
    • Near Vision
    • Information Ordering
    • Speech Clarity

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Cautiousness
    • Integrity
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Dependability
    • Self-Control
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Perseverance
    • Cooperation
    • Innovation

    Also called

    Acute Care Physician · DO Physician (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Physician) · General Urologist · Male Infertility Specialist · MD (Medical Doctor) · Neurourologist · Owner · Pediatric Urologist · Physician · Practicing Urologist

    Career pathway

    From your interests to urologists

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Urologists$265,930 median pay

    3. Majors

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What urologists may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work. Showing 12 of 63.

    • Adolescent Medicine Fellowship Program
    • Aerospace Medicine Residency Program
    • Allergy and Immunology Fellowship Program
    • Allergy and Immunology Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other
    • Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine Fellowship Program
    • Clinical Biochemical Genetics Residency Program
    • Clinical Genetics and Genomics Residency Program
    • Combined Medical Residency/Fellowship Program, General
    • Combined Medical Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other
    • Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Fellowship Program
    • Family Medicine/Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Combined Specialty Program
    • Family Medicine/Preventive Medicine Combined Specialty Program

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    52 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Federal

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about urologists

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What college majors are recommended for becoming a urologist?

    Students preparing for this career typically major in medicine, medical clinical sciences or graduate medical studies, or multiple-pathway medical fellowship programs. These programs provide the necessary foundation in biology, chemistry, and medical science.

    What is the projected job growth for this field?

    Employment is projected to grow 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, which is as fast as average. This growth, along with normal turnover, is expected to result in 9,400 job openings each year.

    Are there specific certifications available for this career?

    Yes, professionals in this field can obtain the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality credential. This certification is offered by the National Association for Healthcare Quality.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    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.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.