As of May 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Pathologist in the United States is $284,100. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $179,407 to a high of $320,016, with most professionals earning between $229,300 and $302,900.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $302,900 | $25,242 | $5,825 | $146 |
| Average | $284,100 | $23,675 | $5,463 | $137 |
| 25th Percentile | $229,300 | $19,108 | $4,410 | $110 |
An entry-level Pathologist with less than 1 year of experience earns about $262,016. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $266,106. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $270,196. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $275,921, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $285,503.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Pathologist | $262,016 |
| Intermediate Level Pathologist | $266,106 |
| Senior Level Pathologist | $270,196 |
| Specialist Level Pathologist | $275,921 |
| Expert Level Pathologist | $285,503 |
| Entry Level | 8% |
| Mid Level | 6% |
| Senior Level | 5% |
| Top Level | 3% |
| Experienced | 0% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of May 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Pathologist compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $139,340 in 2023 to approximately $137,907 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Pathologist salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Pathologist information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Pathologist job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Pathologist and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $284,100 | 67.7% | ||
| Bonus | $37,900 | 9.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $15,122 | 3.6% | ||
| 401K/403B | $10,000 | 2.4% | ||
| Disability | $6,440 | 1.5% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,374 | 1.5% | ||
| Pension | $13,750 | 3.3% | ||
| Time Off | $45,823 | 10.9% | ||
| Total Compensation | $419,509 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| High School | 0.7% |
| Bachelors | 4.1% |
| Masters | 3.4% |
| Doctorate | 91.9% |
What Am I Worth?
Pathologists are among the most in-demand physician specialties in the USA. They play a crucial role in diagnosing diseases through laboratory analysis. The salary for pathologists ranges from a minimum of $266,400 to a mid-level of $313,300, with a maximum salary reaching $373,000, reflecting their essential contributions to healthcare.
Yes, pathologists do go to medical school. They are physicians specializing in pathology, focusing on diagnosing and treating disorders of body tissues and fluids. To become a pathologist, one must earn a medical degree (MD or DO) and then complete a residency in pathology. The salary for pathologists ranges from $266,400 to $373,000, with a median salary of $313,300.
As of now, the salary for a Pathology MD in the United States ranges from a minimum of $266,400 to a maximum of $373,000, with a mid-range salary of $313,300. This translates to an hourly rate of approximately $128.85 to $179.57, or about $5,553 to $7,775 per week, and $24,000 to $33,750 per month.
The highest-paid pathologists are typically Neuropathologists, with salaries reaching up to $373,000 annually. Other high-paying roles include Anatomic Pathologists, earning between $266,400 and $373,000, and Physician Chiefs of Pathology, who also command significant salaries. Overall, salaries for pathologists range from a minimum of $266,400 to a maximum of $373,000, with a mid-salary of $313,300.
Pathologists are in high demand in the USA, with an A- employability rating from CareerExplorer. Over the next decade, the country is projected to need 43,400 pathologists. Their salaries range from a minimum of $266,400 to a mid-level of $313,300, reaching up to $373,000, reflecting the critical role they play in healthcare.
To become a pathologist, you need a minimum of 11 years of education, which includes four years of college, four years of medical school, and three to four years of residency. Pathologists earn a salary ranging from $266,400 to $373,000, with a median salary of $313,300, reflecting the extensive training and expertise required in this field.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
