Physicians, Pathologists Salaries USA 2024: States and Industry

The medical field offers many lucrative career paths, and two roles that tend to command high salaries are physicians and pathologists. But how much do these careers pay in the USA?

Let’s delve into the world of physician and pathologist salaries.

This article explores the Physicians, Pathologists wages in United States Of America, exploring the factors that influence your earning potential and offering tips to maximize Physicians, Pathologists income in this dynamic field.

Defining the Physicians, Pathologists:

Physicians: A physician is a medical professional who directly diagnose and treat patients. They conduct physical examinations, order and interpret diagnostic tests, develop treatment plans, and prescribe medications or therapies.

Pathologists: A pathologist is a medical detective who analyze tissue samples, body fluids, and other specimens under a microscope and other advanced technologies to diagnose diseases.

Physician and Pathologists wages in USA

Physicians, Pathologists Salary Range

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics1, the annual median salary for Physicians, Pathologists is $239,200 or more and annual mean salary is $270,560 . Physicians, Pathologists earn salaries ranging from $74,220 to $239,200 or more annually.

Top 10% earners: Exceed $239,200 annually

Bottom 10% earners: Make less than  $74,220 annually

Projected annual median salary for Physicians, Pathologists in 2024-2025 (with 2.5% increase) is $245,180 or more. 

This wide range highlights the diverse factors that influence a Physicians, Pathologists income in USA. We will be discussing those factors below.

Top Paying Industries for Physicians, Pathologists

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reveals that Physicians, Pathologists working for Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories earn the highest annual salaries, exceeding $297,000 annually (U.S BLS May 20232).

Other high-paying industries in USA includes Offices of Physicians, General Medical and Surgical Hospitals etc.

IndustryHourly mean wageAnnual mean wage
Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories$ 142.95$ 297,330
Offices of Physicians$ 137.27$ 285,530
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals$ 120.62$ 250,890
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)$ 104.71$ 217,810
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)$ 102.54$ 213,290
Table 1 : Top paying industries for Physicians, Pathologists

Industry with highest Employment Level for Physicians, Pathologists

Most number of Physicians, Pathologists are employed in Credit Intermediation and Related Activities, followed by Securities and Other Financial Investments Related Activities.

Industry with highest employment level for Physicians, Pathologists

Chart 2: Industry with highest employment level for Physicians, Pathologists

Top Paying U.S. States for Physicians, Pathologists

New York leads the pack with the highest annual mean wage for Physicians, Pathologists in USA. Following closely are Connecticut and New Jersey all offering wages exceeding $159,000 annually (U.S BLS3).

StateHourly mean wageAnnual mean wage
Minnesota   $115 $239,200
North Dakota   $115 $239,200
Kentucky$ 181.22$ 376,940
Wisconsin$ 174.89$ 363,780
Iowa$ 165.59$ 344,420
Table 2 : Top paying States for Physicians, Pathologists

State nameEmploymentHourly mean wageAnnual mean wage
Alabama (al)80100.12208240
Alaska (ak)60120.92251520
Arizona (az)620138.77288640
Arkansas (ar)70124.23258390
California (ca)1180127.14264450
Colorado (co)50102.24212660
Connecticut (ct)180142.43296260
District of Columbia (dc)40108.24225150
Florida (fl)1180106.79222130
Illinois (il)330118.97247460
Indiana (in)490139.25289640
Iowa (ia)50165.59344420
Kentucky (ky) 290181.22376940
Maryland (md)70118.44246350
Massachusetts (ma)390158.36329400
Michigan (mi)160141.32293950
Minnesota (mn)Estimate not released by U.S. BLS. –  $115 $239,200
Missouri (mo)Estimate not released by U.S. BLS. 123.87257650
Nebraska (ne)130140.22291670
Nevada (nv)40145.23302070
New Hampshire (nh)Estimate not released by U.S. BLS. 144.92301430
New Jersey (nj)220139.72290620
New York (ny)900118.52246520
North Carolina (nc)300146.41304530
North Dakota (nd)Estimate not released by U.S. BLS.   $115 $239,200
Ohio (oh)560124.41258770
Oklahoma (ok)110142.32296030
Oregon (or)60114.07237270
Pennsylvania (pa)400114.92239030
Rhode Island (ri)160Estimate not released by U.S. BLS. Estimate not released by U.S. BLS. 
South Carolina (sc)240124.11258150
Tennessee (tn)170126.89263930
Texas (tx)890133.72278140
Utah (ut)Estimate not released by U.S. BLS. 86.47179850
Virginia (va)60120.97251610
Washington (wa)330123.99257900
West Virginia (wv)4091.22189730
Wisconsin (wi)260174.89363780
Table 3: Wages of Physicians, Pathologists in USA States

U.S. States with the highest employment level for Physicians, Pathologists

California leads in providing employment to the Physicians, Pathologists, followed by  Florida and New York.

States with the highest employment level for Physicians, Pathologists

Chart 4: States with the highest employment level for Physicians, Pathologists

Physicians, Pathologists Take-Home Pay

After factoring in federal and state taxes, a Physicians, Pathologists with a state-wise annual mean salary, would have an estimated net income as follows:

Taxes and take home pay estimate for a single filer

New-York: $246,520 (Annual mean wage) – $67,839 (Estimated income tax) = $178,681 (Estimated take home pay).

California: $264,450 (Annual mean wage) –$80,455 (Estimated income tax) = $183,995 (Estimated take home pay).

Texas:  $278,140 (Annual mean wage) – $64,396 (Estimated income tax) = $213,744 (Estimated take home pay).

More taxes can be saved by contributions in IRA, retirement, itemized deduction such as charitable contributions, medical and dental expenses.

Expenses and Savings Potential Estimates in USA

The average annual expenses for a single person household in New York are estimated at $46,584 excluding taxes, according to estimates from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology4. (The figures are measured in 2023 inflation-adjusted dollars)

Based on this estimate, a Physicians, Pathologists earning the take home pay of $178,681, with basic expenses could potentially save $103,158 annually. It’s important to note that individual expenses can vary significantly depending on lifestyle choices and location.

Savings for Married Couples/Households:

While the data provided doesn’t explicitly detail salary savings for married couples or households, it’s important to consider that combined incomes and potentially shared expenses could significantly increase overall savings potential in USA.

Beyond the Base Salary

Total compensation for Physicians, Pathologists goes beyond the hourly or annual wage. Organizations offer additional benefits such as:

Housing stipends: Provides financial support for housing during your placement.

Meal stipends: To help with daily meals.

Travel allowances: To reimburse travel expenses incurred during relocation.

Health insurance: Comprehensive health insurance coverage for you and your dependents.

Paid time off: Vacation days and sick leave.

Childcare assistance:  Childcare assistance programs help employees manage this significant expense.

Life insurance: This benefit provides financial protection for an employees family in the event of their death.

Disability insurance: This benefit provides income to an employee who is unable to work due to a disability.

Continuing education reimbursement: Support for professional development and training.

Retirement savings plans: Retirement planning gets a helping hand with employer-sponsored plans like 401(k)s. These plans offer tax advantages for saving. Employers may also match employee contributions.

Factors Affecting Physicians, Pathologists Income

Several factors can affect Physicians, Pathologists paycheck:

Experience: As with most professions, experience plays a significant role in determining salary.  Entry-level specialists can expect lower salaries, while seasoned professionals with proven track records command higher compensation

Specialty: Physicians in high-demand specialties like anesthesiology, surgery, and radiology tend to earn higher salaries compared to those in family or internal medicine. Similarly, pathologists focusing on specialized areas like cytopathology or neuropathology may command higher wages.

Location: Geographic location significantly impacts Physicians, Pathologists salaries. U.S. States like Minnesota, North Dakota, and Kentucky offer some of the highest pay, while others may offer lower wages.

Industry: The industry you work in can impact your salary. Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories offer the highest wages.

Employer: Private practice can offer higher earning potential compared to hospitals or large medical groups.

Contract Details: The specific terms of the employment contract, including factors like housing stipends, overtime pay, and benefits, can affect the overall compensation package.

Boosting Physicians, Pathologists Salary: Skills and Tips

So, how can Physicians, Pathologists maximize their salary? Here are some tips:

Skills and Certifications: Develop specialized expertise through fellowships, residencies, or additional certifications in high-demand areas.

Negotiate Your Salary: Don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary during the job offer stage. Research market rates for Physicians, Pathologists with your experience and qualifications.

Take on Leadership Roles: Strong leadership and good communication skills are essential for collaboration with other healthcare professionals and fostering patient trust. This can open the way for leadership roles or higher-paying practice opportunities.

Build Professional Network: Strong professional network, reputation through publications, research contributions, and active involvement in medical associations,  these can lead you to higher compensation packages.

Continue Learning: Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in your field by attending conferences and pursuing training opportunities.Conclusion:

A career as a Physicians, Pathologists in United States offers both professional satisfaction and the potential for a high salary. By understanding the various factors that influence salary and carefully managing expenses, Physicians, Pathologists can make informed decisions and pave the way for a rewarding and financially secure career path.

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Note:

This article provides general information only and should not be considered financial advice: Your individual circumstances and specific job offer details will significantly impact your actual earnings.

Seek professional guidance: Consulting with a financial advisor can provide personalized advice on managing your finances and maximizing your savings potential.

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291222.htm#st ↩︎
  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291222.htm#st ↩︎
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291222.htm#st ↩︎
  4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: https://livingwage.mit.edu/states/36 ↩︎
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