Physicians, pathologists

Pay

Getting in

Typical entry education

Doctoral or professional degree

On-the-job training

Internship/residency

Prior experience

None

Calculate your switch to physicians, pathologists

What the work is like

Core tasks

• Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities.
• Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology.
• Write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions.
• Communicate pathologic findings to surgeons or other physicians.
• Identify the etiology, pathogenesis, morphological change, and clinical significance of diseases.
• Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in pathology.
• Consult with physicians about ordering and interpreting tests or providing treatments.
• Analyze and interpret results from tests, such as microbial or parasite tests, urine analyses, hormonal assays, fine needle aspirations (FNAs), and polymerase chain reactions (PCRs).

Also called: Anatomic Pathologist · Cytopathologist · Dermatopathologist · Forensic Pathologist · Hematopathologist · Neuropathologist · Oral Pathologist · Pathologist

Outlook and AI

Physicians, pathologists held 11,800 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 12,400 by 2035 (+5%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).

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