What Do Pathologist Do?
Pathologist Definition Diagnose presence and stage of diseases using laboratory techniques and patient specimens. Study the nature, cause, and development of diseases. May perform autopsies.
Life As a Pathologist: What Do They Do?
- Educate physicians, students, and other personnel in medical laboratory professions such as medical technology, cytotechnology, or histotechnology.
- Perform autopsies to determine causes of deaths.
- 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.
- Communicate pathologic findings to surgeons or other physicians.
- Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology.
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Qualities of a Pathologist
These are the skills Pathologists say are the most useful in their careers:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Types of Pathologist Jobs
- Cytopathologist
- Medical Pathologist
- Autopsy Pathologist
- Forensic Pathologist
- Surgical Pathologist
Pathologist Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 372,400 jobs in the United States for Pathologist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 42,300 new jobs for Pathologist by 2026. There will be an estimated 14,300 positions for Pathologist per year.

The states with the most job growth for Pathologist are Arizona, Alaska, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Connecticut, Rhode Island, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Pathologist
The average yearly salary of a Pathologist ranges between $60,280 and $208,000.

Pathologists who work in Alaska, Arizona, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.
How much do Pathologists make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $183,510 |
Alaska | $244,220 |
Arizona | $229,090 |
Arkansas | $165,290 |
California | $208,740 |
Colorado | $219,310 |
Connecticut | $221,870 |
Delaware | $216,600 |
District of Columbia | $182,910 |
Florida | $205,020 |
Georgia | $235,060 |
Hawaii | $228,470 |
Idaho | $241,670 |
Illinois | $183,780 |
Indiana | $237,470 |
Iowa | $219,300 |
Kansas | $191,430 |
Kentucky | $223,770 |
Louisiana | $183,920 |
Maine | $257,550 |
Maryland | $196,210 |
Massachusetts | $207,990 |
Michigan | $181,760 |
Minnesota | $245,040 |
Mississippi | $174,340 |
Missouri | $203,440 |
Montana | $247,260 |
Nebraska | $161,880 |
Nevada | $227,500 |
New Hampshire | $275,840 |
New Jersey | $208,820 |
New Mexico | $229,100 |
New York | $171,060 |
North Carolina | $198,040 |
North Dakota | $266,510 |
Ohio | $212,160 |
Oklahoma | $155,130 |
Oregon | $202,750 |
Pennsylvania | $195,810 |
Rhode Island | $209,580 |
South Carolina | $185,210 |
South Dakota | $227,710 |
Tennessee | $231,960 |
Texas | $199,370 |
Utah | $218,210 |
Vermont | $176,520 |
Virginia | $199,080 |
Washington | $239,080 |
West Virginia | $222,270 |
Wisconsin | $239,610 |
Wyoming | $234,610 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Pathologists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Pathologists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Laboratory information system LIS
- Sunquest Information Systems Sunquest Laboratory
- STARLIMS
- CPSI CPSI System
- Orchard Software Orchard Harvest LIS
- Healthvision TDSynergy LIS
- Clinical Software Solutions CLIN1 Suite
- Comp Pro Med Polytech
- Custom Software Systems StarLab
- Elekta Impac Software IntelliLab
- EpicLab Laboratory Information System
- Fletcher-Flora Health Care Systems FFlex eSuite LIS
- Fletcher-Flora Health Care Systems LabPak LIS
- GE Healthcare Centricity Laboratory
- HEX Laboratory Systems LAB/HEX
- ClinLab LIS
- Iatric Systems MobiLab
- LabSoft LabNet
Becoming a Pathologist
Individuals working as a Pathologist have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Pathologists Work

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Pathologist might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Pathologist sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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