Is Pathology a Good Career in 2026?
Diagnosing disease through laboratory analysis of tissue, blood, and body fluids.
Based on 52 verified physician submissions + BLS employment projections
SalaryDr Career Intelligence
Based on 52 verified physician submissions + BLS employment projections
Score Breakdown
Demand score powered by BLS Employment Projections (2024-2034): 4.2% projected growth (as fast as average)
Pathology Compensation & Earnings
Pathology Compensation
$391,000
$330,000 – $450,000(P25–P75)
Pathology Salary Progression
From medical school to senior attending — based on 52 verified submissions
11 submissions
19 submissions
23 submissions
10 submissions
+25% salary growth from early career ($315,000) to mid-career ($395,000)
Best States for Pathologists (After Tax)
| State | Median Salary | After-Tax Income | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $500,000(2) | $480,000 | Limited |
| Texas | $454,000(5) | $454,000 | High(1,100 jobs) |
| Arizona | $420,000(2) | $409,500 | Low(440 jobs) |
| Florida | $395,000(4) | $395,000 | Low(450 jobs) |
| Georgia | $405,000(5) | $382,766 | Very High(11,800 jobs) |
Estimate Your Take-Home
Based on median Pathology salary of $391K/yr
Select a state to see your estimated take-home pay
Take-Home Pay by State
How much a Pathology physician actually keeps after federal, state, and FICA taxes
Highest Take-Home States
Lowest Take-Home States
Tax impact: A Pathology physician keeps $162,428 more per year in Alaska vs. California — a 41.5% difference on gross income of $391,000.
Assumes single filer, standard deduction, W-2 employment. State rates from Tax Foundation 2025. Gross salaries from BLS OEWS May 2024. FICA includes Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600) and Medicare (1.45% + 0.9% above $200K). Actual take-home varies with deductions, filing status, and local taxes.
How does your compensation compare?
Benchmark yourself against 52 verified pathology salaries — add yours in 2 minutes and see your percentile instantly.
Career Lifestyle
Career Reality: By the Numbers
Real data from 52 verified Pathology physicians — not job board estimates.
What Physicians Actually Say
Thematic analysis of career insights from Pathology physicians. Based on 2 anonymized responses.
About the Lifestyle (1 responses)
Call Impact
100%1 physician mentioned this
“On call once a week. One day off a week.”— Private Practice, 30 yrs
Job Market & Future Outlook
Job Market Outlook
BLS Employment Projections (2024-2034) for Pathology
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2024-2034. Includes wage/salary and self-employed physicians.
AI & Automation Impact
Computational pathology is advancing rapidly. Pathologists who pivot to molecular and precision medicine are well-positioned; those focused on routine screening face the most change.
How Hard Is It to Match Into Pathology?
Pathology has moderate competitiveness with a 93.5% match rate for U.S. MD seniors. There were 0.44 applicants per position (275 applicants for 628 spots). Matched applicants had significantly higher Step 2 CK scores (247 vs 232).
Match Rate by Step 2 CK Score
What Differentiates Matched Applicants
| Metric | Matched | Unmatched |
|---|---|---|
| Step 2 CK | 247 | 232 |
| Research Experiences | 3.1 | 2.3 |
| Publications | 8 | 4 |
| AOA Members | 9% | 0% |
| Programs Ranked | 12 | 7 |
Data from Charting Outcomes in the Match, National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), 2024. U.S. MD seniors. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Training & Getting Started
5 years of post-medical-school training, with subspecialty fellowship options
Subspecialty Fellowships
Physicians Also Consider
Explore Pathology
Take the Next Step in Your Pathology Career
Real compensation data from verified physicians. Know your market value before your next contract negotiation.
Powered by SalaryDr Career Intelligence
Career Score methodology: salarydr.com/methodology
According to SalaryDr Career Intelligence data from 52 verified Pathologists (as of August 2026), the Physician Career Score for Pathology is 61/100. Median total compensation is $391,000, career satisfaction is 3.9/5, and 90% would choose the specialty again. The BLS reports 12,600 practicing Pathologists nationally with 4.2% projected growth (2024-2034).