According to SalaryDr data from 6 verified pathology physicians in California, the median total compensation for Pathology in 2026 is $405,000. The 25th percentile is $385,000 and the 75th percentile is $750,000. Base salary: $480,833. Bonuses: $31,000 (6% receive). Satisfaction: 4.3/5. Workload: ~43 hrs/week. Source: https://www.salarydr.com/specialty/pathology/california Sample size: 6. Last updated: March 9, 2026.
As of March 9, 2026, a Pathologist in California earns approximately $405,000 per year ($33,750 monthly). Based on an average 43-hour work week, this translates to about $227 per hour. Looking for a broader view? See the Pathologist salary overview or compare nearby states below.
From 6 verified physician salary submissions in California, SalaryDr is seeing total compensation ranging from $385,000 to $750,000, with top performers (90th percentile) earning up to $810,000 annually. Compared to the national median of $405,000, Pathologist salaries in California are in line with the national median.
In California, the salary progression for pathologist physicians shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $357,500, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $589,000 - a 65% increase.
In California, the most common work environment is Private Practice (50% of physicians). On average, base salary accounts for 94% of total compensation—about $480,833—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.
California offers unique advantages for pathologist physicians, including high demand in major metropolitan areas and competitive compensation packages. The cost of living in California is higher than the national average but offset by higher salaries.
Local pathologist physicians report 4.3/5 career satisfaction, with 100% of those surveyed saying they would choose this specialty again.
Go beyond salary data. Discover real physician experiences, work-life balance insights, and what Pathology doctors love (and would change) about their specialty.
Browse more Pathologist-adjacent fields to compare compensation and career paths.
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Last updated: March 9, 2026
Distribution based on 6 verified physician salary submissions.
Median Salary: $405,000
Average satisfaction rating reported by Pathology physicians (1-5 scale).
Percentage of Pathology physicians who would choose this specialty again.
Physicians cite the variety of cases and patient relationships as most rewarding aspects of this specialty.
On-call demands, administrative burden, and work-life balance are cited as the top challenges.
Average Salary
$511,833
Median Salary
$405,000
Salary Range
$385,000 - $750,000
National Average
$511,833
Difference
+0% vs National Average
Sample Size
6 local / 6 national reports
| Practice Type | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| Private Practice | $508,333 | 3 submissions |
* Practice types with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Compare salary data across different practice settings for Pathology physicians in California:
| Years of Experience | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years | $330,000 | 1 submissions |
| 6-10 years | $584,000 | 4 submissions |
| 11-15 years | $405,000 | 1 submissions |
* Experience levels with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Browse city-level salary data for pathologist physicians in California. Click any city to see detailed compensation information for that location.
See how Pathology salaries in California compare to neighboring states.
| Subspecialty | Average Salary | Sample Size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dermatopathology | $541,333 | 3 submissions | Focuses on specialized dermatopathology procedures and treatments within pathology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Hematopathology | $394,917 | 6 submissions | Focuses on specialized hematopathology procedures and treatments within pathology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Surgical | $368,750 | 8 submissions | Focuses on specialized surgical procedures and treatments within pathology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Molecular | $359,500 | 4 submissions | Focuses on specialized molecular procedures and treatments within pathology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
* Subspecialties with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
* Data is aggregated from verified physician submissions.