Pathologist salary
BLS occupation: Physicians, Pathologists · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
How much does a pathologist make?
- The median pathologist salary in the US is $312,400 a year ($150.19 an hour): half of the 11,110 pathologists BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $285,420.
- The middle half earn between $186,300 and $372,780. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $92,540 and the top 10% more than $449,970.
- That is 6.1 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Pennsylvania pays pathologists the most (median $413,370), followed by West Virginia ($400,070) and Nevada ($384,350). Wisconsin pays the least ($83,610).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in West Virginia, where the median is worth $447,021 in typical US prices, then Pennsylvania and Nevada. Pennsylvania's higher pay is offset by its prices (97.6 vs a US average of 100).
- In 35 of the 36 metro areas with data, the median pathologist salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of pathologists to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 300 openings a year. The typical entry education is a doctoral or professional degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what pathologists are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Pathologist salary range
Half of pathologists earn between $186,300 and $372,780 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $92,540 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $186,300 |
| Median | $312,400 |
| Top 25% earn over | $372,780 |
| Top 10% earn over | $449,970 |
Pathologist salary by state
Pennsylvania pays pathologists the most; Wisconsin the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($312,400), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $413,370 median |
| West Virginia | $400,070 median |
| Nevada | $384,350 median |
| Illinois | $381,770 median |
| Minnesota | $362,270 median |
| New Jersey | $355,970 median |
| Texas | $345,830 median |
| Indiana | $340,300 median |
| Arizona | $338,290 median |
| Kentucky | $324,390 median |
| Iowa | $323,460 median |
| Rhode Island | $322,950 median |
| New York | $321,550 median |
| Oklahoma | $317,850 median |
| Florida | $313,510 median |
| Ohio | $309,480 median |
| Michigan | $303,070 median |
| Washington | $300,680 median |
| Colorado | $294,510 median |
| Massachusetts | $285,240 median |
| Missouri | $261,830 median |
| Mississippi | $261,570 median |
| Maryland | $253,670 median |
| North Carolina | $248,940 median |
| Virginia | $240,780 median |
| South Carolina | $236,950 median |
| Nebraska | $229,140 median |
| Kansas | $224,280 median |
| Arkansas | $214,100 median |
| Georgia | $211,800 median |
| Vermont | $188,250 median |
| California | $186,300 median |
| Wisconsin | $83,610 median |
Where pathologist pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Pathologists' pay goes furthest in West Virginia once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| West Virginia | $447,021 |
| Pennsylvania | $423,656 |
| Nevada | $384,431 |
| Illinois | $381,930 |
| Iowa | $368,565 |
| Minnesota | $367,336 |
| Indiana | $364,624 |
| Oklahoma | $361,839 |
| Kentucky | $359,798 |
| Texas | $356,316 |
Pathologist pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $413,370 | $198.74 | $187,010 | $455,420 | 210 | $423,656 |
| West Virginia | $400,070 | $192.34 | $64,350 | $407,990 | 50 | $447,021 |
| Nevada | $384,350 | $184.78 | $61,750 | $384,550 | 40 | $384,431 |
| Illinois | $381,770 | $183.54 | $136,990 | $546,740 | – | $381,930 |
| Minnesota | $362,270 | $174.17 | $80,860 | $486,990 | 550 | $367,336 |
| New Jersey | $355,970 | $171.14 | $75,340 | $422,520 | 230 | $327,163 |
| Texas | $345,830 | $166.26 | $105,560 | $407,800 | 1,530 | $356,316 |
| Indiana | $340,300 | $163.61 | $174,840 | $359,420 | 380 | $364,624 |
| Arizona | $338,290 | $162.64 | $97,920 | $506,410 | 270 | $336,015 |
| Kentucky | $324,390 | $155.96 | $208,420 | $341,420 | – | $359,798 |
| Iowa | $323,460 | $155.51 | $82,150 | $350,950 | 80 | $368,565 |
| Rhode Island | $322,950 | $155.26 | $228,590 | $362,900 | – | $315,751 |
| New York | $321,550 | $154.59 | $91,680 | $493,460 | 1,220 | $297,949 |
| Oklahoma | $317,850 | $152.81 | $201,280 | $412,160 | 130 | $361,839 |
| Florida | $313,510 | $150.73 | $67,740 | $477,310 | 370 | $303,160 |
| Ohio | $309,480 | $148.79 | $71,230 | $450,920 | 600 | $333,585 |
| Michigan | $303,070 | $145.71 | $81,190 | $373,430 | 140 | $314,986 |
| Washington | $300,680 | $144.56 | $93,310 | $460,870 | 200 | $280,975 |
| Colorado | $294,510 | $141.59 | $77,330 | $442,560 | 50 | $285,788 |
| Massachusetts | $285,240 | $137.13 | $97,640 | $459,920 | 320 | $269,713 |
| Missouri | $261,830 | $125.88 | $196,360 | $371,290 | – | $288,305 |
| Mississippi | $261,570 | $125.75 | $228,870 | $350,420 | 50 | $300,818 |
| Maryland | $253,670 | $121.96 | $125,560 | $396,980 | 70 | $241,685 |
| North Carolina | $248,940 | $119.68 | $220,330 | $420,870 | 340 | $263,915 |
| Virginia | $240,780 | $115.76 | $134,790 | $347,470 | 110 | $238,151 |
| South Carolina | $236,950 | $113.92 | $168,110 | $452,510 | 80 | $252,749 |
| Nebraska | $229,140 | $110.16 | $71,000 | $465,980 | 90 | $254,309 |
| Kansas | $224,280 | $107.83 | $127,770 | $480,090 | 30 | $249,012 |
| Arkansas | $214,100 | $102.93 | $194,860 | $295,420 | 130 | $246,270 |
| Georgia | $211,800 | $101.83 | $54,610 | $365,740 | 170 | $219,954 |
| Vermont | $188,250 | $90.50 | $62,780 | $492,180 | – | $192,174 |
| California | $186,300 | $89.57 | $105,750 | $387,760 | 1,790 | $168,262 |
| Wisconsin | $83,610 | $40.20 | $47,470 | $397,980 | 130 | $88,857 |
BLS does not publish pay for pathologists in 18 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Pathologist salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes pathologist pay: 36 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Las Vegas, NV $384,550
- Corpus Christi, TX $373,420
- Philadelphia, PA $365,830
- Austin, TX $362,620
- Tampa, FL $362,470
- Phoenix, AZ $349,470
- Indianapolis, IN $342,090
- Chicago, IL $336,660
- San Diego, CA $333,330
- Miami, FL $332,570
Where the pay goes furthest
- Corpus Christi, TX $402,952
- Las Vegas, NV $383,725
- Austin, TX $369,771
- Tampa, FL $359,272
- Indianapolis, IN $357,476
- Philadelphia, PA $356,719
- Louisville, KY $354,524
- Oklahoma City, OK $348,996
- Phoenix, AZ $338,254
- Cincinnati, OH $333,323
All 36 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas, NV | $384,550 | 30 | $383,725 | 5% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $373,420 | – | $402,952 | 5% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $365,830 | 90 | $356,719 | 6% |
| Austin, TX | $362,620 | – | $369,771 | 5% |
| Tampa, FL | $362,470 | 100 | $359,272 | 7% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $349,470 | 220 | $338,254 | 6% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $342,090 | 260 | $357,476 | 5% |
| Chicago, IL | $336,660 | – | $324,977 | 8% |
| San Diego, CA | $333,330 | 90 | $297,917 | 11% |
| Miami, FL | $332,570 | 90 | $291,332 | 10% |
| Louisville, KY | $329,970 | – | $354,524 | 5% |
| New York, NY | $327,770 | 1,140 | $291,188 | 13% |
| Providence, RI | $319,880 | – | $314,307 | 8% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $319,340 | 330 | $281,193 | 11% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $317,890 | 190 | $333,323 | 6% |
| Dallas, TX | $316,150 | 480 | $306,674 | 6% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $315,520 | 60 | $348,996 | 5% |
| Buffalo, NY | $305,600 | 40 | $318,851 | 6% |
| Seattle, WA | $300,580 | 140 | $270,469 | 9% |
| Houston, TX | $291,510 | 230 | $295,562 | 7% |
| Baltimore, MD | $288,900 | 40 | $276,494 | 8% |
| Columbus, OH | $285,280 | 70 | $298,820 | 6% |
| Boston, MA | $285,240 | 240 | $263,462 | 13% |
| San Antonio, TX | $283,430 | 100 | $299,242 | 6% |
| Durham, NC | $272,300 | 30 | $279,076 | 7% |
| Atlanta, GA | $270,000 | – | $269,843 | 8% |
| San Jose, CA | $248,420 | 30 | $224,971 | 18% |
| Richmond, VA | $240,220 | – | $245,478 | 9% |
| Washington, DC | $237,190 | 90 | $217,837 | 12% |
| Kansas City, MO | $224,280 | 70 | $242,352 | 8% |
| Omaha, NE | $214,920 | 80 | $233,835 | 8% |
| St. Louis, MO | $207,450 | – | $218,166 | 8% |
| San Francisco, CA | $186,300 | – | $161,141 | 22% |
| Riverside, CA | $143,120 | – | $134,458 | 21% |
| Albany, NY | $140,230 | 30 | $140,841 | 14% |
| Hartford, CT | $70,480 | 30 | $68,596 | 34% |
What the median pathologist salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $312,400 |
| Month | $26,033 |
| Every two weeks | $12,015 |
| Week | $6,008 |
| Hour | $150.19 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a pathologist: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Internship/residency |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +4.8% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 300 |
| Self-employed | 3.6% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 | Associate's degree |
| Vet tech | $47,380 | Associate's degree |
| Speech-language pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree |
| Physician assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| Medical lab tech | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree |
| MRI tech | $95,480 | Associate's degree |
| CRNA | $236,590 | Master's degree |
Questions about pathologist pay
How much does a pathologist make an hour?
The median is $150.19 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $44.49 and the top 10% over $216.33.
How much does a pathologist make a month?
About $26,033 a month before taxes at the median salary of $312,400, or $12,015 every two weeks.
What state pays pathologists the most?
Pennsylvania, with a median of $413,370. West Virginia ($400,070), Nevada ($384,350), Illinois ($381,770) and Minnesota ($362,270) follow.
Where do pathologists make the most after cost of living?
West Virginia: its median of $400,070 is worth $447,021 at typical US prices. Pennsylvania, Nevada and Illinois come next.
How much do entry-level pathologists make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of pathologists earn under $92,540 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $186,300, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a pathologist?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a doctoral or professional degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: internship/residency.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-1222 (Physicians, Pathologists). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.