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Physicians, Pathologists
Diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids. Includes medical examiners.
Other titles employers use
Anatomic Pathologist · Cytopathologist · Dermatopathologist · Forensic Pathologist · Hematopathologist · Neuropathologist · Oral Pathologist · Pathologist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, practical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Science
- Active Learning
Subjects to know
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
Useful strengths
- Inductive Reasoning
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Written Comprehension
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.3 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.1 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 5.0 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.3 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a doctorate or a professional degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A doctorate or professional degree 94%
- A master's degree 6%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Medical software
- Accounting software
- Information retrieval or search software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 1,590
- Job openings each year
- 60
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 11.2%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 1,590 | 60 | 11.2% |
| California | 1,400 | 50 | 16.7% |
| Texas | 1,070 | 40 | 18.9% |
| South Carolina | 570 | 20 | 16.3% |
| New Jersey | 500 | 20 | 2.0% |
| Illinois | 440 | 10 | 2.3% |
| Wisconsin | 400 | 20 | 17.6% |
| Indiana | 290 | 10 | 7.4% |
| Ohio | 290 | 10 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 250 | 10 | — |
| North Carolina | 240 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Rhode Island | 220 | 10 | 4.8% |
| Tennessee | 190 | 10 | 11.8% |
| New Hampshire | 160 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Oklahoma | 160 | 0 | — |
| Massachusetts | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| Virginia | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Alabama | 120 | 0 | 9.1% |
| Arizona | 110 | 10 | 22.2% |
| Nebraska | 110 | 0 | 10.0% |
| Arkansas | 100 | 0 | 11.1% |
| Connecticut | 100 | 0 | 11.1% |
| Colorado | 90 | 0 | 12.5% |
| Iowa | 90 | 0 | 12.5% |
| Maryland | 90 | 0 | 12.5% |
| Kansas | 70 | 0 | — |
| Utah | 70 | 0 | 40.0% |
| Oregon | 60 | 0 | — |
| West Virginia | 50 | 0 | — |
| District of Columbia | 40 | 0 | — |
| Louisiana | 40 | 0 | — |
| Vermont | 40 | 0 | — |
| Nevada | 30 | 0 | — |
| Wyoming | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.