Medical Laboratory Technician
Run the lab tests doctors use to diagnose and treat patients.
- $62,930
- 2 years (technician) or 4 years (technologist)
Healthcare career
Pathologist
Also called: Anatomic Pathologist · Clinical Pathologist · Forensic Pathologist · Laboratory Physician
What pathologists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a pathologist do?
Pathologists are physicians who diagnose disease by examining tissue samples, blood and body fluids, and who direct clinical laboratories. The median pay is $312,400 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 12 years after high school, and employment is projected to grow +4.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$312,400$150.19/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+4.8%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year300Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationDoctoral or professional degreeBLS classification
- Time to train12 years after high schoolTypical program length
- U.S. jobs11,800Employment, 2025
What pathologists do
Pathologists are the doctors behind the diagnosis. They examine biopsies and surgical specimens under the microscope to diagnose cancer and other diseases, interpret lab tests, oversee blood banks and microbiology labs, perform autopsies and consult with other physicians on treatment. Forensic pathologists determine causes of death for medical examiners.
Pathologists complete medical school and a four-year pathology residency, often followed by a fellowship such as dermatopathology or hematopathology.
Typical duties
- Examine tissue under the microscope
- Diagnose cancer and disease
- Interpret lab test results
- Direct clinical laboratories
- Perform frozen sections during surgery
- Perform autopsies
- Consult with physicians
Work environment and schedule
Pathologists work in hospital labs, reference labs, academic centers and medical examiner offices.
Schedule: Most work regular hours, with occasional call for frozen sections and lab issues.
A day in the life
- Review overnight lab quality reports.
- Sign out biopsy slides.
- Do a frozen section for a surgeon.
- Present cases at tumor board.
See a full day in the life of a pathologist →
Pathologist salary
Half of pathologists earned more than $312,400 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $92,540 for the lowest 10% to $449,970 for the top 10%.
Full pathologist pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a pathologist
- Earn a bachelor’s degree
- Complete medical school
- Complete pathology residency
- Pass boards
- Complete a fellowship
Medical school plus a four-year pathology residency are required, along with a license and board certification.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a pathologist →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Histopathology
- Cytopathology
- Clinical laboratory medicine
- Immunohistochemistry
- Molecular pathology
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Analytical thinking
- Communication
- Patience
All pathologist skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very high pay
- Regular hours
- Central role in diagnosis
- Intellectual, detail-focused work
Cons
- Little direct patient contact
- High responsibility for diagnoses
- Long training
- Heavy case volume
Certifications and licenses
- ABPath board certification: American Board of Pathology.
- State medical license: Required.
- Dermatopathology certification: Subspecialty.
- Forensic pathology certification: Subspecialty.
Career path
- Pathology Resident: Train.
- Pathologist: Practice.
- Subspecialist: After fellowship.
- Laboratory Medical Director: Lead labs.
Learn the job before day one
Our Pathologist training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as sign out a biopsy and perform a frozen section, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Pathologist vs. Medical Lab Tech · Pathologist vs. Dermatologist · Pathologist vs. Forensic Technician · Pathologist vs. Biological Technician
Pathologist FAQ
Do pathologists see patients?
Rarely; they work mostly in labs.
How long is training?
About 12 years after high school, plus any fellowship.
What does a forensic pathologist do?
Determines cause of death, often for medical examiners.
How much does a pathologist make?
The median annual wage for pathologists was $312,400 ($150.19 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $92,540 and the highest 10% earned more than $449,970.
How long does it take to become a pathologist?
Most people need about 12 years after high school of training. Medical school plus a four-year pathology residency are required, along with a license and board certification.
Do you need a degree to be a pathologist?
Yes. BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry-level education, and you also need a state license to practice.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 29-1222 (Physicians, pathologists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Physicians, pathologists (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.