Chiropractor
Treat back, neck and joint problems with hands-on adjustments.
- $79,200
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Healthcare career
Podiatrist
Also called: DPM · Foot Doctor · Podiatric Surgeon · Foot and Ankle Surgeon
What podiatrists 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 podiatrist do?
Podiatrists provide medical and surgical care for people with foot, ankle and lower leg problems, from injuries and deformities to diabetic foot care. The median pay is $160,300 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 11 years after high school, and employment is projected to grow +2.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$160,300$77.07/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+2.0%2025–35, slower than average
- Openings per year200Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationDoctoral or professional degreeBLS classification
- Time to train11 years after high schoolTypical program length
- U.S. jobs10,000Employment, 2025
What podiatrists do
Podiatrists are doctors of the feet and ankles. They treat sprains and fractures, bunions and hammertoes, heel pain, ingrown nails, infections and wounds, prescribe orthotics, perform surgery and help people with diabetes avoid amputations through careful foot care.
Podiatrists earn a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree, complete a three-year residency and get a state license. They work in private practices, hospitals and wound clinics.
Typical duties
- Examine feet and ankles
- Diagnose injuries and conditions
- Treat wounds and infections
- Prescribe orthotics
- Perform foot and ankle surgery
- Manage diabetic foot care
- Order and read imaging
Work environment and schedule
Podiatrists work in private offices, hospitals, wound care centers and surgery centers.
Schedule: Most work full-time with some on-call duty for hospital patients.
A day in the life
- Treat a diabetic foot ulcer.
- Evaluate heel pain in a runner.
- Remove an ingrown toenail.
- Cast feet for custom orthotics.
See a full day in the life of a podiatrist →
Podiatrist salary
Half of podiatrists earned more than $160,300 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $66,010 for the lowest 10% to $309,670 for the top 10%.
Full podiatrist pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a podiatrist
- Earn a bachelor’s degree
- Complete podiatry school
- Complete residency
- Pass licensing exams
- Earn board certification
A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree plus a three-year residency are required, along with a state license.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a podiatrist →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Foot and ankle exam
- Wound care
- Foot surgery
- Biomechanics
- Imaging interpretation
People skills
- Communication
- Empathy
- Precision
- Patience
All podiatrist skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- High pay
- Mix of clinic and surgery
- Prevent amputations
- Regular hours in many practices
Cons
- Long training
- Debt
- Wound care can be difficult
- On-call duty
Certifications and licenses
- APMLE exams: American Podiatric Medical Licensing Examination.
- State podiatry license: Required.
- ABFAS board certification: Foot and ankle surgery.
- ABPM board certification: Podiatric medicine.
Career path
- Podiatry Resident: Train.
- Podiatrist: Practice.
- Practice Partner: Own a practice.
- Department Chief: Lead services.
Learn the job before day one
Our Podiatrist training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as perform a diabetic foot exam and debride a wound, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Podiatrist vs. Chiropractor · Podiatrist vs. Orthopedic Surgeon · Podiatrist vs. PT · Podiatrist vs. O&P Clinician
Podiatrist FAQ
Are podiatrists doctors?
Yes, they hold a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree.
Do podiatrists do surgery?
Yes, most are trained in foot and ankle surgery.
How long is training?
Four years of podiatry school plus a three-year residency.
How much does a podiatrist make?
The median annual wage for podiatrists was $160,300 ($77.07 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $66,010 and the highest 10% earned more than $309,670.
How long does it take to become a podiatrist?
Most people need about 11 years after high school of training. A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree plus a three-year residency are required, along with a state license.
Do you need a degree to be a podiatrist?
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 29-1081 (Podiatrists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Podiatrists (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.