Hiring guide · Healthcare
How to Hire a Pathologist
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring pathologists, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $312,400), recruit through community college and vocational program career centers, verify ABPath board certification where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for pathologists
There are about 11,800 pathologists employed in the U.S., with roughly 300 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +4.8% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $92,540–$186,300 | $44.49–$89.57 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $312,400 | $150.19 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $372,780 | $179.22 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $449,970 | $216.33 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Doctoral or professional degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Histopathology
- Attention to detail
Nice-to-haves
- ABPath board certification
- State medical license
- Dermatopathology certification
- Experience with microscopes
Where to find pathologists
- Community college and vocational program career centers
- Clinical externship and student-placement partnerships
- State nurse aide registries and healthcare job boards
- Employee referral programs
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Anatomic Pathologist, Clinical Pathologist, Forensic Pathologist, Laboratory Physician
Screening checklist
- Verify certifications and state registry or license status with the issuing body
- Background checks and federal exclusion-list (OIG LEIE) screening as required for your organization
- Immunization records, TB testing and drug screening according to policy and law
- Current BLS/CPR certification
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Why pathology?”
What a strong answer includes: Share motivation.
2. “How do you handle uncertain diagnoses?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
3. “How do you communicate with surgeons?”
What a strong answer includes: Show clarity.
4. “What subspecialty interests you?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
5. “How do you ensure lab quality?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Sign Out a Biopsy (see the steps)
- Perform a Frozen Section (see the steps)
- Present at Tumor Board (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Histology, Biopsy, Frozen section
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Pathologist 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Pathologist training. Show them the path forward: Pathology Resident → Pathologist → Subspecialist → Laboratory Medical Director.
Hiring pathologists: FAQ
How much should I pay a pathologist?
The U.S. median wage for pathologists is $312,400 per year ($150.19/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($186,300), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($372,780). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a pathologist have?
BLS lists “doctoral or professional degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for ABPath board certification and State medical license where relevant, plus skills such as histopathology, cytopathology, and clinical laboratory medicine.
How long does it take to train a new pathologist?
Becoming qualified typically takes 12 years after high school. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “internship/residency.”