How Much Does a Pathologist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$312,400
Pathologists in the U.S. earn a median of $312,400 a year, or $150.19 an hour. Half of pathologists earn more than $312,400 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $449,970.
Pay percentiles for pathologists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $44.49 | $92,540 |
| 25th | $89.57 | $186,300 |
| 50th (median) | $150.19 | $312,400 |
| 75th | $179.22 | $372,780 |
| 90th | $216.33 | $449,970 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Physicians, Pathologists (SOC 29-1222). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for pathologists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| Oregon | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| Pennsylvania | $413,370 | $198.74 | +32% |
| West Virginia | $400,070 | $192.34 | +28% |
| Nevada | $384,350 | $184.78 | +23% |
| Illinois | $381,770 | $183.55 | +22% |
| Minnesota | $362,270 | $174.17 | +16% |
| New Jersey | $355,970 | $171.14 | +14% |
| Texas | $345,830 | $166.26 | +11% |
| Indiana | $340,300 | $163.61 | +9% |
| United States | $312,400 | $150.19 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. "+" marks wages above the highest figure BLS publishes ($239,200 a year / $115.00 an hour). Those states are listed first, alphabetically. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many pathologists are there?
BLS counts about 11,110 pathologists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Physicians, Pathologists”. The most jobs are in California (1,790), Texas (1,530) and New York (1,220).
The mean (average) annual wage is $285,420, lower than the median of $312,400.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $26,033
- Biweekly
- $12,015
- Weekly
- $6,008
- Daily (8 hours)
- $1,202
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do pathologists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for pathologists is $150.19. The middle 50% earn between $89.57 and $179.22 an hour.
Which state pays pathologists the most?
North Dakota and Oregon report a median wage of more than $239,200 for pathologists, the highest level BLS publishes, so an exact ranking among them is not available.
What is the starting salary for pathologists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of pathologists earn less than $92,540 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.