Salary for an Autopsy Pathologist
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not keep separate statistics for autopsy pathologist earnings. The BLS does, however, report that the average wage for all doctors is $166,400 as of May 2010. How much you make as an autopsy pathologist is also a function of where you live and who you work for. The five highest paying states for doctors are Minnesota, Nevada, South Dakota, Alabama and Mississippi. Physicians' offices and outpatient care centers are the most lucrative work environments, with those working in colleges being the least paid doctors.
- Just as where you live affects how much you will be paid, where you live will affect how likely you are to get a job. While specialists, such as autopsy pathologists, are always in demand, you have better chances in some states than others. You are most likely to get a job in New York, Rhode Island, Maryland, Michigan and Oregon. The cities with the highest number of jobs include Bethesda-Frederick-Gaithersburg, Maryland; Rochester, Minnesota; Saginaw-Saginaw Township North, Michigan; Pittsfield, Massachusetts and Charlottesville, Virginia.
- There is more to a job -- particularly one as grueling as autopsy pathologist -- than a paycheck. While the salary of a medical specialist might seem attractive, you should also consider whether the position matches up with your personal values. According to O Net Online, the job of a forensic pathologist is a good fit for people who want a sense of achievement and recognition from their jobs. It is also a good fit for those who prefer to work independently.
- You must consider the cost of training in a job like autopsy pathologist. You will have to go to school for many years, likely incurring large amounts of student debt along the way. This debt will impact your salary for the first several years that you practice. A forensic pathologist requires as many as 15 years of schooling, including four years of undergraduate schooling, four years of medical school, between four and five years of residency to prepare for board exams and another year or two of an internship specifically in forensic pathology.