Pathologist salary: how much does a pathologist make?
A pathologist in the US earns a median of $312,400 a year, about $150.19 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $92,540 and the top 10% earn over $449,970. Pay depends heavily on the state: the top-paying state, Pennsylvania, has a median of $413,370.
Pathologist pay calculator
Gross pay before taxes. If you enter your own hourly rate, it replaces the BLS figure. Otherwise hourly rate = BLS annual figure ÷ 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the same convention BLS uses.
How much does a pathologist make an hour?
The median pathologist earns $150.19 an hour. Hourly pay ranges from about $44.49 for the lowest-paid 10% to $216.33 for the highest-paid 10%.
| Pay level | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (bottom 10%) | $92,540 | $44.49 |
| Lower 25% | $186,300 | $89.57 |
| Median (typical) | $312,400 | $150.19 |
| Upper 25% | $372,780 | $179.22 |
| Top 10% | $449,970 | $216.33 |
Pathologist salary by state
Median annual pay for pathologists by state, from BLS May 2025 data. “Not published” means BLS did not release a figure for that state, usually because too few employers reported this job there.
| State | Median per year | ≈ Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Not published | – |
| Alaska | Not published | – |
| Arizona | $338,290 | $162.64 |
| Arkansas | $214,100 | $102.93 |
| California | $186,300 | $89.57 |
| Colorado | $294,510 | $141.59 |
| Connecticut | Not published | – |
| Delaware | Not published | – |
| District of Columbia | Not published | – |
| Florida | $313,510 | $150.73 |
| Georgia | $211,800 | $101.83 |
| Hawaii | Not published | – |
| Idaho | Not published | – |
| Illinois | $381,770 | $183.54 |
| Indiana | $340,300 | $163.61 |
| Iowa | $323,460 | $155.51 |
| Kansas | $224,280 | $107.83 |
| Kentucky | $324,390 | $155.96 |
| Louisiana | Not published | – |
| Maine | Not published | – |
| Maryland | $253,670 | $121.96 |
| Massachusetts | $285,240 | $137.13 |
| Michigan | $303,070 | $145.71 |
| Minnesota | $362,270 | $174.17 |
| Mississippi | $261,570 | $125.75 |
| Missouri | $261,830 | $125.88 |
| Montana | Not published | – |
| Nebraska | $229,140 | $110.16 |
| Nevada | $384,350 | $184.78 |
| New Hampshire | Not published | – |
| New Jersey | $355,970 | $171.14 |
| New Mexico | Not published | – |
| New York | $321,550 | $154.59 |
| North Carolina | $248,940 | $119.68 |
| North Dakota | Not published | – |
| Ohio | $309,480 | $148.79 |
| Oklahoma | $317,850 | $152.81 |
| Oregon | Not published | – |
| Pennsylvania | $413,370 | $198.74 |
| Rhode Island | $322,950 | $155.26 |
| South Carolina | $236,950 | $113.92 |
| South Dakota | Not published | – |
| Tennessee | Not published | – |
| Texas | $345,830 | $166.26 |
| Utah | Not published | – |
| Vermont | $188,250 | $90.50 |
| Virginia | $240,780 | $115.76 |
| Washington | $300,680 | $144.56 |
| West Virginia | $400,070 | $192.34 |
| Wisconsin | $83,610 | $40.20 |
| Wyoming | Not published | – |
Highest-paying states for pathologists
- Pennsylvania: $413,370 median
- West Virginia: $400,070 median
- Nevada: $384,350 median
- Illinois: $381,770 median
- Minnesota: $362,270 median
The lowest published medians are in Wisconsin ($83,610), California ($186,300), Vermont ($188,250), Georgia ($211,800), Arkansas ($214,100). The most pathologist jobs are in California (1,790 jobs), Texas (1,530 jobs), New York (1,220 jobs), Ohio (600 jobs), Minnesota (550 jobs).
How much does a pathologist make a month?
At the median salary of $312,400, a pathologist earns about $26,033 a month, $12,015 every two weeks or $6,008 a week, before taxes.
Entry-level vs. experienced pathologist pay
New pathologists typically start near the bottom of the range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $92,540 a year and the lowest 25% under $186,300. The top 25% earn over $372,780 and the top 10% over $449,970. BLS does not break pay down by years of experience; these percentiles are the closest official measure.
Pathologist salary vs. similar jobs
| Job | Median per year |
|---|---|
| Pathologist | $312,400 |
| Anesthesiologist | $391,490 |
| Veterinarian | $130,100 |
| Chiropractor | $79,200 |
| Optometrist | $136,570 |
| Psychiatrist | $281,870 |
| Psychologist | $100,580 |
Pathologist take-home pay by state (2026)
2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 joint), and each state's 2026 income tax. Local income taxes, state disability or paid-leave payroll taxes and other deductions are not included. Estimate only, not tax advice.
Common questions
How much does a pathologist make?
The US median is $312,400 a year ($150.19 an hour), based on BLS May 2025 data.
How much does a pathologist make an hour?
The median is about $150.19 an hour. The bottom 10% earn about $44.49 and the top 10% about $216.33 an hour.
Which state pays pathologists the most?
Pennsylvania has the highest median at $413,370, followed by West Virginia ($400,070) and Nevada ($384,350).
How much does a pathologist make a month?
At the US median of $312,400 a year, about $26,033 a month or $12,015 every two weeks, before taxes.
How much does an entry-level pathologist make?
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $92,540 a year and the lowest 25% under $186,300, the closest official measure of starting pay.
How much do the top 10% of pathologists make?
The top 10% earn over $449,970 a year; the top 25% earn over $372,780.
How much does a pathologist make in California, Texas, Florida and New York?
Median annual pay is $186,300 in California, $345,830 in Texas, $313,510 in Florida, $321,550 in New York, per BLS May 2025 data.
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. All figures are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 survey (occupation code 29-1222, “Physicians, Pathologists”), the most recent official release; “median” means half earn more and half earn less. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. See the BLS OEWS tables and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. This page is general information, not career or financial advice.