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Autopsy Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Provides technical and administrative support for autopsy service. Obtains and verifies completion of required forms and authorizations. Prepares room and cadaver and assists Pathologist during ...

Maintains and updates autopsy and mortuary policy and procedures manuals to ensure compliance with CAP and Joint Commission accreditation standards, under direction of department manager.

Morgue Attendant

Boston, MA

$17.71 - $24.28/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Performs additional care tasks as needed, including inventorying belongings and facilitating the movement of remains within the Morgue and Autopsy spaces. - Demonstrates the ability to accurately ...

Morgue Attendant

Boston, MA · On-site

$17.71 - $24.28/hr

Performs additional care tasks as needed, including inventorying belongings and facilitating the movement of remains within the Morgue and Autopsy spaces. -Demonstrates the ability to accurately ...

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Autopsy information

See Boston, MA salary details

$53.8K

$96.7K

$144.5K

How much do autopsy jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for autopsy in Boston, MA is $96,697.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,200.00 and $108,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an autopsy technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Autopsy Technician, you need a background in biological sciences, anatomical knowledge, and a relevant associate or bachelor's degree, often supplemented by specialized training in pathology or mortuary science. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, specimen handling protocols, and digital record-keeping systems is typically required. Attention to detail, discretion, strong communication, and the ability to handle sensitive situations are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure accurate post-mortem examinations, maintain legal and ethical standards, and support the effective functioning of forensic investigations.

What is an autopsy?

An autopsy is a thorough medical examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death and evaluate any disease or injury that may be present. It is typically performed by a forensic pathologist or medical examiner. Autopsies can be ordered by legal authorities in cases of unexpected, suspicious, or unexplained deaths, or requested by families for clarification. The findings from an autopsy can provide valuable information for legal investigations, medical research, and family closure.

How to become an autopsy worker?

To become an autopsy worker, typically one needs to complete a relevant degree such as a medical degree or a pathology assistant program, gain experience in a medical or forensic setting, and obtain any required state licensure or certification. Skills in anatomy, pathology, and attention to detail are essential, and employment often involves working in a morgue or forensic laboratory environment.

What is the difference between Autopsy vs Forensic Pathologist?

AspectAutopsyForensic Pathologist
Required CredentialsMedical degree, autopsy trainingMedical degree, pathology residency, forensic certification
Work EnvironmentMedical examiner's office, hospitalsCrime labs, medical examiner's offices, hospitals
Industry UsageMedical, legal, death investigationsLegal cases, criminal investigations, death scene analysis

Autopsy is a procedure performed to examine a deceased individual, often conducted by medical professionals with specialized training. A Forensic Pathologist is a medical doctor who specializes in determining cause of death through autopsies within the context of legal investigations. While autopsies are a core part of a forensic pathologist's work, the latter's role encompasses broader responsibilities including case analysis, report writing, and courtroom testimony.

What are the qualifications to get an autopsy job?

The duties and responsibilities of a clinical or forensic autopsy technician are to prepare for the autopsy, examine a body, and determine the cause of death. The qualifications that you need to get an autopsy job include education, investigative skills, and knowledge of autopsy procedures and tools. A forensic pathologist is a doctor (M.D.) who has completed a residency or fellowship in forensics. A forensic autopsy technician needs at least a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or a related field. You can choose to continue to a master’s degree or pursue professional certification from the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI). You may also pursue specialties such as forensic DNA or toxicology.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in autopsy services?

Professionals in autopsy services often encounter emotionally challenging situations, as they regularly work with deceased individuals and grieving families. The role requires meticulous attention to detail, as accurate documentation and analysis are critical for determining causes of death. Additionally, autopsy technicians and pathologists must adhere to strict safety and biohazard protocols, and they often collaborate closely with law enforcement and medical teams. Balancing these responsibilities while maintaining professionalism and emotional resilience is a common challenge in this field.

What career performs autopsies?

A forensic pathologist is a medical doctor trained to perform autopsies to determine cause of death. They typically hold a medical degree, complete pathology residency, and obtain board certification in forensic pathology. Autopsies are conducted in medical examiner or coroner offices, often requiring knowledge of anatomy, pathology, and legal procedures.
What are the most commonly searched types of Autopsy jobs in Boston, MA? The most popular types of Autopsy jobs in Boston, MA are:
What are popular job titles related to Autopsy jobs in Boston, MA? For Autopsy jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Autopsy jobs in Boston, MA look for? The top searched job categories for Autopsy jobs in Boston, MA are:
What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Autopsy jobs? Cities near Boston, MA with the most Autopsy job openings:
Infographic showing various Autopsy job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $96,697 per year, or $46.5 per hour.

$269K - $321K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Job Description:
Pathologist, Medical Director of Decedent Affairs
(Academic Clinician)
Department of Pathology
Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc.
Harvard Medical School, Boston
The Department of Pathology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is recruiting a full-time academic Autopsy pathologist to serve as the Medical Director of Decedent Affairs. The role provides medical leadership for the hospital's decedent management processes, including adult and perinatal pathways. The candidate will be appointed to the full-time faculty of Harvard Medical School at an academic rank commensurate with experience (Instructor, Assistant Professor or Associate Professor). Recent fellowship graduates and mid-career/senior physicians are strongly encouraged to apply.
As a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, BIDMC and the Department of Pathology provide a clinically advanced and supportive academic environment for residents, fellows, and faculty. We're also proud and excited to be an integral part of the landmark collaboration among Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), and Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians (HMFP) to establish New England's only freestanding adult inpatient cancer hospital. The collaboration will provide unparalleled opportunities for pathologists and other physician specialties to be part of DFCI's internationally recognized cancer team.
The successful candidate will join a collegial team of faculty, fellows, and residents committed to world-class diagnostics, education, and discovery. The position also includes clinical coverage of the autopsy service and the surgical pathology service(s) if applicable, depending on the candidate's interest and qualifications.
Qualifications:
  • Candidates must possess and MD or DO (or equivalent), board certification in Pathology (AP or AP/CP) and a valid Commonwealth of Massachusetts medical license or the ability to obtain one.
  • Experience leading or participating in an academic or forensic pathology service; candidates with forensic pathology fellowship training are encouraged to apply.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder decedent management processes, preferably within acute care or academic medical environments.
  • Outstanding communication, organizational, and team-building skills, with the ability to collaborate across service lines and communicate effectively with grieving families.
  • Experience in quality improvement, informatics, regulatory compliance, or operational leadership strongly preferred.

Who We Are
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a 743-bed hospital and Level 1 Trauma Center, is a founding member of Beth Israel Lahey Health (BILH). BILH, a health care system with 14 hospitals, brings together academic medical centers and teaching hospitals, community and specialty hospitals, and more than 4,000 physicians and 39,000 employees in a shared mission to expand access and advance the science and practice of medicine through groundbreaking research and education.
Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (HMFP) is one of the largest physician organizations in New England, dedicated to excellence and innovation in patient care, education, and research. As a physician-led organization, HMFP partners with more than 2,400 providers to support the delivery of exceptional care, promote professional development and foster balance at work and home. HMFP physicians have faculty affiliations with Harvard Medical School (HMS) and provide care throughout BILH system and additional hospitals across Massachusetts.
Research
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center consistently ranks as a national leader among independent hospitals in National Institutes of Health funding. With research funding totaling over $250 million, annually, BIDMC's 2000+ researchers and staff run more than 2500 active clinical research studies in 52 areas of research.
For further questions or confidential position inquiries, please contact Dr. Jonathan Hecht, (jlhecht@bidmc.harvard.edu).
Candidates should apply directly to Workday and submit CV and other required materials: Requisition R1502
Pay Range:
$269,000 - $321,000
The base pay range reflects what Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (HMFP) reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this role at the time of posting and may be modified from time to time. Actual compensation within this range may be determined based on several factors, including academic appointment, work experience, specialty training, geography of work location, anticipated productivity, FTE basis, and role expectations. In addition to base compensation, this role may be eligible for performance-based incentives, which may include bonuses for productivity and quality HMFP also offers a comprehensive and generous employee benefits program to eligible employees, including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, as well as retirement plan(s) with employer contributions.