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Chief Medical Examiner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Medical Examiner

Manitowoc, WI ยท On-site

$71K - $83K/yr

Lead and supervise the Office of the Medical Examiner by hiring, mentoring, and directing the Chief Deputy and Deputy Medical Examiners while ensuring continuous 24/7 departmental coverage. * Plan ...

Lead and supervise the Office of the Medical Examiner by hiring, mentoring, and directing the Chief Deputy and Deputy Medical Examiners while ensuring continuous 24/7 departmental coverage. * Plan ...

Chief Medical Officer

Middletown, CT ยท On-site

$200 - $300/hr

The Chief Medical Officer will help advance this model by bringing clinical leaders together around ... Make a meaningful difference in the public sector Medical Examination Requirement A comprehensive ...

$75 - $120/hr

Working closely with the Chief Medical Examiner, this position advances strategic priorities, strengthens operational effectiveness, and promotes a culture of accountability and continuous ...

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Chief Medical Examiner information

See salary details

$33K

$124.4K

$200.5K

How much do chief medical examiner jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief medical examiner in the United States is $124,409.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,000.00 and $146,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chief medical examiner?

A Chief Medical Examiner is a licensed physician, typically specialized in forensic pathology, who leads the office responsible for investigating deaths that occur under unusual, suspicious, or unnatural circumstances. Their duties include overseeing autopsies, determining causes of death, signing death certificates, and providing expert testimony in court. The Chief Medical Examiner also manages staff, ensures compliance with legal and ethical standards, and collaborates with law enforcement agencies. They play a critical role in public health and the criminal justice system by providing accurate and unbiased death investigations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief medical examiner?

To thrive as a Chief Medical Examiner, you need a medical degree (MD or DO), board certification in forensic pathology, and extensive experience in autopsy performance and death investigation. Familiarity with laboratory information systems, toxicology analysis tools, and case management software is typically required. Leadership, attention to detail, and strong communication skills are crucial for managing teams and conveying complex findings to legal and public audiences. These competencies ensure accurate cause-of-death determinations, effective departmental oversight, and support for public health and justice.

What are some common challenges chief medical examiners face in managing their teams and workload?

Chief Medical Examiners often manage multidisciplinary teams, including forensic pathologists, investigators, and administrative staff, which can pose challenges in communication and coordination, especially during high-profile or complex cases. Balancing administrative duties, such as budgeting and compliance, with hands-on casework also requires strong organizational skills. Additionally, the volume and sensitivity of cases can lead to a demanding workload, making effective delegation and staff support essential for maintaining quality and timeliness in investigations.

What is the difference between Chief Medical Examiner vs Medical Examiner?

AspectChief Medical ExaminerMedical Examiner
CredentialsMedical degree, forensic pathology certification, state licensureMedical degree, forensic pathology certification, state licensure
Work EnvironmentOversees death investigations, manages staff, administrative dutiesConducts autopsies, investigates deaths, reports findings
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, medical examiner officesCounty or city medical examiner offices, forensic labs

The Chief Medical Examiner holds a leadership role overseeing death investigations and staff, while the Medical Examiner primarily conducts autopsies and investigates individual cases. Both roles require similar credentials and work within government forensic settings, but the Chief Medical Examiner has additional administrative responsibilities.

More about Chief Medical Examiner jobs

What cities are hiring for Chief Medical Examiner jobs?

Cities with the most Chief Medical Examiner job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Chief Medical Examiner jobs?

The top employers for Chief Medical Examiner jobs are:

What states have the most Chief Medical Examiner jobs?

States with the most job openings for Chief Medical Examiner jobs include:

Infographic showing various Chief Medical Examiner job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $124,409 per year, or $59.8 per hour.

Deputy Medical Examiner - Pathologist

Suffolk AME

Hauppauge, NY โ€ข On-site

$187.20 - $228.80/hr

Other

Posted 19 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Perform postmortem examinations to determine cause and manner of death.

  • Visit death scenes and examine bodies in cases involving potential homicide or other investigations, and collaborate with law enforcement and the District Attorney.

  • Generate written reports of findings, communicate with relevant parties, and provide guidance to Medical Forensic Investigators.


Job description

Deputy Medical Examiner - Pathologist page is loaded## Deputy Medical Examiner - Pathologistlocations: HAUPPAUGE, NYposted on: Posted 4 Days Agojob requisition id: JR102715The Suffolk County Office of the Medical Examiner (OME) is seeking applicants for the position of Deputy Medical Examiner (Forensic Pathologist). An employee in this class performs postmortem examinations in cases coming under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner's Office in order to determine cause of death and manner of death. The work also involves visiting scenes of deaths and examining undisturbed bodies in cases where there may be a concern of a homicidal manner of death, as well as working with law enforcement and the District Attorney to assist in directing the preliminary investigation of such cases. Performs related work under the direction of the Chief Medical Examiner, as required.***OUR MISSION***The Suffolk County Office of the Medical Examiner is a multi-agency accredited forensic science resource. Using both national and internationally approved standards of science, we strive to improve the public health, safety, and wellbeing of our residents.***POSITION DETAILS*****:*** Performs postmortem examinations;* Collects, reviews, and ensures proper disposition of physical evidence, as warranted;* Evaluates the results of postmortem ancillary studies including but not limited to toxicology, histology, chemistry, and microbiology;* Reviews antemortem medical records; consults with clinicians, and communicates with decedentsโ€™ family, friends, and associates, as needed;* Generates written reports of findings and conclusions of examinations and investigations;* Provides guidance to Medical Forensic Investigators;* Provides quality assurance for cremation clearances and cases referred to, but not accepted by, the Medical Examinerโ€™s Office;* Communicates with law enforcement and the District Attorney regarding cases;* May testify at a variety of legal proceedings concerning findings and observations;* Teaches and oversees medical and physician assistant students and residents;* May perform related duties and responsibilities as directed by the Chief Medical Examiner.***Salary: $208,000*****Position Schedule: Monday through Friday*****\*Note: There is rotating weekend and holiday coverage, and rotating evening call.***\*This position does **not** offer relocation assistance at this time\*\*Sponsorship is **not** available for this role\*\*Residence in Suffolk, NY is **not** a requirement.***ROLE REQUIREMENTS*****:**Possession of a license to practice medicine in the State of New York, and valid certification by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology (AP) or Anatomic and Clinical Pathology (AP/CP); **and either**:a) Valid certification by the American Board of Pathology in Forensic Pathology (FP); **or** b) Completion of twelve (12) months of training in a forensic pathology program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).***ADDITIONAL POSITION DETAILS*****:*** Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, techniques, literature, and current developments in the fields of anatomic pathology and forensic pathology* Good knowledge of principles, practices, methods, techniques, literature, and current developments in the fields of general medicine and surgery* Ability to tactfully obtain accurate information from outside sources through interviews and observations* Ability to exercise independent judgment, critical thinking, deductive reasoning, and ingenuity in addressing complex problems* Ability to communicate tactfully and professionally with colleagues, outside agencies, and the general public* Ability to present ideas effectively both orally and in writing* Honesty* Integrity* Discretion/confidentiality* Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.***About Suffolk County Medical Examiner Department**** The Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner Department is an 85,000 square foot facility physically located in Hauppauge in the North County Complex off of Veterans Memorial Highway. The Division is comprised of the Medical Forensic, Toxicology, and Crime Laboratory Sections. The Public and Environmental Health Laboratory is housed in the same facility, but under the administration of the Division of Environmental Quality.* The Medical Forensic Section investigates about 6200 deaths per year and performs about 1300 autopsy examinations per year. The Forensic Medical Investigators are all Registered Physician Assistants, and the Pathologists are fulltime Medical Examiners.* Medicolegal death investigations are conducted by staff physician assistants, who play an active role in establishing the database for the pathologists.***Our Community***The Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner is located in Hauppauge, New York, centrally located in Suffolk County, Long Island which is widely accessible by the Long Island Regional Railroad (LIRR) to New York Cityโ€™s Penn Station. Suffolk County offers a rich variety of recreational activities, including beaches, parks, hiking, excellent wineries, and many revitalized downtown communities. It is home to several colleges and universities, including Stony Brook University, Farmingdale State College, and Suffolk County Community College. It is also home to the Long Island Ducks, a professional baseball team in the independent Atlantic League.**Suffolk Countyโ€™s Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Equity:*** *Our focus is to promote, support, and implement the County-wide diversity and inclusion strategic plan.** *We achieve results in all our responsibilities through the use of diversity and inclusion best practices.** *We maintain a familiarity with Diversity & Inclusion trends and best practices.****Suffolk County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability that can be reasonably accommodated without undue hardship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, citizenship, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.*** #J-18808-Ljbffr