1

Forensic Pathology Fellow Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

Forensic Pathology Fellow information

See salary details

$41.5K

$219.3K

$320K

How much do forensic pathology fellow jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic pathology fellow in the United States is $219,325.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $183,000.00 and $274,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Forensic Pathology Fellow, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Forensic Pathology Fellow, you need a medical degree, completion of an anatomic pathology residency, and strong knowledge of forensic science and autopsy techniques. Familiarity with toxicology labs, histology equipment, and forensic case management systems is essential, and board certification or eligibility in pathology is often required. Keen attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for accurately determining causes of death and collaborating with law enforcement. These competencies ensure precise autopsy findings, clear legal documentation, and the integrity of medico-legal investigations.

What is the difference between Forensic Pathology Fellow vs Forensic Pathologist?

AspectForensic Pathology FellowForensic Pathologist
CredentialsMedical degree, pathology residency, fellowship training in forensic pathologyMedical degree, pathology residency, board certification in forensic pathology
Work EnvironmentTraining setting, often in medical schools or hospitalsIndependent casework, crime labs, morgues, or medical examiner offices
Employer & IndustryHospitals, medical schools, forensic institutesMedical examiner offices, law enforcement agencies, forensic labs
Search & Comparison IntentLearning about training stages, educational requirementsUnderstanding professional roles, certification, and job duties

The main difference is that a Forensic Pathology Fellow is in a training phase, focusing on gaining specialized skills, while a Forensic Pathologist is a fully qualified professional performing independent casework. Fellows are still in the process of certification, whereas forensic pathologists are licensed practitioners conducting autopsies and investigations.

What are some typical challenges a Forensic Pathology Fellow might encounter during their training year?

Forensic Pathology Fellows often face challenges balancing a heavy caseload with the need for meticulous attention to detail in autopsies and documentation. Fellows must quickly adapt to working with a multidisciplinary team, including law enforcement and legal professionals, which requires strong communication and time management skills. Additionally, exposure to traumatic or sensitive cases can be emotionally demanding, so developing healthy coping mechanisms is essential. However, these experiences provide valuable learning opportunities and are integral to becoming a competent forensic pathologist.

What is a Forensic Pathology Fellow?

A Forensic Pathology Fellow is a medical doctor who has completed residency training in pathology and is undergoing specialized, one-year postgraduate training in forensic pathology. During the fellowship, they gain hands-on experience in performing autopsies, investigating causes of death, and working closely with law enforcement and legal systems. The fellowship prepares physicians to become board-certified forensic pathologists, capable of providing expert testimony in court and contributing to public health and safety.
More about Forensic Pathology Fellow jobs
What cities are hiring for Forensic Pathology Fellow jobs? Cities with the most Forensic Pathology Fellow job openings:
What states have the most Forensic Pathology Fellow jobs? States with the most job openings for Forensic Pathology Fellow jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Forensic Pathology Fellow jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Forensic Pathology Fellow jobs are:
Infographic showing various Forensic Pathology Fellow job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 95% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $219,325 per year, or $105.4 per hour.
Forensic Pathology Fellow-25415702FY27-28

Forensic Pathology Fellow-25415702FY27-28

County of San Diego

San Diego, CA

$109K/yr

Other

Posted 13 days ago


County Of San Luis Obispo rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

542nd of 645 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Job Summary This is a series recruitment that will be open until the available positions are filled. Applicants must complete and submit the online application to be considered for this recruitment. Are you a pathology resident looking for a career in medicolegal death investigations.

Are you a practicing pathologist looking for a career change. Are you interested in finding the causes of sudden unexpected death, playing an active role in a criminal investigation, or determining just "what happened" when a person died. The Department of the Medical Examiner currently has an open position for a Forensic Pathology Fellow.

Our Forensic Pathology training program is accredited by the ACGME. We are participating in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) (the Match) and will submit our ranking list by the Match deadline of April 16. San Diego County is a large jurisdiction of approximately 3.3 million people covering approximately 4,300 square miles

Over 9,000 deaths per year are reported to our office, and we take jurisdiction on approximately 4,000 of those cases. The diverse geographic features of the county, including urban, suburban, and rural areas, as well as mountains, deserts, waterways, and an international border, provide fellows with a wide variety of case types. Daily multidisciplinary meetings are held each morning to discuss new cases and the previous day's cases.

The department has in-house investigations and a full toxicology laboratory. Fellows will have comfortable offices next to the rest of the physician staff. Fellows are valuable members of the team and attend scenes, take call, and accompany staff to court if they do not have the opportunity to testify in their own cases.

Fellows are sent to either the AAFS or NAME meetings, spend over a week in the Regional Crime Laboratory, and spend time in forensic anthropology, forensic odontology, and forensic toxicology. This recruitment has a limited term for the academic year beginning July 1, 2027. Appointments to this job classification are limited to twelve months, or 2080 hours, and are not subject to Civil Service protection.

Positions in this job classification are found exclusively in the Medical Examiner's Department. Ideal Candidate The County of San Diego desires a candidate that communicates effectively in English, both orally and written; is able to establish effective working relationships with management, employees, employee representatives and the public representing diverse cultures and backgrounds; and an individual who encompasses confidence in one's judgment and ability and willingness to be assertive in order to serve the best interest of the County. Applications will be accepted from applicants who: Possess a State of California license to practice medicine (State of California Business and Professions Code Sec.

2135); AND (1) Possess board certification in Anatomic Pathology or Anatomic and Clinical Pathology; OR, (2) Are eligible to take the Anatomic Pathology examination or Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Board examination by July 01, 2027. At the time of appointment to the position July 1, 2027, applicants must possess a valid license to practice medicine in the State of California (California Business and Professions Code Section 2135). Note: Anatomic Pathology training must have been approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

****A copy of your Curriculum Vitae (CV) must be submitted with your application. Three (3) letters of recommendation must be emailed directly from the sources to Jonathan.Lucas@sdcounty.ca.gov in order to be considered for this position. The interviews will be conducted virtually for all applicants

Salary listed reflects that of current fiscal year, 2025-2026. Please read the Forensic Pathology Fellow job description for more information. The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments.

This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate's personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application Work History and/or supplemental questionnaire.

Condition of Employment As part of the County of San Diego's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.

Evaluation The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a two (2) year employment list with a score of 100. Accommodation Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job, on a case-by-case basis. The County of San Diego now participates in E-Verify.

As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization.

Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans. Veteran's Preference Policy The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego. Please read the Veteran's Preference Policy for additional information.

Military Skills Translator Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience. This tool can help. Please read the Military Skills Translator to access the tool.

The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of: a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations.

While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Click here for more information on our Strategic Plan (sandiegocounty.gov). Disaster Service Worker Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers

The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law. The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.