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Forensics Pathologist Salary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Autopsy Technician

Lubbock, TX · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Salary : $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 Annually Location : 3711 N Holly Ave Lubbock, TX 79403, TX Job ... Take and process X-Rays as directed by the Forensic Pathologist. * Assist with evisceration and ...

Salary: Depends on Qualifications Location : Houston, TX Job Type: Regular Full-time Job Number: 15307 Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences Division: Pathology Services Opening Date: 01/06/2026 ...

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Forensics Pathologist Salary information

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How much do forensics pathologist salary jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for forensics pathologist salary in the United States is $40.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.21 and $48.08 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges a forensic pathologist may encounter in their daily work?

Forensic pathologists often face the challenge of working with unpredictable schedules, as cases can arise at any time and may require immediate attention. They must also navigate emotionally difficult situations, such as performing autopsies on victims of violent crimes or accidents. Additionally, maintaining accuracy and attention to detail is crucial, as their findings can have significant legal implications. Collaboration with law enforcement and legal professionals is frequent, requiring strong communication skills and the ability to explain complex medical findings to non-medical audiences.

What is the highest paid Forensic Pathologist?

The highest paid forensic pathologists typically earn salaries exceeding $200,000 annually, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills, or working in high-cost regions. Senior professionals with board certifications and leadership roles in medical examiner offices or private labs tend to have the highest compensation in the field.

Is it worth being a Forensic Pathologist?

A forensic pathologist is a medical examiner who performs autopsies to determine cause of death, often working in a laboratory or morgue setting. The role requires medical training, certification, and attention to detail, with salaries typically reflecting specialized expertise and experience. While the job can be emotionally demanding, it offers the opportunity to contribute to criminal investigations and public health.

Is it hard to get into forensic pathology?

Forensic pathology is a specialized medical field that requires completing medical school, residency training in pathology, and a fellowship in forensic pathology. The pathway is competitive and demanding, often taking over a decade of education and training, but individuals with strong academic records and relevant experience can pursue certification through the American Board of Pathology. Licensing and certification are essential for practicing in this field.

What is the average salary of a forensic pathologist?

The average salary of a forensic pathologist in the United States typically ranges from $150,000 to $250,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer. Entry-level forensic pathologists may earn closer to the lower end of this range, while those with significant experience or working in high-demand areas can earn more. Salaries can also be influenced by the type of organization, such as government agencies, private labs, or academic institutions.

What is the difference between Forensics Pathologist Salary vs Medical Examiner Salary?

AspectForensics PathologistMedical Examiner
Required CredentialsMedical degree, pathology certification, forensic pathology fellowshipMedical degree, pathology certification, forensic pathology fellowship
Work EnvironmentCrime labs, hospitals, morguesCoroner's offices, hospitals, morgues
Employer & IndustryLaw enforcement agencies, forensic labsGovernment agencies, hospitals

Both forensics pathologists and medical examiners require similar credentials and work in related environments. However, forensics pathologists often work in specialized forensic labs, while medical examiners are typically employed by government agencies overseeing death investigations. Salary differences may depend on location and experience, but their roles are closely aligned in the forensic and death investigation fields.

Is forensic pathology in high demand?

Forensic pathology is a specialized field with steady demand due to the need for medical examiners and death investigations. Job growth is expected to be average or slightly above average, driven by increasing populations and the need for criminal justice and public health services. Certification and experience with autopsy procedures and forensic techniques are important for employment opportunities.

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

To thrive as a Forensic Pathologist, you need a medical degree, completion of a pathology residency, and specialized training in forensic pathology, typically culminating in board certification. Expertise in laboratory techniques, autopsy procedures, and evidence-handling systems is crucial for accurate casework. Exceptional analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex findings clearly are vital soft skills in this role. These competencies are essential for delivering precise cause-of-death determinations and supporting the legal system with reliable expert testimony.
More about Forensics Pathologist Salary jobs
What cities are hiring for Forensics Pathologist Salary jobs? Cities with the most Forensics Pathologist Salary job openings:
What states have the most Forensics Pathologist Salary jobs? States with the most job openings for Forensics Pathologist Salary jobs include:
Infographic showing various Forensics Pathologist Salary job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 33% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 52% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,916 per year, or $40.8 per hour.
Forensic Pathologist - Department of Public Health and Environment / Office of the Medical Examiner

Forensic Pathologist - Department of Public Health and Environment / Office of the Medical Examiner

City and County of Denver

Denver, CO

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 hours ago


City and County Of Denver rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

92nd of 649 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

About Our Job

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose - for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver.

What We Offer

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. New hires are typically brought into the organization between $240,000.00 - $364,005.00. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:

  • A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service

  • 457B Retirement Plan

  • 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day and 1 volunteer day per year

  • Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

  • Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

Location & Schedule

In this position you can expect to work on site at the Office of the Medical Examiner, located at 500 Quivas St, in Denver, CO. The Office of the Medical Examiner is a 24/7/365 operation, though autopsies are performed Monday - Friday, excluding weekends and holidays. On-call duties are shared between all Forensic Pathologists including the Chief.

Who We Are & What You'll Do

Within the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE), the Office of the Medical Examiner (OME) investigates all violent, suspicious and unexpected natural deaths within the jurisdiction of the City and County of Denver. The goal of forensic investigation and autopsy is to develop logical, scientific, and unbiased information necessary to determine the cause and manner of death for the proper and accurate completion of the death certificate and autopsy report. The agency also offers death expert testimony/consultation, death scene response and investigation, and deceased identification and death notification. OME reports and other information can be found at: DDPHE: Office of the Medical Examiner.

We foster an inclusive culture by respecting the values, customs, and authenticity of everyone and by implementing equitable public health strategies so Denver communities can thrive.

As a Forensic Pathologist, you will perform postmortem examinations and medicolegal autopsies to determine cause and manner of death. Additionally, this position will assist the Chief Medical Examiner in assessing the quality of services provided and ensure staff and visitors conform with department policies at scenes and in the autopsy room and will assist in the development and implementation of office policies and procedures. This position will report to the Chief Medical Examiner.

Specifically, in this position, you will:

  • Provides clinical functions of the office and provide technical oversight, mentorship, and leadership in the development and application of forensic pathology practices.

  • Reviews deaths reported to the Office of the Medical Examiner as required by Colorado Statute and determines appropriate examination type including autopsy, external, and chart review.

  • Performs medicolegal autopsies in accordance with accepted standards in the recognized medical specialty of forensic pathology.

  • Orders and interprets necessary diagnostic tests to aid in the diagnosis of disease and non-natural pathology, understands the effects of postmortem interval on laboratory test results, and determines the cause and manner of death.

  • Assists in the education and training of fellows, residents, medical students, interns, and others in the function of the Medical Examiner/Coroner and in forensic pathology.

  • Shares on-call responsibilities with other staff physicians, responds to homicide or other suspicious death scenes as requested by the Medical Examiner investigator or police department, and consults on the release of organs and tissue for recovery by procurement agencies.

  • Gives testimony as to the cause of death and renders expert opinions in a variety of legal forums, both criminal and civil.

  • Collects evidence and preserves it using accepted chain of custody procedures, documents findings at autopsy including pertinent traumatic injuries in the form of a written report, and photographs pertinent findings and traumatic injuries.

  • Consults with medical experts as necessary to aid in the determination of the cause of death.

  • Meets and/or confers with attorneys, law enforcement, and health professionals to discuss the autopsy findings and investigation.

  • Meets and/or speaks with families to discuss the results of the autopsy and the particulars of the death investigation and communicates with the media and other interested parties about the autopsy report.

  • Assists in the planning and participation of research activities that the office collaborates on.

  • Assists the Chief Medical Examiner in assessing the quality of services provided, helps ensure that staff and visitors conform with office and department safety policies at scenes and in the autopsy room, and assists in the development of office safety policies and in the development of office emergency preparedness plans.

  • Assists in the collaboration with local, regional, and state law enforcement, investigative, legal, and medical agencies including public health.

  • Along with all DDPHE staff, actively participate in emergency preparedness and response team activities to support DDPHE's responsibilities outlined in the City's Emergency Operations Plan. This may require being 'on-call' from time to time respond to emergencies. Training will be provided.

  • Other duties as assigned.

What You'll Bring

We value diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience and exemplify this through the makeup of our team at all levels. You'll be right at home here if you cultivate strong relationships and push yourself, your work, the people around you and Denver to the next level.

Our ideal candidate has some or all the following experience, skills, and characteristics:

  • Experience as a Forensic Pathologist or similar position at a municipality.

  • Experience with, and interest in, training and/or mentoring Forensic Pathology Fellowship students

  • Passion for mentoring, teaching, training, researching, and instructional methods.

  • Expertise in forensic pathology principles, methods, processes, and tools.

  • Knowledge of forensic pathology quality assurance, quality control, and reliability.

  • Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, regulations, and executive orders.

Required Minimum Qualifications
  • Education requirement: Graduation from an approved school of medicine plus completion of post-graduate training approved by the American Board of Pathology.

  • Experience Requirement: None.

  • Education/Experience Equivalency: No substitution of experience for education is permitted.

  • License/Certifications: Possession of a license to practice medicine in the State of Colorado at the time of appointment (or eligibility for licensure with the application process initiated) and board certification in Anatomic or Anatomic/Clinical Pathology is required at the time of application.

  • Must be eligible to sit for the Forensic Pathology Boards at the time of appointment. Must pass the Forensic pathology boards within 18 months of employment.

  • Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.

  • It is a condition of employment that the Denver Police Forensics & Evidence Division form for consent for collection of a DNA sample be completed at the time of hire.

Application Deadline

This position is expected to stay open until Friday, June 19, 2026. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than that date at 11:59 PM.

To be considered for this position, you must include the following on your job application (upload the attachment(s) to the Resume/CV section on the My Experience tab):

  • Cover letter

  • Resume / CV

About Everything Else

Job Profile

CO2721 Forensic Pathologist

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type

Unlimited

Position Salary Range

$214,121.00 - $364,005.00

Target Pay

$240,000.00 - $364,005.00, based on experience.

Agency

Dept of Public Health & Environment

Redeployment during Citywide Emergencies

City and County of Denver employees may be re-deployed to work in other capacities in their own agencies or in other city agencies to support core functions of the city during a citywide emergency declared by the Mayor.

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact Jobs@Denvergov.org with three business days' notice.

Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.


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About City and County of Denver

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

City and County of Denver operates in the government sector, serving the residents of the city and county of Denver, Colorado, USA. It was officially formed when the city and county merged in 1902 to simplify the local government. Under a mayoral structure, the organization provides a wide range of services, including public safety, human services, public works, and more, to Denver's diverse population. Adhering to its core values - Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Customer Service, Safety, and Excellence in Public Service, its mission is to deliver a world-class city where everyone matters. Some of its notable achievements include innovative public projects and continuous efforts to enhance the community's quality of life.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Denver, CO, US

Year founded

1859