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Molecular Pathologist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

UC Davis Health

Pathology Physician

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$210K - $409K/yr

... serve as a Molecular Pathologist at the Assistant, Associate or Full Professor rank, in the Clinical (X) or Health Sciences Clinical Professor (HSCP) series. Formal director-level leadership ...

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Molecular Pathologist information

See California salary details

$197.4K

$234.4K

$286.7K

How much do molecular pathologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for molecular pathologist in California is $234,389.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $213,700.00 and $246,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a molecular pathologist?

A molecular pathologist is a physician who focuses on the study of diseases by analyzing blood, organs, tissue, or other bodily fluids at the molecular level. This kind of testing is vital in identifying and treating diseases, especially when determining between illnesses with similar symptoms. For example, Type I and Type II diabetes both elevate blood sugar levels and have other related symptoms, but the causes are different, and the two diseases should be treated with distinct medical plans. The differences between the two conditions are often detected at the molecular level. As a molecular pathologist, your job duties include examining tissue or organ samples, analyzing the data to help diagnose illnesses, suggest treatment plans, and keep accurate records and documentation on your findings.

What is a molecular pathologist?

A Molecular Pathologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing diseases by examining molecules, such as DNA, RNA, and proteins, within tissues and body fluids. They use advanced laboratory techniques to analyze genetic and molecular changes associated with various conditions, including cancer and infectious diseases. Molecular Pathologists play a crucial role in personalized medicine by helping to guide targeted therapies based on an individual's unique molecular profile. Their work often involves collaborating with other healthcare professionals to interpret test results and determine the best course of treatment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a molecular pathologist?

To thrive as a Molecular Pathologist, you need a strong background in pathology, molecular biology, and genetics, usually supported by a medical degree, board certification in pathology, and fellowship training in molecular pathology. Familiarity with molecular diagnostic techniques, next-generation sequencing (NGS), PCR, and laboratory information systems is essential. Analytical thinking, meticulous attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for interpreting complex results and collaborating with clinical teams. These skills and qualifications are vital for providing accurate diagnoses, guiding patient treatment, and advancing precision medicine.

What are some common challenges molecular pathologists encounter when interpreting complex diagnostic cases?

Molecular Pathologists often face challenges such as analyzing ambiguous or limited-quality samples, interpreting complex genetic data, and staying current with rapidly evolving diagnostic technologies. Collaboration with clinicians and laboratory staff is crucial to ensure accurate results, especially when test findings are unexpected or inconclusive. Additionally, Molecular Pathologists must navigate regulatory requirements and maintain clear communication with multidisciplinary teams to provide actionable insights for patient care.

What is the difference between Molecular Pathologist vs Anatomic Pathologist?

AspectMolecular PathologistAnatomic Pathologist
CredentialsMedical degree, pathology residency, specialized training in molecular diagnosticsMedical degree, pathology residency, training in surgical pathology
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research settings, hospitalsHospitals, surgical centers, laboratories
Industry UsageGenetic testing, cancer diagnostics, personalized medicineHistopathology, surgical specimen analysis, disease diagnosis

Both roles require medical degrees and pathology training, but Molecular Pathologists focus on genetic and molecular testing, while Anatomic Pathologists analyze tissue samples for disease diagnosis. They often work in different settings but share overlapping skills in pathology.

How long does it take to be a molecular pathologist?

Becoming a molecular pathologist typically requires about 13 to 15 years of education and training. This includes four years of undergraduate studies, four years of medical school, a one-year internship, a three-year residency in pathology, and a one- to two-year fellowship in molecular pathology. Certification and licensing are also necessary before practicing independently.

What do you need to be a molecular pathologist?

To become a molecular pathologist, one typically needs a medical degree (MD or DO), completion of a pathology residency, and specialized fellowship training in molecular pathology. Certification by a relevant medical board, such as the American Board of Pathology, is also required, along with strong skills in laboratory techniques and molecular diagnostics.
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Molecular Pathologist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Molecular Pathologist job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $234,389 per year, or $112.7 per hour.

Molecular Pathologist

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Beverly Pathology
See more jobs at Beverly Pathologyexternal

Other

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

Academic Molecular Pathologist

The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is inviting applications for an academically oriented, board-certified, or board-eligible Molecular Pathologist. Ideally, the applicant will have experience with both somatic tumor testing and constitutional genomics including whole genome sequencing. Applicants must be eligible for a California medical license. The successful candidate will join a subspecialized pathology service that supports the clinical and academic mission of the internationally recognized clinical and research programs at Cedars-Sinai.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, located at the junction of Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, is an 886 licensed bed quaternary medical care facility and is the largest private not-for-profit provider of health care on the West Coast, serving more than 9 million people in Los Angeles County, treating more cancer patients than any other medical center in Southern California. The successful candidate will be employed by Beverly Pathology, an independently contracted pathology group under the Cedars-Sinai Medical Foundation providing exclusive pathology services to the Medical Center.

The Department, with its 57 faculty, oversees a clinical operation of over approximately 5 million laboratory tests, including 70,000 surgical cases and more than 4,000 (and growing) tumor NGS cases, a new clinical genome service and with robust outreach and consultative referral practices. All faculty participate in teaching residents, fellows, and students and engage in scholarship, including basic, translational, and/or clinical research.

Eligibility for an academic appointment in the Cedars-Sinai Health System Professorial Program is required.

Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, letter of interest, and the names of three references.

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