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Veterinary Pathologist Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Veterinary Pathologist information

See Tennessee salary details

$41.3K

$226K

$351.2K

How much do veterinary pathologist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for veterinary pathologist in Tennessee is $225,998.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $184,700.00 and $273,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Veterinary Pathologist vs Veterinary Laboratory Technician?

AspectVeterinary PathologistVeterinary Laboratory Technician
Required CredentialsDoctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent, specialized training in pathologyAssociate's or Bachelor's degree in veterinary technology or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, diagnostic laboratories, universities, or veterinary hospitalsVeterinary clinics, diagnostic labs, research facilities
Industry UsageFocuses on diagnosing diseases through tissue analysis and researchPerforms laboratory tests, prepares samples, and assists in diagnostics

While both roles work within veterinary diagnostics, Veterinary Pathologists specialize in disease diagnosis through tissue examination and research, requiring advanced degrees. Veterinary Laboratory Technicians support diagnostic processes by performing tests and preparing samples, often with less formal education. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in veterinary diagnostics.

What Does a Veterinary Pathologist Do?

As a veterinary pathologist, your duties are slightly different depending on whether you work in small or large animal veterinary medicine and whether you run a practice that deals mainly with pets or a business that involves consulting and research services for a rancher or other livestock operation. As a small animal or family practice pathologist, your responsibilities are to diagnose diseases in animals. You study tissue samples from organs and body fluid to reach a diagnosis. In livestock veterinary pathology, a veterinary pathologist studies herds for communicable diseases that may affect production. Some veterinary pathologists work for the FDA or other federal programs to investigate outbreaks.

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

To thrive as a Veterinary Pathologist, you need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, board certification (such as from the ACVP), and expertise in animal disease diagnosis. Familiarity with laboratory diagnostic tools, histopathology techniques, and digital pathology systems is typically required. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital for collaborating with veterinarians and researchers. These skills and qualifications are essential for ensuring accurate disease identification, advancing animal health research, and supporting effective treatment decisions.

What is a veterinary pathologist?

A veterinary pathologist is a specialized veterinarian who studies diseases in animals by examining tissues, organs, bodily fluids, and laboratory test results. They play a crucial role in diagnosing illnesses, understanding disease processes, and supporting animal health by working in laboratories, research institutions, universities, or diagnostic centers. Veterinary pathologists use their expertise to assist in disease surveillance, support public health, and contribute to advancements in both animal and human medicine. Their work can involve both clinical pathology (analyzing blood and other bodily fluids) and anatomical pathology (examining tissues and organs).

What are some common challenges faced by veterinary pathologists in their daily work?

Veterinary pathologists often encounter the challenge of diagnosing complex cases where clinical signs and laboratory findings may be ambiguous or overlap between different diseases. Additionally, they must stay current with rapidly advancing diagnostic techniques and emerging animal diseases. Balancing casework, research, and collaboration with clinicians or other scientists can also be demanding. Effective communication is essential, as pathologists frequently explain findings and recommendations to veterinarians, researchers, and sometimes animal owners.
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Veterinary Pathologist jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Veterinary Pathologist job openings:
Infographic showing various Veterinary Pathologist job openings in Tennessee as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $225,998 per year, or $108.7 per hour.
Faculty Position - Department of Pathology, Comparative Pathologist

Faculty Position - Department of Pathology, Comparative Pathologist

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Memphis, TN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago


St. Jude Children's Research Hospital rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

41st of 1,051 rated hospitals


Job description

SJCRH
Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Comparative Pathology
Comparative Pathology Core, Department of Pathology
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is seeking a Comparative Pathologist for a faculty position in the Division of Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology. This is an exceptional opportunity to join a highly collaborative research environment and partner with world-class scientists advancing discovery in oncology, hematology, immunology, neuroscience, and infectious disease.
The successful candidate will contribute deep expertise in translational and comparative pathobiology, histopathology, and quantitative pathology while helping shape innovative preclinical research programs and the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Academic rank at the assistant, associate, or full professor level will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and experience. The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately.
INSTITUTION: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for pioneering research in pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases and offers a uniquely collaborative environment for translational discovery. The Division of Comparative Pathology manages the Comparative Pathology Core (CPC), which is one of many shared resources established by St. Jude to support all research programs on campus. These shared resources are equipped with sophisticated instrumentation not readily available to individual laboratories and are staffed by experts that make cutting-edge technologies accessible and affordable to investigators. The CPC provides investigators utilizing preclinical models with access to clinical pathology (hematology, clinical chemistry, serology, bacteriology, and molecular diagnostics) and anatomic pathology (collection, processing, staining, and evaluation of tissues) services. This position offers the opportunity to contribute as both a scientific collaborator and faculty member in a research-intensive academic setting.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Conduct histopathologic, immunohistochemical, in situ hybridization, and morphometric evaluations of tissue samples from preclinical basic and translational research studies spanning diverse fields such as oncology, hematology, immunology, neuroscience, and infectious disease.
  • Advise investigators on the effective application of microscopy, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, in situ hybridization, and digital pathology/image analysis to elucidate disease mechanisms.
  • Integrate findings across experimental systems and species to explain disease pathophysiology in animal models and interpret the translational relevance of comparative pathology observations.
  • Develop, troubleshoot, and standardize multiplex in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry protocols for novel targets and biomarkers.
  • Coordinate with research investigators, pathology colleagues, and specialized shared resources, including the Center for Spatial Omics, the Cell and Tissue Imaging Center, and the Center for In Vivo Imaging and Therapeutics, to advance collaborative projects.
  • Contribute to the scientific literature through publication of collaborative research findings and case reports in peer-reviewed journals.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Required: DVM/VMD or an equivalent degree; board certification in anatomic pathology by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists or the European College of Veterinary Pathologists; exceptional interpersonal, technical, written, and verbal communication skills; and a demonstrated ability to work effectively in collaborative, multidisciplinary teams.
  • Preferred: Training and experience in comparative pathology, proficiency with digital pathology and image analysis tools, and a discovery-oriented approach to collaborative research. The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic communicator and scientific partner who can exercise independent judgment in recommending and implementing optimal methods to support St. Jude investigators.

APPLICATION INFORMATION: Applications should be submitted directly online as a single PDF document and must include: a cover letter describing the applicant's experience in anatomic pathology, a detailed curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information for three professional references from whom letters of reference may be requested.
This position will remain open, and applications will be considered until the position is filled.
For more information/initial inquiries:
Dr. Laura Janke
Director, Division of Comparative Pathology
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
M/S 250, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
(Laura.Janke@STJUDE.ORG)
ST. JUDE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer
No Search Firms
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.

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