12 of the Highest Paying Pathologist Jobs in 2026

The best Pathologist jobs can pay up to $387,500 per year.

High Paying Pathologist Jobs

• Neuropathologist

  Salary range: $362,500 - $387,500

  The majority of Neuropathologist salaries across the United States currently range between $362,500 (25th percentile) and $387,500 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Neuropathologist job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.

• Anatomic Pathologist

  Salary range: $200,000 - $381,500

  An anatomic pathologist is a physician who studies organs and other tissues to help diagnose and treat diseases of patients. Patients do not meet with anatomic pathologists; after tissue samples are taken from the patient, the anatomic pathologist then studies the tissue to determine what illness the patient may have, the extent that it has affected the patient’s body, and how to best treat the affliction. As an anatomic pathologist, you use various equipment for analyzing samples, such as centrifuges, chromatographs, spectrometers, and molecular diagnostic and digital imaging technologies. Anatomic pathologists forward their findings to the patients’ primary care physician or specialist to discuss with the patients. Other job duties include performing autopsies to determine the cause of death of patients.

• Physician Chief of Pathology

  Salary range: $280,000 - $300,000

  The majority of Physician Chief of Pathology salaries across the United States currently range between $280,000 (25th percentile) and $300,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Physician Chief of Pathology job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Clinical Pathologist

  Salary range: $140,000 - $275,000

  Clinical pathologists are specialized physicians who oversee all aspects of a pathology department. You are trained to analyze different specimens, such as blood, bone marrow, urine, and spinal fluid. In this career, you perform simple and complex chemical and biological tests on specimens to determine if there are medical issues. In addition to lab work, your duties include ensuring all the equipment in your lab is in good working order, performing quality assurance and maintenance, and training all employees on how to follow appropriate health and safety practices.

• Forensic Pathologist

  Salary range: $183,000 - $274,000

  Forensic pathologists are specially-trained physicians who work with law enforcement to determine the cause of a suspicious death in a case. They perform an autopsy to examine the body; they test blood and tissue samples, check for indications of injuries caused by firearms or other weapons, and seek other trace evidence that may provide information to the case. Before they make determinations on the cause of death, forensic pathologists also study the victim’s medical history and evaluate other evidence collected at the crime scene and witness statements. Once they compile and analyze the evidence, they prepare a report and may need to testify the reasons behind their findings in court.

• Molecular Pathologist

  Salary range: $216,500 - $250,000

  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.

• Surgical Pathologist

  Salary range: $212,500 - $237,500

  A surgical pathologist is a medical doctor that specializes in a specific form of pathology that evaluates surgically removed tissue. A pathologist is someone that studies diseases and attempts to diagnose diseases based on their research. As a surgical pathologist, your job duties revolve around the microscopic and macroscopic research of tissue. Some examples of the types of tissue that you evaluate include biopsies of cancer cells and surgical resections of entire organs.

• Anatomic Pathology Manager

  Salary range: $63,000 - $102,500

  An anatomic pathology manager works in a laboratory where anatomic pathologists evaluate samples from patients to find diseases or other health conditions. In this career, your job duties include working to develop and implement a plan for laboratory standards and policies. You may review existing practices and report your findings to laboratory stakeholders. You also oversee scheduling and manage the budget for the department. Your responsibilities may also involve recruiting new staff members and coordinating with other departments to solve any operational issues that include the facility.

• Plant Pathologist

  Salary range: $82,500 - $83,000

  Plant pathologists are scientists who work in agriculture and related fields. As a plant pathologist, you work both in a laboratory setting and out in the field to monitor the conditions that affect plant and crop health. In the laboratory setting, you analyze samples of plants, microorganisms, and other aspects of the natural environment. When there are soil problems or a crop disease, you make onsite visits to determine the cause of the problem and recommend best solutions to treat or eradicate the issue. You must keep up to date with the latest research and innovations in biological and agricultural sciences related to diseases or pathogens that may plague plants. Working closely with biologists, farmers, breeders, and botanists at farms, you create quality control measures and improve practices for maintaining safe environments for the plants and find ways to increase crop yields or develop disease resistance.

• Bone Densitometry Technician

  Salary range: $52,500 - $59,500

  The majority of Bone Densitometry Technician salaries across the United States currently range between $52,500 (25th percentile) and $59,500 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Bone Densitometry Technician job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Accessioner

  Salary range: $33,000 - $40,000

  Accessioners help prepare specimens for lab work. As an accessioner, you receive and unpack each sample, identify which test they are used for, check for contamination, and preserve them properly. You also need to sort and catalog each item accurately to ensure nothing is misplaced or mislabeled. Laboratory technicians may request information concerning the sample and testing, so accessioners must also be knowledgeable about the kinds of samples they handle and proficient in the different types of lab tests performed by their organization. This position is also known as specimen accessioners, phlebotomists, or laboratory assistants.

• Specimen Processor

  Salary range: $33,000 - $38,000

  Your duties as a specimen processor, or specimen accessioner, include organizing and cataloging medical specimen sample materials. You typically work in a healthcare laboratory or other clinical setting. Your responsibilities may go beyond receiving and recording patient samples, to storing the samples safely and according to designated processes, and taking any other steps necessary to prepare the samples for analysis by physicians or medical technicians. In some jobs, specimen processors may also collect samples and perform other preparation tasks such as putting blood samples through a centrifuge. These tasks may require additional education and training.