Salary of a Doctor of Physiology

Doctors of physiology study the way that living systems function, including understanding the physiological processes of organs and chemical processes that take place within animals and plants, as opposed to exercise physiologists, who treat sports-related injuries. Physiologists hold a doctorate from a biology program -- as opposed to an exercise and sports science program -- and perform research functions for government agencies, research universities and in the private sector.

Average Salary

Because most physiologists aren't required to receive training in a residency training or in a hospital setting, most physiologists hold a traditional doctorate rather than a medical doctorate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't specifically track the earnings for physiologists, and classifies them as a portion of its biological scientists classification. Biological scientists earned an average annual salary of $68,220 as of May 2010, according to the bureau.

Federal Employees

Physiologists who work for a federal agency may earn salaries that are much higher than the median income for their field. Physiologists employed by the executive branch earned an average annual salary of $109,323 as of March 2009, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Those average earnings were the second highest among biological science specialties, eclipsing all other specialists save zoologists, who receive an average annual salary of $116,908. The executive branch's lowest paid biological science specialty was botanists, who earned $72,792 annually, still well above the national average salary for biological scientists.

Career Prospectus

Although they possess niche knowledge and training, doctors of physiology are expected to have a better than average chance of finding employment in their field. The number of positions for miscellaneous biological scientists, the career field in which physiologists are, is projected to grow between 14 and 19 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to O-Net Online, with governmental and educational employers providing the most jobs in the field. About 16,000 job openings are estimated to open between 2008 and 2018.

Standard Coursework

Instead of focusing on the identification and treatment of illnesses, as medical doctors are trained, a physiology doctorate program combines classroom instruction with laboratory experience, concentrating on neuroscience, microbiology, cell biology and scientific ethics, among other fields. Many physiologists also obtain specialized training in a concentration of their choice. Upon graduation, holders of a physiology doctorate frequently find employment as researchers, college professors or instructors, or use the degree to transition into a healthcare related field, and earn a medical degree or certification as an advanced practice nurse.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Biological Scientists
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Biological Scientists, All Other - Occupational Employment and Wages
• Education Portal: Ph.D. in Physiology Program Information
• O-Net Online: Summary Report for Biological Scientists - All Other