The Pay for Forensic Pathologists in Texas
Forensic pathologists are medical doctors who conduct autopsies and other investigations to determine a cause of death. They typically work as medical examiners for law enforcement agencies. According to the National Organization of Medical Examiners, forensic pathologists specialize in the investigation of sudden, unexpected and violent deaths; they attempt to identify the deceased and to determine the time of death, the manner of death (natural, accident, suicide or homicide), the cause of death, the nature of the instrument used to cause the death, and whether the death was caused by injury. Forensic pathologists may also perform private autopsies unrelated to the criminal justice system.
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U.S. Average Salary
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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies forensic pathologists as part of the group "Physicians and Surgeons, All Other" in terms of salary statistics. The average national salary for this group is $180,870, reflecting an hourly wage of $86.96.
Texas Salary
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Texas is one of the five states that employ the highest level of forensic pathologists, reporting a total of 18,090 forensic pathologists working in the state as of May 2010. According to the BLS, the average salary of a forensic pathologist working in Texas is $175,680. The Dallas-Plano-Irving metropolitan area pays its medical examiners a little more, an average wage of $185,580. In both the Sherman-Denison and Longview metropolitan areas, as well as in the non-metropolitan East Texas region, the typical yearly salary is $166,400.
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Industries
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Forensic pathologists work in crime labs and other laboratories for local government, including cities, counties and states; the federal government; medical schools; and the military. In some areas, they are employed by private groups or hospitals to perform autopsies. For those who work in medical and diagnostic laboratories, including forensic laboratories, the average annual wage is $230,340. The federal executive branch pays an average annual salary of $180,280. General medical and surgical hospitals pay an annual median salary of $131,980.
Prospects
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The future job outlook for forensic pathologists is very good. Between 2008 and 2018, according to the BLS, the field is expected to grow by 20 percent, higher than the national average for all positions, according to Onet Online.
Education
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According to the National Association of Medical Examiners, forensic pathologists must earn a Bachelor's degree, and then a medical degree -- an M.D. or D.O. After medical school, there are two routes to the specialty. The first is to spend another four years studying anatomic and clinical pathology, culminating in a one-year forensic pathology residency. Aspiring medical examiners can take a second route, which involves three to four years studying anatomic pathology, and then complete training for one year in forensic pathology. Forensic pathology residents will conduct autopsies. After the training period is over, physicians must pass an exam given by the American Board of Pathology to become board-certified in forensic pathology, reports NAME.
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References
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