How Much Do Forensic Doctors Get Paid?
Forensic doctors, formally known as forensic pathologists or medical examiners, are licensed physicians who conduct autopsies to determine the time and cause of a person's death. These examinations help police investigators solve homicides and other cases involving foul play. Like other physicians, forensic pathologists undergo years of education and training, but receive relatively high salaries for their medical and forensic knowledge.
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Average Salary
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The majority of forensic physicians work in state, county or city medical examiners' or coroners' offices. The InsidePrison.com website reports average salary figures for professionals in a wide range of forensic specialties, including pathology. The website reported that forensic medical examiners earn average salaries ranging from $120,000 to $163,000 a year. However, some medical examiners may earn higher salaries.
Salary Ranges
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Annual compensation for forensic pathologists can vary with such factors as experience, employer and seniority. Inside Prison reported that a deputy medical examiner may earn as little as $50,000 a year to start, but can earn as much as $200,000 a year. Experienced forensic physicians can advance to the position of chief medical examiner, directing a medical examiner's office. According to Inside Prison, a chief medical examiner can earn an average salary ranging from $145,000 to more than $230,000 a year.
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Geography
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Geographic location can affect the size of a forensic doctor's salary, as well. The website Coroners.org lists forensic pathologist jobs. Information from the website showed that a forensic pathologist in Kern County, California, located north of Los Angeles, can earn between $210,000 and $253,000 a year. Meanwhile, a forensic doctor in Riverside County, California, east of Los Angeles, can earn between $153,000 and $171,000 a year.
Considerations
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Like other medical experts, becoming a forensic pathologist requires years of education and training. The National Association of Medical Examiners estimates that becoming a medical examiner requires about 13 years of study, including four years of college, followed by four years of medical school. After medical school, new doctors undergo specialized training in pathology and forensics. This means new pathologists could be in their early 30s by the time they begin practicing. In addition, the costs of medical education and training could mean thousands of dollars in student loans and other debts for new physicians.
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