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Podiatrist

$152,800
median pay per year
full range coming in the next data update

What the job actually is

Diagnose and treat conditions of the foot, ankle, and lower leg, including surgery when needed.

Where you work

Private practices, clinics, and hospitals.

The hours

Full-time, with some on-call

By the numbers

May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.

Median pay
$152,800
per year
What most earn
range coming soon
Openings a year
~300
projected, 2024–34
Outlook to 2034
+2%
About average
Working in the U.S.
9,700
people, nationwide

Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.

“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.

How you get in

Typical starting education

Doctoral / professional degree

Training path: Doctoral degree + residency.

License or certification

Podiatrists need a medical degree in podiatry, a residency, and a state license.

What it takes

DiagnosisMinor surgeryPatient careAnatomy knowledge

The honest take

A specialized doctoral track with strong pay, though the field is small and openings are few.

Standard Occupational Classification 29-1081. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.