Coroner vs forensic pathologist

The differences between coroners and forensic pathologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a coroner and a forensic pathologist. Additionally, a forensic pathologist has an average salary of $57,239, which is higher than the $53,616 average annual salary of a coroner.

The top three skills for a coroner include law enforcement agencies, death investigations and physical evidence. The most important skills for a forensic pathologist are body fluids, , and .

Coroner vs forensic pathologist overview

	Coroner	Forensic Pathologist
Yearly salary	$53,616	$57,239
Hourly rate	$25.78	$27.52
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	111	20,624
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 37%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	2	2

Coroner vs forensic pathologist salary

Coroners and forensic pathologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Coroner	Forensic Pathologist
Average salary	$53,616	$57,239
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $109,000	Between $26,000 And $122,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between coroner and forensic pathologist education

There are a few differences between a coroner and a forensic pathologist in terms of educational background:

	Coroner	Forensic Pathologist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 37%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Biology
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Stanford University

Coroner vs forensic pathologist demographics

Here are the differences between coroners' and forensic pathologists' demographics:

	Coroner	Forensic Pathologist
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 51.4% Female, 48.6%	Male, 47.6% Female, 52.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 8.1% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 6.6% White, 68.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between coroner and forensic pathologist duties and responsibilities

Coroner example responsibilities.

Perform DNA extraction, quantitation and PCR amplification
Perform in-depth forensic analysis of Macintosh computer hard drives and prepare expert report for use in ongoing litigation.
Upload to and compare candidate match profiles using the CODIS system.
Perform frozen sectioning for in-surgical consultation.

Forensic pathologist example responsibilities.

Supervise and manage pathology, microbiology and biochemistry laboratory.
Work independently under protocols for treatment to provide STI risk assessment, treatment, and prophylaxis including emergency contraception.
Work independently under protocols for treatment to provide STI risk assessment, treatment, and prophylaxis including emergency contraception.

Coroner vs forensic pathologist skills

Common coroner skills

Law Enforcement Agencies, 37%
Death Investigations, 37%
Physical Evidence, 18%
Death Scenes, 6%
Death Certificates, 2%

Common forensic pathologist skills

Body Fluids, 100%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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