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The differences between epidemiologists and pathologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an epidemiologist, becoming a pathologist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a pathologist has an average salary of $61,808, which is higher than the $59,329 average annual salary of an epidemiologist.
The top three skills for an epidemiologist include SAS, data analysis and statistical analysis. The most important skills for a pathologist are patients, patient care, and diagnosis.
| Epidemiologist | Pathologist | |
| Yearly salary | $59,329 | $61,808 |
| Hourly rate | $28.52 | $29.72 |
| Growth rate | 26% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 485 | 20,340 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Master's Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 41 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
An epidemiologist specializes in studying and investigating different diseases, including its causes and effects on the human body. Their responsibilities revolve around gathering samples and subjecting them to various experiments and scientific procedures, traveling to different areas to conduct observations and in-depth analysis, maintaining extensive records, coordinating with other scientists and experts, and summarizing findings into reports and presentations. Furthermore, as an epidemiologist, it is vital to utilize expertise by creating policies for a healthy and safe environment for everyone.
Pathologists are medical healthcare professionals who are responsible for conducting examinations of bodies and body tissues. These pathologists must perform laboratory tests of body fluids and tissues to help primary care doctors make a diagnosis about the health of patients who are with chronic conditions. They specialize in genetic testing that will examine a tissue biopsy to determine whether a tumor is benign or cancerous. Pathologists must also perform autopsies to inform family members of the deceased about the cause of death and help them take preventive action for their own health.
Epidemiologists and pathologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Epidemiologist | Pathologist | |
| Average salary | $59,329 | $61,808 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $125,000 | Between $25,000 And $148,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Exxon Mobil | UT Medical Group, Inc. |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between an epidemiologist and a pathologist in terms of educational background:
| Epidemiologist | Pathologist | |
| Most common degree | Master's Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Ecology, Population Biology, And Epidemiology | Physiology And Anatomy |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between epidemiologists' and pathologists' demographics:
| Epidemiologist | Pathologist | |
| Average age | 41 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 35.8% Female, 64.2% | Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 20.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 13% |