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The differences between medical examiners and doctors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a doctor has an average salary of $208,582, which is higher than the $156,092 average annual salary of a medical examiner.
The top three skills for a medical examiner include EKG, medical history and vital signs. The most important skills for a doctor are patients, customer service, and emergency medicine.
| Medical Examiner | Doctor | |
| Yearly salary | $156,092 | $208,582 |
| Hourly rate | $75.04 | $100.28 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 47,428 | 14,571 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Average age | 37 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 12 | - |
A medical examiner works with deceased bodies to determine the cause and time of death. They analyze available information, testify in court, act as an expert witness in various criminal and civil cases, and provide forensic evidence. They are generally only expected to investigate deaths that occur under suspicious circumstances, as not all deaths will require an autopsy.
A doctor is a medical expert who diagnoses and treats illnesses and injuries, often specializing in particular areas. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting initial interviews and examinations, studying a patient's medical history and laboratory results, providing consultations and care advice, prescribing medication, and referring patients to specialists when necessary. They must also coordinate and maintain an active communication line with nurses, administrators, and technicians for a smooth workflow. Moreover, a doctor must educate patients about their health conditions, helping them understand their situation better.
Medical examiners and doctors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Medical Examiner | Doctor | |
| Average salary | $156,092 | $208,582 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $308,000 | Between $106,000 And $408,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Green Bay, WI |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Ohio |
| Best paying company | Bexar County | Saint Luke's Health System |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a medical examiner and a doctor in terms of educational background:
| Medical Examiner | Doctor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Medicine |
| Most common college | - | Duke University |
Here are the differences between medical examiners' and doctors' demographics:
| Medical Examiner | Doctor | |
| Average age | 37 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0% | Male, 45.8% Female, 54.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.7% Asian, 9.3% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 13% |