Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Best states for a pathologist
Quoted expert
Kristina Martin
- Rank 1 - 10
- 11 - 20
- 21 - 30
- 31 - 40
- 41 - 51
We decided to bring you a list of the best states for jobs for pathologists in the United States. Pathologist positions are available in every state, but not all states are the same. Some states do not offer the same wages, benefits, time off, etc for pathologists.In fact, our research shows that West Virginia is the best state for pathologists in America. The best city in America for pathologists with the highest pay is Anchorage, AK.
We figured that the best places for pathologist jobs has three things everyone would agree on. There would be high annual wages, good career prospects (no matter what phase of the career you are in), and a lot of job opportunities.We found that West Virginia is the best state for pathologist jobs, whereas Utah is the worst.
10 best states for pathologists in 2026
1. West Virginia
Total pathologist jobs: 253 Average annual salary: $73,858 Lowest 10 percent earn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $152,000 Location Quotient: 3.96
2. New Hampshire
Total pathologist jobs: 255 Average annual salary: $75,989 Lowest 10 percent earn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $160,000 Location Quotient: 3.48
3. Connecticut
Total pathologist jobs: 195 Average annual salary: $78,872 Lowest 10 percent earn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $164,000 Location Quotient: 1.41
4. Vermont
Total pathologist jobs: 105 Average annual salary: $75,663 Lowest 10 percent earn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $159,000 Location Quotient: 3.27
5. Massachusetts
Total pathologist jobs: 536 Average annual salary: $78,213 Lowest 10 percent earn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $164,000 Location Quotient: 1.39
6. Rhode Island
Total pathologist jobs: 45 Average annual salary: $85,849 Lowest 10 percent earn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $175,000 Location Quotient: 0.88
7. Maryland
Total pathologist jobs: 310 Average annual salary: $78,799 Lowest 10 percent earn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $162,000 Location Quotient: 1.17
8. Delaware
Total pathologist jobs: 77 Average annual salary: $69,535 Lowest 10 percent earn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $147,000 Location Quotient: 1.47
9. Michigan
Total pathologist jobs: 318 Average annual salary: $70,723 Lowest 10 percent earn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $146,000 Location Quotient: 0.98
10. Alaska
Total pathologist jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $89,789 Lowest 10 percent earn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $172,000 Location Quotient: 0.43
Pathologist jobsNear Columbus, OH
How Zippia determines the best states to be a pathologist
You can read about how the best state rankings are calculated here.
Detailed list of the best states for a pathologist
| Rank | State | Average salary | Lowest 10% earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $73,858 | $35,000 | 1,815,857 | 253 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $75,989 | $35,000 | 1,342,795 | 255 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $78,872 | $37,000 | 3,588,184 | 195 |
| 4 | Vermont | $75,663 | $35,000 | 623,657 | 105 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $78,213 | $37,000 | 6,859,819 | 536 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $85,849 | $41,000 | 1,059,639 | 45 |
| 7 | Maryland | $78,799 | $38,000 | 6,052,177 | 310 |
| 8 | Delaware | $69,535 | $32,000 | 961,939 | 77 |
| 9 | Michigan | $70,723 | $34,000 | 9,962,311 | 318 |
| 10 | Alaska | $89,789 | $46,000 | 739,795 | 15 |
| 11 | Ohio | $72,334 | $34,000 | 11,658,609 | 301 |
| 12 | New York | $71,259 | $33,000 | 19,849,399 | 516 |
| 13 | District of Columbia | $81,888 | $40,000 | 693,972 | 22 |
| 14 | California | $69,747 | $32,000 | 39,536,653 | 1,361 |
| 15 | Hawaii | $67,795 | $35,000 | 1,427,538 | 43 |
| 16 | Arizona | $65,170 | $30,000 | 7,016,270 | 229 |
| 17 | Maine | $69,967 | $32,000 | 1,335,907 | 33 |
| 18 | Texas | $61,533 | $29,000 | 28,304,596 | 906 |
| 19 | Iowa | $60,774 | $29,000 | 3,145,711 | 171 |
| 20 | Kentucky | $61,353 | $29,000 | 4,454,189 | 143 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $62,622 | $30,000 | 5,795,483 | 181 |
| 22 | Louisiana | $60,201 | $28,000 | 4,684,333 | 154 |
| 23 | South Carolina | $58,888 | $27,000 | 5,024,369 | 247 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $65,988 | $30,000 | 12,805,537 | 278 |
| 25 | Virginia | $59,539 | $27,000 | 8,470,020 | 464 |
| 26 | New Mexico | $58,679 | $27,000 | 2,088,070 | 93 |
| 27 | Nevada | $61,700 | $28,000 | 2,998,039 | 68 |
| 28 | New Jersey | $65,811 | $30,000 | 9,005,644 | 222 |
| 29 | Florida | $55,110 | $25,000 | 20,984,400 | 941 |
| 30 | Kansas | $53,867 | $25,000 | 2,913,123 | 168 |
| 31 | Indiana | $58,513 | $27,000 | 6,666,818 | 231 |
| 32 | North Carolina | $57,726 | $26,000 | 10,273,419 | 392 |
| 33 | Oregon | $57,655 | $25,000 | 4,142,776 | 167 |
| 34 | Illinois | $52,821 | $25,000 | 12,802,023 | 567 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $54,284 | $26,000 | 869,666 | 37 |
| 36 | North Dakota | $52,707 | $25,000 | 755,393 | 41 |
| 37 | Washington | $53,002 | $23,000 | 7,405,743 | 344 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $54,977 | $25,000 | 6,715,984 | 126 |
| 39 | Colorado | $53,887 | $25,000 | 5,607,154 | 188 |
| 40 | Montana | $52,311 | $24,000 | 1,050,493 | 32 |
| 41 | Minnesota | $53,320 | $25,000 | 5,576,606 | 152 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $48,368 | $22,000 | 2,984,100 | 61 |
| 43 | Georgia | $49,167 | $22,000 | 10,429,379 | 325 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $48,909 | $23,000 | 3,004,279 | 59 |
| 45 | Missouri | $46,985 | $22,000 | 6,113,532 | 216 |
| 46 | Idaho | $48,839 | $21,000 | 1,716,943 | 47 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $48,325 | $22,000 | 3,930,864 | 71 |
| 48 | Nebraska | $45,224 | $21,000 | 1,920,076 | 79 |
| 49 | Alabama | $45,914 | $21,000 | 4,874,747 | 116 |
| 50 | Wyoming | $42,545 | $20,000 | 579,315 | 19 |
| 51 | Utah | $46,084 | $20,000 | 3,101,833 | 32 |
Highest paying states for pathologists
| Rank | State | Avg. Pathologist Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $73,858 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $75,989 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $78,872 |
| 4 | Vermont | $75,663 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $78,213 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $85,849 |
| 7 | Maryland | $78,799 |
| 8 | Delaware | $69,535 |
| 9 | Michigan | $70,723 |
| 10 | Alaska | $89,789 |
| 11 | Ohio | $72,334 |
| 12 | New York | $71,259 |
| 13 | District of Columbia | $81,888 |
| 14 | California | $69,747 |
| 15 | Hawaii | $67,795 |
| 16 | Arizona | $65,170 |
| 17 | Maine | $69,967 |
| 18 | Texas | $61,533 |
| 19 | Iowa | $60,774 |
| 20 | Kentucky | $61,353 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $62,622 |
| 22 | Louisiana | $60,201 |
| 23 | South Carolina | $58,888 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $65,988 |
| 25 | Virginia | $59,539 |
| 26 | New Mexico | $58,679 |
| 27 | Nevada | $61,700 |
| 28 | New Jersey | $65,811 |
| 29 | Florida | $55,110 |
| 30 | Kansas | $53,867 |
| 31 | Indiana | $58,513 |
| 32 | North Carolina | $57,726 |
| 33 | Oregon | $57,655 |
| 34 | Illinois | $52,821 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $54,284 |
| 36 | North Dakota | $52,707 |
| 37 | Washington | $53,002 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $54,977 |
| 39 | Colorado | $53,887 |
| 40 | Montana | $52,311 |
| 41 | Minnesota | $53,320 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $48,368 |
| 43 | Georgia | $49,167 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $48,909 |
| 45 | Missouri | $46,985 |
| 46 | Idaho | $48,839 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $48,325 |
| 48 | Nebraska | $45,224 |
| 49 | Alabama | $45,914 |
| 50 | Wyoming | $42,545 |
| 51 | Utah | $46,084 |
Expert opinions on the best states for pathologists
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for pathologists to find work opportunities?
Kristina Martin
Clinical Pathology Operations Director, Michigan Medicine
There is currently a nationwide shortage of medical laboratory scientists, in part due to the silver tsunami of retirements that is not unique to laboratory medicine. There really isn't an area in the U.S. that is better than another as far as an opportunity. The real question is, where do you want to live? Pick a location that fits the type of lifestyle you desire, and I guarantee there are numerous opportunities in laboratory medicine.
Pathologist best states FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.
Search for pathologist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025