Podiatrist vs podiatric surgeon

The differences between podiatrists and podiatric surgeons can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a podiatrist, becoming a podiatric surgeon takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a podiatric surgeon has an average salary of $438,032, which is higher than the $94,771 average annual salary of a podiatrist.

The top three skills for a podiatrist include patients, EMR and patient care. The most important skills for a podiatric surgeon are ankle, general surgery, and scheduling appointments.

Podiatrist vs podiatric surgeon overview

	Podiatrist	Podiatric Surgeon
Yearly salary	$94,771	$438,032
Hourly rate	$45.56	$210.59
Growth rate	2%	7%
Number of jobs	16,003	3,472
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 37%	Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Average age	47	49
Years of experience	4	6

Podiatrist vs podiatric surgeon salary

Podiatrists and podiatric surgeons have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Podiatrist	Podiatric Surgeon
Average salary	$94,771	$438,032
Salary range	Between $49,000 And $181,000	Between $217,000 And $882,000
Highest paying City	Rockville, MD	-
Highest paying state	Maryland	-
Best paying company	Baylor Scott & White Health	-
Best paying industry	Health Care	-

Differences between podiatrist and podiatric surgeon education

There are a few differences between a podiatrist and a podiatric surgeon in terms of educational background:

	Podiatrist	Podiatric Surgeon
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 37%	Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Most common major	Podiatric Medicine	Podiatric Medicine
Most common college	Kent State University	Stanford University

Podiatrist vs podiatric surgeon demographics

Here are the differences between podiatrists' and podiatric surgeons' demographics:

	Podiatrist	Podiatric Surgeon
Average age	47	49
Gender ratio	Male, 39.9% Female, 60.1%	Male, 62.9% Female, 37.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 1.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.0% Asian, 13.3% White, 73.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 1.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 5.0% Asian, 12.7% White, 76.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	36%	12%

Differences between podiatrist and podiatric surgeon duties and responsibilities

Podiatrist example responsibilities.

Manage all incoming medical records requests (ensuring office is within HIPPA guidelines).
Utilize ultrasound, x-ray, casting, and orthotics.
Adhere to OSHA, CILA and HIPPA regulations.
Schedule appointments, register patients and verify patients' eligibility and claims status with insurance agencies.
Perform evaluations and treatments of patients with vascular, dermatological, orthopedic and neurological problems of the lower extremity.
Assist Dr.Guidice in office surgeries.

Podiatric surgeon example responsibilities.

Manage all incoming medical records requests (ensuring office is within HIPPA guidelines).
Plan, administer and record progress of prescribe courses of treatment of the foot, ankle and relate structures.
Focus practice primarily in the areas of foot and ankle reconstructive surgery, trauma, sports medicine and diabetes management.
Coordinate with patients and medical staff at civilian and military treatment facilities to schedule medical appointments and retrieve medical documentation.
Collect R/R, IME and QME as they come in thru the billing department without having the case settle.

Podiatrist vs podiatric surgeon skills

Common podiatrist skills

Patients, 32%
EMR, 16%
Patient Care, 11%
Medical Care, 6%
Ankle, 4%
Test Results, 4%

Common podiatric surgeon skills

Ankle, 63%
General Surgery, 23%
Scheduling Appointments, 13%

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Podiatrist
Podiatrist vs Podiatric Surgeon

Updated January 8, 2025

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