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Job outlook for veterinary pathologists in the United States
Are veterinary pathologist jobs in demand?
Veterinary pathologist job and salary trends over time
Veterinary pathologist jobs over time
Veterinary pathologist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 306 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 292 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 295 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 281 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 275 | 0.00% |
Average veterinary pathologist salary over time
Veterinary pathologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $53,066 | $25.51 | +4.0% |
| 2024 | $51,040 | $24.54 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $50,168 | $24.12 | +3.8% |
| 2022 | $48,345 | $23.24 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $47,463 | $22.82 | +0.3% |
Veterinary pathologist jobs by state
Most common states for veterinary pathologists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 270 | 20% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 107 | 17% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 809 | 12% |
| 4 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 223 | 12% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 99 | 10% |
| 6 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 1,418 | 7% |
| 7 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 593 | 7% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 411 | 7% |
| 9 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 260 | 7% |
| 10 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 207 | 7% |
| 11 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 829 | 6% |
| 12 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 459 | 6% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 337 | 6% |
| 14 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 284 | 6% |
| 15 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 196 | 6% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 62 | 6% |
| 17 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,834 | 5% |
| 18 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 563 | 5% |
| 19 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 454 | 5% |
| 20 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 325 | 5% |
Most common cities for veterinary pathologists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ames | 1 | 2% | $41,620 |
| 2 | Fort Collins | 1 | 1% | $38,297 |
| 3 | Kissimmee | 1 | 1% | $47,719 |
| 4 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $40,289 |
| 5 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $43,511 |
Veterinary Pathologist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of veterinary pathologist experts
Augusta University
Michigan Medicine
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Veterinary Pathologist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Brandy Gunsolus: There is currently a huge demand for medical laboratory personnel, especially at the associate's and bachelor's degree level. There was already a shortage of these highly skilled individuals prior to the pandemic and the need for large-scale testing due to COVID-19 has exasperated the situation. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics stated in 2018 there is an estimated 11% increase in the need of medical laboratory professionals, but recent pandemic data is now showing this projection is now 13-14%, double the average of all other occupations. This is one of the few professions that you can move nearly anywhere in the country and easily find a job.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Veterinary Pathologists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Brandy Gunsolus: We are hiring new graduates here in Augusta, Georgia! We have 65 openings across 37 laboratories in my health system alone and have another staff member retiring next week. Most medium-to-large cities across the country have lots of openings and there are plenty of rural community and critical access hospitals that also have openings.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Veterinary Pathologists to find work opportunities?
Kristina Martin: 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.
What type of skills will young Veterinary Pathologists need?
Kristina Martin: The pace of change in laboratory medicine is increasing as new technologies and challenging opportunities present. New graduates will require versatility, adaptability, and resiliency in order to thrive. Practical laboratory skills are always a must. However, software application savviness will become more of a necessary skill as programs are introduced into medicine to help with the increased complexity and the sheer volume of laboratory testing.
How do you envision technology impacting Veterinary Pathologists in the next 5 years?
Kristina Martin: Technology is constantly evolving to keep pace with the need for personalized medicine along with increased volumes of testing to accommodate an aging population. In many instances, we are using technology to combat the decrease in the workforce as the baby boomer generation transitions into retirement. Technology in the form of software development and automation continues to evolve to solve everyday problems. All of these technologies are highly customizable and require an understanding of how to best integrate to enhance workflow. The ability to thoroughly understand the root cause of problems is essential in order to ensure the appropriate technology is applied at the right time. Typically high throughput analyzers have a shelf life of 5-7 years, so within a five-year timespan, the type of instrumentation can change markedly.