California Median
$186,300
per year
Hourly Rate
$89.57
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-40% vs US median
US median $312,400
State Rank
#32 of 33
1,790 employed here
How much does a Physician, Pathologists make in California?
Physicians, Pathologists in California take home a median of $186,300 annually — roughly $89.57 an hour — which runs 40% below the national median of $312,400.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $105,750 while the top 10% make $387,760 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $167,110 and $318,820 a year.
Physician, Pathologists salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $105,750 | $50.84 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $167,110 | $80.34 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $186,300 | $89.57 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $318,820 | $153.28 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $387,760 | $186.42 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 32nd out of 33 states and territories for Physician, Pathologists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Physician, Pathologists salary in other states
Pennsylvania $413,370West Virginia $400,070Nevada $384,350Illinois $381,770Minnesota $362,270New Jersey $355,970Texas $345,830Indiana $340,300Arizona $338,290Kentucky $324,390Iowa $323,460Rhode Island $322,950New York $321,550Oklahoma $317,850Florida $313,510Ohio $309,480Michigan $303,070Washington $300,680Colorado $294,510Massachusetts $285,240Missouri $261,830Mississippi $261,570Maryland $253,670North Carolina $248,940Virginia $240,780South Carolina $236,950Nebraska $229,140Kansas $224,280Arkansas $214,100Georgia $211,800Vermont $188,250Wisconsin $83,610
Working as a Physician, Pathologists in California
Nationally, about 11,000 people work as Physicians, Pathologists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($186,300) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Physician, Pathologists make in California?
The median Physician, Pathologists salary in California is $186,300 per year, or about $89.57 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $105,750 at the entry level to $387,760 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Physicians, Pathologists about 40% less than the national median of $312,400. California ranks 32nd out of 33 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Physicians, Pathologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $186,300 a year. About 1,790 Physicians, Pathologists are employed in California. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Physician, Pathologists salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.