Education:
53%
Doctoral Degree
32%
Post-Doctoral Training
Podiatrist
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Job Outlook:
Little or no change
Education:
Doctoral or professional degree
Salary
High:
$208,180.00
Average:
$157,970.00
Hourly
Average:
$75.95
What they do:
Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.
On the job, you would:
- Treat bone, muscle, and joint disorders affecting the feet and ankles.
- Diagnose diseases and deformities of the foot using medical histories, physical examinations, x-rays, and laboratory test results.
- Advise patients about treatments and foot care techniques necessary for prevention of future problems.
Important Qualities
Communication skills. Podiatrists must be able to listen and convey information to patients, such as about the diagnosis and ways to improve their condition.
Compassion. Because podiatrists provide care for patients who may be in pain, they must treat patients with understanding.
Critical-thinking skills. Podiatrists must be analytical to correctly diagnose a patient and determine the best course of treatment.
Detail oriented. When diagnosing a problem, podiatrists must pay attention to details, such as those about the patient’s medical history and current conditions.
Interpersonal skills. Podiatrists spend much of their time interacting with patients and also must work well as part of a medical team coordinating patient care.
Personality
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Characteristics of this Career |
|---|---|---|---|
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97% | Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. | |
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97% | Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. | |
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95% | Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical. | |
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92% | Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. | |
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88% | Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. | |
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88% | Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. | |
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88% | Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. | |
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88% | Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. | |
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88% | Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. | |
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88% | Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. | |
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85% | Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. | |
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83% | Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. | |
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80% | Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. | |
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74% | Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. | |
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70% | Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
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100% | Investigative - Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service. | |
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83% | Social - Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Values of the Work Environment |
|---|---|---|---|
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83% | Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. | |
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83% | Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. | |
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83% | Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. | |
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78% | Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. | |
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75% | Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. | |
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61% | Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
Aptitude
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
|---|---|---|---|
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81% | Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. | |
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78% | Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). | |
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78% | Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. | |
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78% | Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. | |
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78% | Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. | |
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75% | Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. | |
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75% | Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. | |
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75% | Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. | |
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75% | Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. | |
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72% | Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). | |
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66% | Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. | |
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66% | Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Skills | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
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75% | Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. | |
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70% | Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. | |
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66% | Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
Job Details
Responsibilities
Treat chronic diseases or disorders.
Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
Diagnose medical conditions.
Prescribe treatments or therapies.
Prescribe medications.
Prescribe assistive medical devices or related treatments.
Operate on patients to treat conditions.
Advise patients on preventive care techniques.
Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.
Treat chronic diseases or disorders.
Fabricate medical devices.
Adjust prostheses or other assistive devices.
Maintain medical facility records.
Manage healthcare operations.
Order medical supplies or equipment.
Communicate health and wellness information to the public.
Treat patients using alternative medical procedures.
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent |
|---|---|---|---|
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100% | Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? | |
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100% | Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? | |
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100% | Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? | |
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96% | Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? | |
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94% | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? | |
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93% | Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? | |
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92% | Exposed to Disease or Infections - How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections? | |
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92% | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? | |
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91% | Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job? | |
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89% | Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? | |
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89% | Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? | |
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88% | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? | |
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87% | Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos? | |
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86% | Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? | |
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85% | Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? | |
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81% | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? | |
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80% | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? | |
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78% | Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? | |
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75% | Level of Competition - To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures? | |
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72% | Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? | |
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69% | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? | |
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68% | Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People - How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements? | |
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67% | Consequence of Error - How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable? | |
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75% | Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Tasks & Values |
|---|---|---|---|
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98% | Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. | |
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91% | Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. | |
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86% | Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. | |
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83% | Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. | |
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83% | Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. | |
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79% | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. | |
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77% | Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. | |
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75% | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. | |
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74% | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. | |
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73% | Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. | |
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71% | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. | |
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71% | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. | |
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68% | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. | |
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66% | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. | |
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65% | Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
What Podiatrists Do
Podiatrists treat injuries involving the lower extremities.
Podiatrists diagnose illnesses, treat injuries, and perform surgery for people with foot, ankle, and lower leg problems.
Duties
Podiatrists typically do the following:
- Diagnose and assess patients’ conditions by reviewing medical histories, performing physical exams, and reviewing x rays and medical laboratory tests.
- Provide nonsurgical treatment for foot, ankle, and lower leg ailments, such as prescribing special shoe inserts (orthotics) to improve a patient’s mobility
- Perform foot and ankle surgeries, such as removing bone spurs, repairing fractures, and correcting other foot and ankle problems
- Advise and instruct patients about foot and ankle care and wellness
- Prescribe medications
- Refer patients to other physicians or specialists if they detect other health problems, such as diabetes or vascular disease
- Conduct research, read journals, and attend conferences to keep up with advances in podiatric medicine and surgery
Podiatrists treat a variety of foot and ankle ailments, including calluses, ingrown toenails, heel spurs, arthritis, and arch problems. They also treat foot and leg problems associated with diabetes, obesity, and other health conditions. Some podiatrists spend most of their time performing surgery, such as foot and ankle reconstruction. Others may choose a specialty such as sports medicine, pediatrics, or diabetic foot care.
Podiatrists who own their practice may spend time on business-related activities, such as hiring employees and managing inventory.
Work Environment
Podiatrists held about 10,600 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of podiatrists were as follows:
| Offices of other health practitioners | 52% |
| Offices of physicians | 20 |
| Self-employed workers | 10 |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 8 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 7 |
Offices of podiatry are counted among offices of other healthcare practitioners.
Some podiatrists work in group practices with other physicians or specialists. Podiatrists may work closely with physicians and surgeons, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, medical assistants, and dietitians and nutritionists.
Work Schedules
Most podiatrists work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Work schedules may vary and include evenings or weekends to accommodate patients. Some podiatrists, such as those who work in urgent-care facilities, may need to be on call for emergencies. Self-employed podiatrists or those who own their practice may have flexibility in setting their own hours.
Getting Started
How to Become a Podiatrist
Applicants to podiatry programs must have completed coursework in sciences and other subjects.
Podiatrists must earn a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree and complete a 3-year residency program. Every state requires podiatrists to be licensed.
Education
Podiatrists must have a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree from an accredited college of podiatric medicine. A DPM degree program takes 4 years to complete. Colleges of podiatric medicine are accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, which provides a list online of accredited programs.
Admission to podiatric medicine programs requires at least 3 years of undergraduate education, but nearly all prospective students have a bachelor’s degree in healthcare, biology, or physical science. Although programs might not specify the undergraduate degree required for admission, applicants must have completed courses in laboratory sciences such as biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as general coursework in subjects such as English. Applicants to DPM schools usually submit scores from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and letters of recommendation. They also may indicate that they shadowed a podiatrist.
Courses for a DPM degree are similar to those for other medical degrees. They include anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology. Podiatric medical students gain supervised experience by completing clinical rotations while in school.
Training
After earning a DPM, podiatrists must apply to and complete a podiatric medicine and surgery residency (PMSR) program. Residency programs, which last several years, take place in hospitals and allow podiatrists to gain experience providing medical and surgical care to patients.
Podiatrists may complete additional training in specific fellowship areas, such as podiatric wound care, diabetic foot care, or limb preservation.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Podiatrists in every state must be licensed. Podiatrists must pay a fee and pass all parts of the American Podiatric Medical Licensing Exam (APMLE), offered by the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners. Some states have additional requirements. A full list of requirements for each state is available from the Federation of Podiatric Medical Boards.
Many podiatrists choose to become board certified. Certification generally requires a combination of work experience and passing an exam. Board certification is offered by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, the American Board of Lower Extremity Surgery, the American Board of Podiatric Medicine, and the American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry.
Job Outlook
Employment of podiatrists is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032.
Despite limited employment growth, about 300 openings for podiatrists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
The U.S. population continues to age and to see an associated increase in its rates of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. As a result, people will continue to have mobility and foot-related problems, and podiatrists will be needed to treat many of these conditions. However, demand for podiatrists is expected to be limited because many patients may acquire services from a non-podiatrist physician or other appropriate caregiver.
Contacts for More Information
For more information about podiatrists, visit
American Podiatric Medical Association
For information on colleges of podiatric medicine and their entrance requirements, curricula, and student financial aid, visit
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
For a list of accredited podiatric programs and residency programs, visit
Council on Podiatric Medical Education
For more information about the podiatric licensing exam, visit
National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners
For more information about board certification, visit
American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery
American Board of Lower Extremity Surgery
Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of podiatrists.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chiropractors |
Chiropractors evaluate and treat patients' neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. |
Doctoral or professional degree | $75,380 |
|
Occupational Therapists |
Occupational therapists evaluate and treat people who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities to help them with vocational, daily living, and other skills that promote independence. |
Master's degree | $93,180 |
|
Optometrists |
Optometrists diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system, including examining eyes and prescribing corrective lenses. |
Doctoral or professional degree | $125,590 |
|
Orthotists and Prosthetists |
Orthotists and prosthetists design and fabricate medical supportive devices and measure and fit patients for them. |
Master's degree | $77,070 |
|
Physical Therapists |
Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain. |
Doctoral or professional degree | $97,720 |
|
Physicians and Surgeons |
Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and address health maintenance. |
Doctoral or professional degree | $229,300 |
|
Dentists |
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. |
Doctoral or professional degree | $159,530 |