Physicians, Pathologists Salary
The median pay for a physicians, pathologists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $300,580/year ($144.51/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $93K at the entry level to $500K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $270,476 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,501/month, or 13.7% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $301K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue’s Regional Price Parity (111.13). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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What this looks like in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
Physicians, pathologists pay in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue tracks closely to the national median, $301K locally vs. $312K nationwide, a 4% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,501/month, 14% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost-of-living overall is 11% above the national average (BEA RPP 111.13), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level physicians, pathologists (10th percentile) start around $93K. Mid-career wages sit at $301K. Top earners bring in $500K or more, a $407K spread from bottom to top.
Physicians, Pathologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Physicians, Pathologists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $413K | +32% | 210 |
| West Virginia | $400K | +28% | 50 |
| Nevada | $384K | +23% | 40 |
| Illinois | $382K | +22% | N/A |
| Minnesota | $362K | +16% | 550 |
| New Jersey | $356K | +14% | 230 |
| Texas | $346K | +11% | 1,530 |
| Indiana | $340K | +9% | 380 |
| Arizona | $338K | +8% | 270 |
| Kentucky | $324K | +4% | N/A |
| Iowa | $323K | +4% | 80 |
| Rhode Island | $323K | +3% | N/A |
| New York | $322K | +3% | 1,220 |
| Oklahoma | $318K | +2% | 130 |
| Florida | $314K | +0% | 370 |
| Ohio | $309K | -1% | 600 |
| Michigan | $303K | -3% | 140 |
| Washington | $301K | -4% | 200 |
| Colorado | $295K | -6% | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $285K | -9% | 320 |
| Missouri | $262K | -16% | N/A |
| Mississippi | $262K | -16% | 50 |
| Maryland | $254K | -19% | 70 |
| North Carolina | $249K | -20% | 340 |
| Virginia | $241K | -23% | 110 |
| South Carolina | $237K | -24% | 80 |
| Nebraska | $229K | -27% | 90 |
| Kansas | $224K | -28% | 30 |
| Arkansas | $214K | -31% | 130 |
| Georgia | $212K | -32% | 170 |
| Vermont | $188K | -40% | N/A |
| California | $186K | -40% | 1,790 |
| Wisconsin | $84K | -73% | 130 |
Showing 1–10 of 33 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track physicians, pathologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a physicians, pathologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Yes — at the median salary of $301K, rent takes 14% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,501/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for physicians, pathologists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new physicians, pathologists typically earn — is $93K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,599/month. At HUD’s $2,501/month FMR, rent would take 45% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is physicians, pathologist a high-paying job in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $301K locally vs. $312K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue compare to the national average for physicians, pathologists?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue pays $301K median vs. the U.S. average of $312K — that’s -4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 111.13), the purchasing-power equivalent is $270K — below the national median.
How much do physicians, pathologists make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $300,580 a year, that works out to about $145 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $93,310, and experienced physicians, pathologists can clear $499,810. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $301K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $17,908/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month, which eats 14% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a physicians, pathologists salary go in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median physicians, pathologists salary is worth about $270,476 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physicians, pathologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.