Podiatrists provide medical care for people with foot, ankle, and lower leg problems. They diagnose illnesses, treat injuries, and perform surgery involving the lower extremities.
Most podiatrists work in offices of podiatry, either on their own or with other podiatrists. Some work in group practices with other physicians or specialists. Others work in private and public hospitals and outpatient care centers.
Podiatrists must earn a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree and complete a 3-year residency program. Every state requires podiatrists to be licensed.
The median annual wage for podiatrists was $119,340 in May 2015.
Employment of podiatrists is projected to grow 14 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Continued growth in the demand for medical and surgical care of the foot and ankle will stem from the aging population. Podiatrists will also be needed to treat patients with foot and ankle conditions caused by chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity.
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for podiatrists.
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of podiatrists with similar occupations.
Learn more about podiatrists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations. |
|