by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Pathology/Pathologist Assistant explores Pathology/pathologist Assistant. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Pathologists, To Assist In The Performance Of Autopsies, Obtaining And Preparing Surgical Specimens, Preparing Autopsy Reports, And Interacting With Other Clinicians, Officials, And Individuals. Includes Instruction In Anatomy; Physiology; Medical Terminology; General, Systemic, Forensic, And Pediatric Pathology; Autopsy Procedures; Surgical Technique; Medical Photography; Tissue Preparation; Record Keeping And Laboratory Administration; Interpersonal Skills; And Applicable Standards And Regulations. Continue reading for the important information every pathology/pathologist assistant student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering pathology/pathologist assistant programs.
Nationwide, pathology/pathologist assistant is a widely-pursued major, with 153 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Pathology/Pathologist Assistant Schools ranking analyzes these 9 schools to determine the best overall colleges for pathology/pathologist assistant students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of pathology/pathologist assistant programs later in this article.
Programs in Pathology/Pathologist Assistant emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations pathology/pathologist assistant graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a pathology/pathologist assistant program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a pathology/pathologist assistant major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several pathology/pathologist assistant degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 153 |
People currently working in careers related to pathology/pathologist assistant tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 40.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 31.2% |
| Some college courses | 23.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.0% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in pathology/pathologist assistant careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in pathology/pathologist assistant can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to pathology/pathologist assistant.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to pathology/pathologist assistant.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Technologists | 1,820,366 | -3.0% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of pathology/pathologist assistant graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $27,434 |
| 4 years | $29,082 |
| 5 years | $32,352 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for pathology/pathologist assistant graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers pathology/pathologist assistant grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologists | $73,045 |
With 9 different pathology/pathologist assistant programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased pathology/pathologist assistant school rankings to help you.
Those considering pathology/pathologist assistant, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Medical/Clinical Assistant | 52,819 |
| Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | 7,541 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 5,633 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Other | 4,065 |
| Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) | 3,923 |
| Occupational Therapist Assistant | 3,178 |
| Radiologist Assistant | 1,513 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant | 614 |
| Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant | 431 |
| Anesthesiologist Assistant | 423 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
