Observations from USCAP 2011 by Mick Raich

I am a money guy, an auditor and a billing and salary expert in the pathology world.  While attending the recent USCAP meeting I decided to use my “money” brain while talking to various pathologists from around the world that had made the trip to San Antonio, Texas.  I asked the various international pathologists, “What does a pathologist make per year in your country?”  Now I understand this is not the most scientific method and that these numbers may be over or understated, but the answers were interesting.  Here is what I found:

Mexico:  $30,000

Ireland:  $280,000

Korea:  $120,000

France:  $210,000

Argentina:  $80,000 - $100,000

Italy:  $210,000 private; $100,000 public health system

Iraq:  $24,000

China:  $30,000

Greece:  $250,000 private; $25,000 public health system

Brazil:  $50,000 -$70,000

England:  $217,350

Croatia:  $30,000 - $50,000

Turkey:  $50,000 - $70,000

Canada:  $306,000 - $326,400

Switzerland:  $196,200 - $272,500

Israel:  $100,000 - $120,000

Portugal:  $140,000

Denmark:  $168,000

Syria:  $150,000 private; $24,000 public health system

Hong Kong:  $135,000

Spain:  $84,000 - $140,000

Iran:  $200,000 private; $30,000 public health system

Ecuador:  $12,000

Australia:  $300,000 public health system; $350,000 Private

In almost every situation pathologists working for the National Health Service or a public health system made considerably less money than their private counterparts.

Also, it should be noted that Canada pays the same for a first year pathologist as it does for a seasoned veteran.  You can come out of school and make really good money while learning your trade.

It’s interesting to compare these numbers with a study I did last fall. That study showed the average private practice pathologist in the USA made about $536K (before expenses, benefits and taxes).  I had 1,600 pathologists in this study.  It is figured that the average university pathologist makes around $250K (with considerable benefits and retirement).  From my experience the salaries at the large national labs are running around $140K - $160K.

So what can we surmise from this?  First and foremost, a public health system will not be favorable for pathology salaries.  Second, in almost every case where a public health system exists, there is a common need for a private market that performs the same work with better financial outcomes for the pathologists.  Finally, even the lowest paid pathologists in the United States make considerably more than their foreign counterparts.