Podiatrists: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical · SOC 29-1081 · O*NET 29-1081.00
Podiatrists fall under the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category in the U.S. occupational classification. Podiatrists earn a median salary of $152,800 per year, ranking in the top 2% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +1.8% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's or doctoral degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What parents should know about podiatrists right now
Podiatry is a doctor-level healthcare path that focuses on feet, ankles, and the lower leg. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for podiatrists was $152,800 in May 2024, with the top 10 percent earning more than $239,200 and the bottom 10 percent earning less than $57,500, reflecting differences between salaried hospital roles and private practice. BLS projects employment will grow about 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, slower than the average for all occupations, with around 300 openings each year, mostly from retirements. Education is rigorous: a bachelor's degree with strong premed coursework, then a four-year Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree from an accredited college, followed by a three-year hospital-based residency. All states require podiatrists to be licensed, which involves passing national board exams and meeting state-specific requirements. A clear current trend is rising demand from chronic disease. The U.S. population is aging, and diabetes is increasingly common; recent surveys note that 21 percent of podiatrists report at least half of their patient panel has diabetes, fueling a growing diabetic foot care subspecialty. Industry revenue is projected to keep climbing at roughly 2.8 percent annually toward $7.3 billion in 2025. Teens who like biology, surgery, sports medicine, or working directly with patients should shadow a local podiatrist and take strong science courses (biology, chemistry, anatomy) to test the fit early.
What do podiatrists earn?
The median annual wage for podiatrists is $152,800. That puts podiatrists at #17 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Pay at this level is well above the U.S. median household income, signaling sustained demand and meaningful credential requirements. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
Is podiatrists a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for podiatrists is +1.8%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 9K positions in 2024 to 9K in 2034, a net change of 0K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.
What education does my child need to become podiatrist?
Becoming a podiatrist typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's, doctoral, or professional degree, plus state licensure or board certification depending on specialty. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about podiatrists
What is the median salary for podiatrists?
The median annual salary for podiatrists is $152,800 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is podiatrists a growing career?
BLS projects +1.8% growth for podiatrists from 2024 through 2034, which is flat growth projected to grow slower than the US average.
What education does my child need to become podiatrist?
The typical entry path requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's or doctoral degree, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to podiatrists?
Related occupations within the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.