by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 13 U.S. colleges awarded 178 degrees and certificates in Pathology/Pathologist Assistant. College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best Pathology/Pathologist Assistant Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $27,519 one year after completing, rising to $35,634 after four years.
Studying 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, pathology/pathologist assistant is a widely-pursued major, with 178 degrees awarded annually. 13 colleges award pathology/pathologist assistant degrees, an average of 14 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 33.
All 178 of the awards are master’s degrees, the only level colleges reported.
Women earned 83% of pathology/pathologist assistant degrees and certificates in the latest year (148 of 178). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (108) and Hispanic or Latino (24).
College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best Pathology/Pathologist Assistant Schools ranking, including 9 for master’s degrees. It also ranks pathology/pathologist assistant schools within 7 states. In all, 13 colleges offer pathology/pathologist assistant programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Pathology/Pathologist Assistant Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
O*NET rates Monitoring the most important skill for jobs related to pathology/pathologist assistant, at 3.8 out of 5. The key knowledge areas are Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry and English Language. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Near Vision and Problem Sensitivity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a pathology/pathologist assistant degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 178 |
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to pathology/pathologist assistant, at 40.6%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Pathology/Pathologist Assistant, with an average median salary of $73,045. Typical job titles include Operating Room Surgical Technician (OR St), Surgical Orderly, Cardiovascular Operating Room Technologist (CVOR Technologist) and Operating Room Surgical Technologist.
The occupation related to pathology/pathologist assistant with the most projected jobs is Surgical Technologists, at 1,820,366.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Technologists | 1,820,366 | -3.0% |
Pathology/Pathologist Assistant graduates earn a median $27,519 one year after completing their program, $35,634 after four years and $32,689 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $27,519 |
| 4 years | $35,634 |
| 5 years | $32,689 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to pathology/pathologist assistant, with a median salary of $73,045.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologists | $73,045 |
Pathology/Pathologist Assistant has 12 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 84,137 degrees a year; the largest are Medical/Clinical Assistant (55,276), Pharmacy Technician/Assistant (8,060) and Physical Therapy Assistant (5,489). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Medical/Clinical Assistant | 55,276 |
| Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | 8,060 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 5,489 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Other | 4,386 |
| Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) | 4,277 |
| Occupational Therapist Assistant | 3,204 |
| Radiologist Assistant | 1,676 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant | 663 |
| Anesthesiologist Assistant | 497 |
| Speech-Language Pathology Assistant | 304 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
