Healthcare Practitioners
Podiatrists
Also called: Attending Physician, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (DPM and Surgery), Doctor Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
US median pay
$160,300
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+2%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
200
10,000 employed
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree
Preparation 5/5 · Extensive preparation
What this job is
Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.
What they do day to day
- Treat bone, muscle, and joint disorders affecting the feet and ankles.
- Diagnose diseases and deformities of the foot using medical histories, physical examinations, x-rays, and laboratory test results.
- Advise patients about treatments and foot care techniques necessary for prevention of future problems.
- Prescribe medications, corrective devices, physical therapy, or surgery.
- Surgically treat conditions such as corns, calluses, ingrown nails, tumors, shortened tendons, bunions, cysts, or abscesses.
- Refer patients to physicians when symptoms indicative of systemic disorders, such as arthritis or diabetes, are observed in feet and legs.
- Make and fit prosthetic appliances.
- Correct deformities by means of plaster casts and strapping.
- Perform administrative duties, such as hiring employees, ordering supplies, or keeping records.
- Educate the public about the benefits of foot care through techniques such as speaking engagements, advertising, and other forums.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.8/5
- Coordination3.4/5
- Service Orientation3.2/5
- Systems Evaluation3.1/5
- Systems Analysis3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry5.0/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.6/5
- English Language4.6/5
- Education and Training4.1/5
- Computers and Electronics3.8/5
- Biology3.8/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 5 of 5 — Extensive preparation. Usually a graduate degree (master's, PhD, MD, JD) and extensive experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Doctoral or professional degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Doctoral degree53%
- Post-doctoral training32%
- First professional degree14%
Who this job suits
Mostly Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.