What Does it Take to Be a Podiatrist?
Position Description Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.
Daily Life Of a Podiatrist
- Surgically treat conditions such as corns, calluses, ingrown nails, tumors, shortened tendons, bunions, cysts, or abscesses.
- Prescribe medications, corrective devices, physical therapy, or surgery.
- Perform administrative duties, such as hiring employees, ordering supplies, or keeping records.
- Treat deformities using mechanical methods, such as whirlpool or paraffin baths, and electrical methods, such as short wave and low voltage currents.
- Refer patients to physicians when symptoms indicative of systemic disorders, such as arthritis or diabetes, are observed in feet and legs.
- Treat bone, muscle, and joint disorders affecting the feet and ankles.
Qualities of a Podiatrist
Below is a list of the skills most Podiatrists say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Related Job Titles
- Foot Orthopedist
- Chiropodist
- Orthopedic Podiatrist
- Foot and Ankle Surgeon
- Foot Roentgenologist
Podiatrist Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 11,000 jobs for Podiatrist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,200 new jobs for Podiatrist by 2026. The BLS estimates 700 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Podiatrist are Utah, Maryland, and Nebraska. Watch out if you plan on working in Mississippi, Kansas, or Rhode Island. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Podiatrist
Podiatrists make between $52,060 and $208,000 a year.
Podiatrists who work in Nebraska, Rhode Island, or Wisconsin, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Podiatrists in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $148,010 |
| Arizona | $143,620 |
| Arkansas | $183,190 |
| California | $120,750 |
| Colorado | $119,190 |
| Connecticut | $95,610 |
| Delaware | $171,800 |
| District of Columbia | $152,520 |
| Florida | $136,170 |
| Georgia | $125,390 |
| Illinois | $180,270 |
| Indiana | $182,030 |
| Iowa | $173,370 |
| Kansas | $122,390 |
| Kentucky | $111,780 |
| Louisiana | $157,690 |
| Maryland | $159,950 |
| Massachusetts | $173,250 |
| Michigan | $131,780 |
| Minnesota | $184,280 |
| Missouri | $135,760 |
| Montana | $119,040 |
| Nebraska | $219,670 |
| Nevada | $109,560 |
| New Jersey | $132,320 |
| New Mexico | $124,660 |
| New York | $156,960 |
| North Carolina | $186,510 |
| Ohio | $155,870 |
| Oklahoma | $132,420 |
| Oregon | $93,930 |
| Pennsylvania | $136,780 |
| Rhode Island | $226,030 |
| South Carolina | $195,380 |
| Tennessee | $139,880 |
| Texas | $139,070 |
| Utah | $147,770 |
| Virginia | $144,330 |
| Washington | $136,330 |
| West Virginia | $175,530 |
| Wisconsin | $201,060 |
What Tools & Technology do Podiatrists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Podiatrists:
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Word processing software
How to Become a Podiatrist
Individuals working as a Podiatrist have obtained the following education levels:
What work experience do I need to become a Podiatrist?
Where do Podiatrists Work?
The table below shows the approximate number of Podiatrists employed by various industries.
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Podiatrist may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: Internet Archive Book Images; Joseph, Alfred via No known copyright
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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