How much does a foot doctor make?
a year · about $77 an hour
A typical foot doctor in the United States makes $160,300 a year, about $77 an hour, about 3.1× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
Patients describe their foot pain as the podiatrist checks their medical history, examines their feet, and reviews X-rays or test results. The doctor may prescribe shoe inserts or medicine, teach foot care, or perform surgery.
Did you know? A foot exam can uncover clues to bigger illnesses: podiatrists may spot diabetes or blood-vessel problems and send patients to another doctor.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $66,010 and $309,670How do you become one?
In the US, students usually earn a bachelor’s degree, take the MCAT, then complete a four-year Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) program and a three-year hospital residency. They must pass a qualifying exam and get a state license.
School needed: Graduate degree or long training
Good for people who like figuring things out and building and doing
Why does pay differ?
In the US, podiatrists’ pay can rise with experience and advanced credentials, and it differs by employer and location. Hours, emergency call, and more complex or specialized work, such as surgery, can also make a difference.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in District of Columbia ($265,740), lowest in Utah ($93,270).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $66,010 | $160,300 | $309,670 | about 10,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $265,740 | — |
| Minnesota | $261,180 | about 130 |
| Oklahoma | $253,380 | about 60 |
| New Hampshire | $250,070 | about 70 |
| Washington | $232,970 | about 140 |
Official definition: Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/podiatrists.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.apma.org/patients-and-the-public/faq-about-todays-podiatrists/
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY