There are approximately 15,000 practicing podiatrists in the country and the need for care is expected to continue to steadily rise.
Podiatrists treat patients’ feet, ankle, and lower leg problems with medical and surgical care. From diagnosing and treating conditions ranging from ingrown toenails to bone spurs, treatment varies from non-invasive methods, such as wearing orthotic shoes, to total ankle implant surgery. Podiatrists help those with arthritis, diabetic foot disorders, such as ulcers, infections, and neuropathy, foot deformities like flat feet or high arched feet, Morton’s neuroma, or sports injuries, such as contusion, inverted ankle sprain, stress fractures and more.
Most podiatrists work full-time in medical offices or hospitals. Sometimes being on call for emergencies is necessary. Podiatrists work with patients of all age ranges, from infancy to geriatrics. TheBureau of Labor Statistsprojects a 2 percent employment growth for podiatrists between now and 2031. Despite the limited growth, roughly 300 openings for podiatrists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of these positions will be replacing those who exit the workforce to retire or change occupations.
Benefits of Podiatry
According toUS News and World Report, podiatrists rank #13 in Best Paying Jobs and #27 in Best Health Care Jobs, and theHealth eCareer’s Salary Guidestates the average pay for a podiatry physician/surgeon is $168,437 per year, with somelocationsranking as high as $355,000 per year.
A major perk to podiatry jobs is that there’s a high chance you can achieve a healthy work-lifebalance. Some physicians only work four days per week. This means you’ll still have time for hobbies or raising a family. A career in podiatry offers opportunities to achieve a higher salary through growth potential and physicians can maintain a flexible work schedule. This is a field with low to average stress levels, according to the US News and World Report. It’s a great way to earn a six-figure salary without working extensive hours or having an unmanageable workload.
Podiatry Subspecialties
Podiatric physicians can specialize in areas like surgery, orthopedics, or public health. You can also subspecialize in sports medicine, diabetic foot care, radiology, pediatrics, geriatrics, or dermatology. Podiatric physicians are the only doctors that receive specialized medical and surgical training, along with board certification, in the care of the lower extremity.
While many podiatrists maintain general practices, either as solopreneurs or alongside other health professionals, there are several subspecialties in this field, including:
- Diagnostic podoradiology: foot and ankle radiology
- Dermatological podiatry: skin disorders of the lower extremity
- Gerontological podiatry: foot conditions in senior citizens
- Podopediatric podiatry: food conditions in infants and children
- Podiatric diabetology: diabetes foot care
- Podiatric sports medicine: prevention and management of lower extremity sports and fitness injuries
- Podiatric oncology: skin cancers of the lower extremity
- Podiatric vascular specialist: treatment of circulation disorders
- Neuropodiatry: treatment of lower extremity nerve disorders
Top Locations for Podiatrists
Podiatry is a field that prioritizes innovation and continues to use technology to develop and perform procedures. Many physicians enjoy the constant development and improving technology as they go about their careers. The job stability in this profession is relatively strong. It has a low rate of volatility, meaning you can work as a podiatrist for many years in the same location.
The largest employers of podiatrists are group practices with other physicians or specialists, according toThe American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine, and the top metropolitan areas for the highest-paid podiatric physicians include:
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Silver Spring-Frederick- Rockville, Maryland
- San Antonio-New Braunfels, Texas
- Gary, Indiana
- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota & Wisconsin
- Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, Illinois
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, Pennsylvania & New Jersey
- Cape Coral-Fort Meyers, Florida
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Pittsburg, Philadelphia
Feet are the foundation of our bodies and it’s important to have physicians dedicated to helping people get around each and every day. Since a significant portion of the population struggles with lower extremities issues, a podiatry career entails serving a wide range of individuals. A career in podiatry can mean steady work, great pay, and obtaining a work-life balance.
