Career Overview
Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.
Also Known As
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
- Doctor Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
- Podiatric Surgeon
- Podiatrist
Alternate Job Titles
- Attending Physician
- Chiropodist
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (DPM and Surgery)
- Doctor of Podiatry
- Doctor Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
- Foot and Ankle Surgeon
- Foot Doctor
- Foot Orthopedist
- Foot Roentgenologist
- Foot Specialist
- Orthopedic Podiatrist
- Physician
- Podiatric Medicine Doctor (DPM)
- Podiatric Physician
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
- Biology
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Complex Problem Solving
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Speech Clarity
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Achievement Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Relationships
- Independence
- Recognition
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Doctoral Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Access
Tools & Equipment
- Allis forceps
- Automated external defibrillators AED
- Bandage scissors
- Biopsy punches
- Bone chisels
- Bone curettes
- Bone forceps
- Bone rasps
- Bone ronguers
- Cast cutters
- Cast spreaders
- Cast vacuums
- Cauterizing equipment
- Cryoprobes
- Curved hemostats
Work Environment
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $57,500 |
| Median | $152,800 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | >$239,200 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 9,520
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
Pediatric Surgeons
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
Dermatologists
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: >$239,200
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: >$239,200
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: >$239,200
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.