Explore
Foot & ankle medicine
Podiatrist
Surgeon-level training on a shorter and less competitive path.
Typical pay
$140k-$220k
How you get in
DPM, 4 years, plus a 3-year residency
Outlook
Strong; diabetes prevalence drives sustained demand
Podiatrists diagnose and treat foot and ankle conditions, including surgery. Admission is far less competitive than medical school for a comparable scope within the specialty, and the lifestyle is generally better than most surgical fields.
A day in the life
- 7:30aSurgical cases at the hospital or surgery center
- 11:00aClinic — diabetic foot exams and wound care
- 12:30pLunch
- 1:30pAfternoon patients, orthotics and injections
- 4:00pNail and skin procedures
- 5:30pCharting and referral letters
How to get in
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
Duration
11 years total
Cost
$200,000-$350,000
Credential
DPM plus state license and board certification
- Complete a bachelor's with the science prerequisites
- Take the MCAT and apply to podiatric medical schools
- Complete four years of podiatric medical school
- Match into a three-year surgical residency, then board certify
Fellowship subspecialization
Duration
12 years total
Cost
$200,000-$350,000
Credential
DPM plus fellowship
- Complete the DPM and residency
- Add a one-year fellowship in reconstructive, trauma or sports medicine
- Access more complex surgical cases and higher reimbursement
- Strengthens hospital privileges and referral relationships
Practice ownership
Duration
3-8 years after residency
Cost
$150,000-$600,000
Credential
DPM plus financing
- Work as an associate to build surgical volume and referrals
- Learn the business — orthotics, DME and ancillary revenue matter
- Buy into or start a practice
- Ownership plus surgical volume is where podiatry income peaks
What people love
- · Surgical practice with less competitive admission
- · Better lifestyle than most surgical specialties
- · Private practice ownership is common
- · Diabetic care makes demand structural
What wears people down
- · $200k-$300k of educational debt
- · Residency is required and competitive
- · Perceived as lesser by parts of medicine
- · Reimbursement pressure on routine foot care