Podiatrists: pay and what the work involves

Occupation 2256 · Professional occupations

Podiatrists

Podiatrists (formerly known as chiropodists) diagnose and treat ailments and abnormalities of the human foot and lower limb, deal with minor infections, injuries and deformities, and conditions resulting from other major health disorders such as diabetes.

How people enter it

Entry requires a degree in podiatry approved by the Health Professions Council and registration with and membership of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists. Degree courses combine theoretical and practical training. Qualified podiatrists must undertake 30 hours of Continuing Professional Development each year.

What the work involves

examines patient’s feet to determine the nature and extent of disorder
provides vascular and neurological assessment for the long-term management of chronic disorders and high-risk patients
administers local anaesthetic where appropriate
treats conditions of the skin, nails and soft tissues of feet by minor surgery, massage and heat treatment, padding and strapping or drugs
prescribes, makes and fits pads and other orthotic appliances to correct and/or protect foot disorders
those with advanced training may carry out minor surgery on the feet
advises patients on aspects of foot care to avoid recurrence of foot problems
delivers foot health education to groups such as the elderly, children, the homeless, those with medical problems such as arthritis
refers patients who require further medical or surgical attention

Also called

Chiropodist · Foot health practitioner (qualified) · Podiatrist

What it pays

Measure	Hours	Basis	Period	Value	Source
2256 : Podiatrists	None	None	2026-03	14,200.00	ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020)
2256 : Podiatrists	None	None	2026-03	14,900.00	ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020)
2256 : Podiatrists	None	None	2026-03	15,600.00	ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020)
2256 : Podiatrists	None	None	2026-03	600.00	ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020)
2256 : Podiatrists	None	None	2026-03	700.00	ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020)
2256 : Podiatrists	None	None	2026-03	16,200.00	ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020)
2256 : Podiatrists	None	None	2026-03	700.00	ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020)

Every regional figure

ONS does not publish occupational pay below region. Cells the survey could not support are shown as withheld, with its reason — adding a region split to a specific occupation leaves roughly a tenth of cells publishable.

Region	Measure	Hours	Value	Period
East	2256 : Podiatrists	None	withheld	2026-03
East Midlands	2256 : Podiatrists	None	600.00	2026-03
London	2256 : Podiatrists	None	2,200.00	2026-03
North East	2256 : Podiatrists	None	1,200.00	2026-03
North West	2256 : Podiatrists	None	2,100.00	2026-03
Northern Ireland	2256 : Podiatrists	None	600.00	2026-03
Scotland	2256 : Podiatrists	None	700.00	2026-03
South East	2256 : Podiatrists	None	3,600.00	2026-03
South West	2256 : Podiatrists	None	2,100.00	2026-03
Wales	2256 : Podiatrists	None	700.00	2026-03
West Midlands	2256 : Podiatrists	None	1,100.00	2026-03
Yorkshire and The Humber	2256 : Podiatrists	None	900.00	2026-03

Common questions

Does pay for podiatrists vary by region?

ONS publishes regional pay for this occupation where the survey sample supports it — 11 of 12 cells on this page. The rest are withheld by ONS, and are shown as withheld with the reason, rather than left out.

Where do these pay figures come from?

The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, published by the Office for National Statistics. Figures are shown exactly as ONS publishes them — we do not adjust, model or fill them in, and every number on this page carries the series and period it came from.

Classified alongside this

Dental practitioners · Medical radiographers · Optometrists · Other health professionals n.e.c. · Paramedics · Pharmacists