Podiatrist
Also called chiropodist, expert podiatrist, expert in podiatry
Podiatrists are foot specialists who study foot physiology and pathology from a structural and functional standpoint. They assess, diagnose, and treat physical, sporting injuries, rehabilitation, medical and surgical problems of the foot and lower limb in their clinical practice. Podiatrists are active outside the clinical environment in research, medico-legal, and forensic activities. Podiatrists act within the scope of their podiatry training, experience, and regulating authority of their member country.
What you'd do
Health professionals not elsewhere classified · ILO- Interviewing patients and conducting diagnostic tests to determine their health status, functional limitations, and the nature of physical or mental disorders, illnesses or other health problems
- Developing and implementing treatment plans for injuries, illnesses and other physical and mental impairments
- Evaluating and documenting patients' progress through treatment plans, and referring patients and families to medical doctors or other health care providers for specialized, rehabilitative or other care services as needed
- Administering therapeutic care and treatment to patients, including through application of manual and physical chiropractic and osteopathic techniques
- Recommending environmental adaptations in the home, leisure, work and school environments on an individual or group basis to enable individuals with functional limitations to perform their daily activities and occupations
- Planning and implementing therapeutic programmes on an individual and group basis for improving and maintaining physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning, including through the use of arts and crafts, dance and movement, music and other recreational activities
- Identifying and prescribing treatments for conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg due to illness, disease or other physical impairment, and prescribing corrective footwear and advising on foot care to manage foot ailments
- Performing minor surgical procedures such as on the foot and ankles
- Indoors
- A mix of sitting and standing
- Constant contact with people, including the public
- Good freedom to decide
- Often more than 40 hours a week
- Deadlines most weeks
- Some repetitive tasks
Will there be jobs?
Yes, good prospects10 EU countries are short of health professionals not elsewhere classified now, and many jobs will need filling by 2035.
Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.
What does it pay?
Well above averagePay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,800 a month (Bulgaria) to €9,700 (Luxembourg), before tax.
Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.
Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat
What do I need to study?
Usually a degreeA degree in medicine is the usual route.
946 institutions in the EU offer health and welfare bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.
Will AI change it?
Very littleAI could help with only small parts of the tasks.
Average task score 0.20 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).
See the score for each of the 8 tasks
Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for health professionals not elsewhere classified. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).