Dosimetrist Career Guide: Role, Salary, Education, and How to Get Started
11 Apr, 2026
If you've ever wondered what does a doctor of osteopathy do, you're not alone. It's one of the most common questions I see from aspiring healthcare professionals exploring their career options, and it's a question that deserves a thorough, honest answer. A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine — commonly known as a DO — is a fully licensed physician who can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication just like their MD (Doctor of Medicine) counterparts. However, DOs bring a distinctive philosophy to patient care that emphasizes treating the whole person rather than just isolated symptoms. At healthcareers.app, we've helped thousands of healthcare professionals navigate different jobs in the medical field, and osteopathic medicine remains one of the most rewarding and misunderstood paths in the profession.
In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about what osteopathic physicians do on a daily basis, how they differ from MDs, what it takes to become one, and where the career opportunities are heading. Whether you're a pre-med student weighing your options or a career changer exploring healthcare, this guide is for you.
Osteopathic medicine was founded in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, who believed that the musculoskeletal system played a vital role in overall health and disease. While the field has evolved dramatically since then, the core philosophy remains intact: the body is an interconnected unit, and optimal health requires treating the whole person — mind, body, and spirit.
Today, DOs practice in every medical specialty imaginable. They perform surgeries, deliver babies, manage chronic diseases, and work in emergency rooms. According to the American Osteopathic Association, there are more than 121,000 practicing DOs in the United States, and that number continues to grow rapidly. In fact, approximately 25% of all medical students in the U.S. are now enrolled in osteopathic medical schools.
Every DO is trained according to four foundational principles that guide their approach to patient care:
These principles don't just live in textbooks — they shape how DOs interact with patients every single day. I've spoken with countless osteopathic physicians who tell me that this holistic framework is precisely why they chose the DO path over the MD path.
The day-to-day responsibilities of a DO depend heavily on their chosen specialty, but here's a broad look at what osteopathic physicians typically do:
A significant percentage of DOs practice in primary care, including family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. In these roles, they conduct physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, manage chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, prescribe medications, and provide preventive care counseling. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for primary care physicians — including DOs — is expected to grow significantly as the U.S. population ages and access to healthcare expands.
One skill that sets DOs apart is Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, or OMT. This is a hands-on diagnostic and therapeutic technique where the physician uses their hands to move a patient's muscles and joints through stretching, gentle pressure, and resistance. OMT can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including:
Not every DO uses OMT regularly in their practice — a DO who specializes in cardiology, for example, may rarely perform it — but every DO is trained in these techniques during medical school. It's an additional tool in their clinical toolbox that MDs simply don't have.
DOs are not limited to primary care. They practice in every medical and surgical specialty, including:
In these specialties, a DO's daily routine is virtually identical to that of an MD in the same field. They perform surgeries, interpret imaging studies, manage complex treatment plans, and lead multidisciplinary care teams.
This is a question I encounter almost daily on our platform, and I want to address it clearly. Both DOs and MDs are fully licensed physicians. They both complete four years of medical school, followed by residency training that can last anywhere from three to seven years depending on the specialty. Both can prescribe medications, perform surgeries, and practice in all 50 states.
The key differences include:
In terms of patient care quality, there is no meaningful difference. Both DOs and MDs are held to the same standards of practice, and patients often can't tell which degree their physician holds — nor should they need to.
If you're seriously considering the DO path, here's a step-by-step overview of the journey:
Most osteopathic medical schools require a bachelor's degree with prerequisite coursework in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and English. A competitive GPA — typically 3.4 or above — is important, along with strong extracurricular activities and clinical experience.
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required for admission to both DO and MD programs. Competitive scores for DO programs generally range from 500 to 515, though top programs may expect higher scores.
There are currently 38 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States, operating across 60 campus locations, according to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. DO programs are four years and lead to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.
After earning their DO degree, graduates must complete a residency program in their chosen specialty. This hands-on training typically lasts three to seven years. Some physicians pursue additional fellowship training for subspecialty expertise.
DOs must pass the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) to practice medicine. Many DOs also take the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination), especially if they're entering ACGME-accredited residencies. Board certification in a specialty is obtained through the American Osteopathic Board of specialties or the corresponding ABMS board.
The financial rewards of becoming a DO are substantial. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physicians and surgeons earn a median annual wage that exceeds $229,300, with many specialists earning significantly more. DO salaries are comparable to MD salaries within the same specialty — the degree itself does not create a pay differential.
The job outlook is exceptionally strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 3% growth rate for physicians and surgeons from 2022 to 2032, but the actual demand in underserved areas and primary care is much greater. DOs, with their historical emphasis on primary care and community health, are particularly well-positioned to fill these gaps.
While osteopathic medicine is a fantastic career choice, I always encourage people to explore the full spectrum of different jobs in the medical field before committing to a single path. Healthcare is vast, and there's a role for virtually every personality type, skill set, and interest level.
Beyond physicians, clinical healthcare careers include nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and respiratory therapists. Each of these roles offers meaningful patient interaction and strong earning potential.
For those drawn to the intersection of healthcare and creativity, art therapy employment is a growing niche worth exploring. Art therapists use creative expression to help patients process trauma, manage mental health conditions, and improve cognitive function. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for recreational therapists — a category that includes art therapists — is projected to grow as healthcare systems increasingly recognize the value of integrative and holistic treatment approaches. Art therapy employment opportunities exist in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, schools, and private practice settings.
Healthcare administrators, health informatics specialists, medical coders, and healthcare consultants all play critical roles in keeping the system running. These positions often don't require clinical licensure but do benefit from deep knowledge of the healthcare landscape.
We built healthcareers.app because we believe every healthcare professional — whether they're a DO, an art therapist, or a hospital administrator — deserves access to the best career resources and job opportunities available.
Absolutely. A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) is a fully licensed physician who has completed four years of medical school and residency training. DOs can prescribe medication, perform surgery, and practice in every medical specialty. They hold the same practice rights as MDs in all 50 states and are recognized by Medicare, Medicaid, and all major insurance providers.
Yes. DOs can and do perform surgery across all surgical specialties, including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery, and general surgery. Their surgical training occurs during residency and is identical to the training MDs receive in ACGME-accredited programs.
This is a common point of confusion. A DO is a fully licensed medical doctor who can diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and perform surgery. A chiropractor holds a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree and focuses primarily on spinal manipulation and musculoskeletal alignment. Chiropractors cannot prescribe medication or perform surgery. While both may use manual techniques, the scope of practice, training, and medical authority are vastly different.
No. Within the same specialty and practice setting, DOs and MDs earn comparable salaries. The degree itself does not create a wage gap. Salary differences between individual physicians are driven by specialty choice, geographic location, practice type, and years of experience — not whether the physician holds a DO or MD degree.
Admission to both DO and MD programs is highly competitive. Historically, DO programs have had slightly lower average GPA and MCAT score requirements compared to MD programs, but this gap is narrowing as the popularity of osteopathic medicine grows. The admissions process for DO programs also tends to place greater emphasis on community service, empathy, and a holistic approach to patient care.
Understanding what a doctor of osteopathy does is the first step toward deciding if this career path is right for you. DOs are fully trained, board-certified physicians who bring a unique whole-person philosophy to medicine. They work in every specialty, earn competitive salaries, and are in high demand across the country. Whether you're drawn to primary care, surgery, or any specialty in between, the DO degree opens every door that an MD degree does — with the added benefit of OMT training and a deeply ingrained holistic perspective.
At healthcareers.app, I'm passionate about helping people find their place in healthcare. Whether you're exploring different jobs in the medical field, curious about art therapy employment, or ready to apply to osteopathic medical school, we're here to support your journey every step of the way. The healthcare workforce needs dedicated, compassionate professionals now more than ever — and your career starts with knowing your options.
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