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19 Apr, 2024
If you've been exploring healthcare careers, you've probably come across the abbreviation "DO" and wondered what it means. So, what is a DO in the medical field? A DO — or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine — is a fully licensed physician who can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication just like an MD (Doctor of Medicine). The key difference lies in their training philosophy: DOs receive additional education in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and are trained with a holistic, whole-body approach to patient care.
I've worked with thousands of healthcare professionals through healthcareers.app, and I can tell you that the demand for DOs has never been higher. According to the American Osteopathic Association, more than 11 percent of all physicians in the United States are DOs, and that number continues to grow each year. Whether you're a pre-med student weighing your options, a career changer considering medicine, or simply curious about the healthcare landscape, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about becoming a DO — along with insights into related healthcare careers like blood bank positions and perfusionist roles that round out the medical ecosystem.
At its core, both DO and MD degrees prepare physicians to practice medicine at the highest level. Both require four years of medical school followed by residency training, and both are fully recognized across all 50 states. However, there are philosophical and educational distinctions that set them apart.
DOs are trained under the principle that the body's systems are interconnected and that structure and function are deeply related. This means that during their medical education, DO students learn osteopathic manipulative treatment — a hands-on technique used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury. OMT involves stretching, gentle pressure, and resistance techniques applied to the musculoskeletal system.
This doesn't mean DOs only treat bones and muscles. Far from it. DOs practice in every medical specialty, from neurosurgery and cardiology to family medicine and psychiatry. The osteopathic approach simply adds an extra dimension to their clinical toolkit.
To become a DO, you must complete a four-year undergraduate degree, pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and then attend a four-year osteopathic medical school accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). After medical school, DOs enter residency training programs — which can last anywhere from three to seven years depending on their chosen specialty. They take the COMLEX-USA licensing examination, though many also choose to take the USMLE (the exam traditionally associated with MDs). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics at bls.gov, the employment of physicians and surgeons — including both MDs and DOs — is projected to grow by 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, which translates to roughly 24,200 new openings each year.
One of the aspects I appreciate most about DOs is their versatility. While osteopathic physicians have historically been drawn to primary care — and roughly 57 percent of DOs practice in primary care fields — they are well-represented across every specialty.
DOs are the backbone of primary care in the United States. In rural and underserved communities, where physician shortages are most acute, DOs often serve as the primary healthcare providers. This dedication to community-based medicine is rooted in the osteopathic tradition of treating the whole patient within the context of their environment.
DOs practice in orthopedic surgery, general surgery, neurosurgery, and other surgical subspecialties. Their additional training in the musculoskeletal system can be particularly advantageous in orthopedic and sports medicine contexts.
Emergency departments across the country employ DOs alongside MDs. In my experience reviewing job listings on healthcareers.app, I've seen DOs actively recruited for emergency medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB-GYN, and psychiatry positions — often with competitive salaries that match or exceed those of their MD counterparts.
One of the most common questions I hear from aspiring physicians is whether the DO credential affects earning potential. The short answer is no — not in any meaningful way. Physician compensation is primarily driven by specialty, geographic location, experience, and practice setting rather than by whether you hold a DO or MD degree.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for physicians and surgeons was above $229,300 in 2023, with many specialists earning significantly more. Primary care DOs typically earn between $200,000 and $280,000 annually, while specialists can command salaries well above $350,000 depending on their field and location.
We built healthcareers.app because we believe every healthcare professional deserves transparent salary information and access to high-quality job opportunities. Whether you're a newly matched DO resident or a seasoned osteopathic physician looking for your next role, our platform is designed to connect you with the right opportunities.
While we're discussing the broader medical field, it's worth highlighting some specialized careers that work alongside physicians like DOs. Blood bank positions represent one of the most critical — yet often overlooked — areas of healthcare.
Blood bank professionals work in transfusion medicine, ensuring that blood products are safely collected, tested, processed, stored, and distributed to patients in need. These roles include blood bank technologists, medical laboratory scientists specializing in blood banking, blood bank supervisors, and transfusion medicine physicians (who may be MDs or DOs).
Most blood bank positions require at least a bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science or a related field. Many professionals in this space also pursue certification as a Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) through the American Society for Clinical Pathology. Entry-level blood bank technologists can expect salaries in the range of $55,000 to $75,000 annually, with experienced supervisors and specialists earning upward of $90,000 or more.
If you're the kind of person who thrives on precision, enjoys laboratory work, and wants to make a direct impact on patient outcomes, blood bank positions could be an excellent fit. I regularly see these roles posted on healthcareers.app, and they're consistently in demand across hospitals, independent blood centers, and research organizations.
Another fascinating and highly compensated career path in the medical field is cardiovascular perfusion. I get asked frequently: how much does a perfusionist make? The answer might surprise you.
A perfusionist — also known as a clinical perfusionist or cardiovascular perfusionist — operates the heart-lung machine during open-heart surgery and other procedures that require cardiopulmonary bypass. They are responsible for maintaining a patient's blood circulation and oxygen levels while the surgeon operates on the heart. It's an incredibly high-stakes, high-skill role that requires exceptional focus and technical expertise.
So, how much does a perfusionist make? According to salary data compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and professional associations like the American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology, perfusionists earn a median salary in the range of $125,000 to $155,000 per year. Experienced perfusionists working in high-volume cardiac surgery centers or in metropolitan areas can earn $175,000 or more annually. Factors that influence compensation include years of experience, geographic location, employer type (academic medical center versus community hospital), and whether the perfusionist takes call shifts.
Becoming a perfusionist typically requires a bachelor's degree in a science-related field followed by completion of an accredited perfusion education program, which usually takes about two years. After graduating, candidates must pass the certification examination administered by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) to earn the Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP) credential. It's a niche field with strong job security and excellent compensation — a hidden gem in healthcare careers that we love highlighting on our platform.
One thing I always emphasize to job seekers on healthcareers.app is that healthcare is fundamentally collaborative. In a typical cardiac surgery scenario, for example, a DO-trained cardiothoracic surgeon might lead the procedure while a perfusionist manages the heart-lung machine and blood bank technologists ensure that compatible blood products are available for transfusion. Each role is indispensable, and the patient's outcome depends on seamless teamwork among all these professionals.
Understanding what a DO is in the medical field — and how that role intersects with specialized positions like those in blood banking and perfusion — gives you a richer picture of the opportunities available in healthcare. Whether you're drawn to the physician's chair, the operating room, or the laboratory, there's a path that matches your skills and aspirations.
A DO is a fully licensed physician, just like an MD. Both can prescribe medication, perform surgery, and practice in any medical specialty. The primary difference is that DOs receive additional training in osteopathic manipulative treatment and are educated with a whole-body, holistic philosophy. In terms of clinical authority and scope of practice, DOs and MDs are equivalent.
Absolutely. DOs can and do perform surgery across every surgical specialty, including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery, and general surgery. Their surgical training during residency is identical in scope and rigor to that of MD-trained surgeons. Many of the surgical job postings on healthcareers.app welcome both DO and MD applicants.
Yes. Blood bank positions are consistently in demand due to a nationwide shortage of qualified medical laboratory professionals. Hospitals, trauma centers, cancer treatment facilities, and independent blood centers all need skilled blood bank technologists and specialists. The aging population and advances in transfusion medicine are expected to sustain this demand for years to come.
Perfusionists are among the highest-paid allied health professionals, with median salaries ranging from $125,000 to $155,000 annually and top earners exceeding $175,000. This places them well above many other allied health roles such as respiratory therapists, radiologic technologists, and physical therapists — though it's worth noting that perfusion training is highly specialized and the job carries significant responsibility.
The path to becoming a practicing DO typically takes a minimum of 11 years after high school: four years of undergraduate education, four years of osteopathic medical school, and at least three years of residency training. Subspecialty fellowships can add one to three additional years. While the journey is long, the career rewards — both financial and personal — are substantial.
Understanding what a DO is in the medical field opens the door to appreciating the full breadth of healthcare careers available today. Osteopathic physicians bring a unique, patient-centered philosophy to medicine while enjoying the same professional opportunities, earning potential, and respect as their MD colleagues. And the medical field extends far beyond the physician's office — from essential blood bank positions that keep our transfusion medicine infrastructure running to the high-skill, high-reward world of cardiovascular perfusion.
At healthcareers.app, we're committed to helping you navigate these diverse career paths with confidence. Whether you're researching your first healthcare career, considering a specialty change, or looking for salary benchmarks to negotiate your next contract, we're here to support your journey. The healthcare field needs passionate, well-informed professionals at every level — and I believe that starts with understanding all the possibilities that await you.
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