Podiatrist
Diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower limb.
This UK podiatrist career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £28,407 (NHS Band 5)
- Mid-career salary
- £35,000 - £50,000
- Senior salary
- £55,000 - £80,000
- Work environment
- Hospital, clinic or community setting
- Time to entry
- 3 years (BSc)
- Degree required
- Often required
- Category
- Healthcare and Care
What a Podiatrist does
Diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower limb.
- NHS Podiatry - Routine and high-risk foot care in the NHS.
- Diabetic Foot - Specialist diabetic foot clinics.
- Sports Podiatry - Biomechanics and gait for athletes.
- Podiatric Surgery - Surgical podiatry in specialist centres.
How to become a Podiatrist
- Look up Podiatrist roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a Podiatrist - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- Clinical assessment
- Manual dexterity
- Patient comms
- Biomechanics
- Business basics