Allergist/Immunologist

Your Fit

Income

$299K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

3.0%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is an Allergist/Immunologist?

An Allergist/Immunologist is a medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of allergic diseases and conditions related to the immune system. This includes allergies to food, medications, and environmental factors, as well as autoimmune diseases and immunodeficiency disorders.

Sample job titles:

Allergist, Immunologist, MD (Medical Doctor), Physician

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Allergist/Immunologist.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does an Allergist/Immunologist earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Allergist/Immunologist.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$121K per year	NA per year	$299K per year	NA per year	$613K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $234K above the national average.

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What does an Allergist/Immunologist do?

Work environment

Allergists/Immunologists work in various settings, including private practices, hospitals, clinics, and research facilities. They may also collaborate with schools and community organizations to manage and educate about allergies and immune conditions. The work often involves direct patient interaction and can include laboratory work.

Quick task list

Diagnoses and treats allergic reactions and immune system disorders.
Performs allergy tests and interprets the results.
Prescribes medications and immunotherapy.
Provides patient education on allergy management and prevention.
Conducts research on allergies and immune response.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology: Focusing on allergies and immune disorders in children.
Autoimmune Diseases: Specializing in conditions where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues.
Immunodeficiency Disorders: Treating disorders where the immune system is compromised.
Asthma Management: Specializing in treating and managing asthma, often related to allergies.
Food Allergies: Focusing on diagnosing and managing allergies to specific foods.

Description

Allergists/Immunologists play a critical role in healthcare, addressing conditions that affect a significant portion of the population. Their work involves not only treating existing allergic reactions and immune disorders but also developing long-term management plans for their patients. This requires a deep understanding of immunology and the various environmental, genetic, and physiological factors that can trigger allergies and immune responses.

In addition to patient care, many Allergists/Immunologists are involved in research, contributing to the development of new treatments and therapies. They also play an important role in public health, educating patients, communities, and healthcare professionals about allergy prevention and management.

The career demands a combination of scientific knowledge and interpersonal skills, as Allergists/Immunologists need to communicate complex information clearly to patients of all ages. They must be detail-oriented to accurately diagnose conditions and compassionate to support patients dealing with chronic allergies and immune disorders.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Improving the quality of life for patients with chronic conditions.
Engaging in ongoing research and contributing to advancements in the field.
The intellectual challenge of diagnosing and treating complex immune disorders.
Opportunity to form long-term relationships with patients.

You might make a good Allergist/Immunologist if you are...

Intrigued by the complexities of the human immune system.
Interested in working with patients of all ages, particularly those with chronic conditions.
Detail-oriented, with strong diagnostic and problem-solving skills.
Compassionate and able to provide empathetic patient care.
Committed to ongoing learning and staying abreast of medical advancements.

Pros:

Rewarding work in improving patients' lives.
Growing demand due to the increase in allergy and immune disorder cases.
Opportunities for research and specialization.

Cons:

Long and demanding educational and training path.
Emotional challenges in managing chronic illnesses in patients.
The need to keep up with rapidly evolving medical knowledge in the field.

How to become an Allergist/Immunologist

Typical education

The path to becoming an Allergist/Immunologist includes completing a 4-year undergraduate degree, 4 years of medical school, and a 3-year residency in internal medicine or pediatrics, followed by a 2-3 year fellowship in allergy and immunology. This totals approximately 13-14 years of post-secondary education.

High school preparation

Courses:

Biology and Chemistry to build a strong foundation in life sciences.
Mathematics, particularly statistics, for medical research and data analysis.
Health science courses to understand basic human physiology and diseases.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering in healthcare settings, such as hospitals or clinics.
Participating in science clubs or fairs, particularly those focusing on biology or health topics.
Shadowing medical professionals, especially those in allergy and immunology.

Preparation after high school

Completing a bachelor's degree with a pre-medical focus.
Attending medical school to obtain a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree.
Completing a residency in internal medicine or pediatrics.
Pursuing a fellowship in allergy and immunology.
Obtaining board certification in allergy and immunology.

More resources

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) - Provides resources and information for allergists and immunologists.
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) - Offers educational materials and patient resources.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology - A leading journal featuring research in allergy and immunology.
Immune Deficiency Foundation - Offers information on primary immunodeficiency diseases and resources for patients.
World Allergy Organization - Provides global resources and information on allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology.

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