Urologist

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 Urologist?

A Urologist is a medical doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating disorders of the urinary system in both men and women, as well as the male reproductive system. This includes diseases affecting the kidneys, bladder, urethra, and adrenal glands, along with the prostate and male genitalia.

Sample job titles:

MD (Medical Doctor), Physician, Urologist, Urology MD (Urology Medical Doctor)

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Urologist.

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 Urologist 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 Urologist.

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.

See income by country/state/province

What does an Urologist do?

Work environment

Urologists typically work in hospitals, private clinics, and urology centers. Their work can include both office-based consultations and surgical procedures in hospital settings. They often collaborate with other healthcare professionals and may have on-call duties for emergency surgeries.

Quick task list

Diagnoses and treats conditions of the urinary tract and male reproductive system.
Performs surgical procedures, including minimally invasive, laparoscopic, and robotic surgeries.
Provides patient care before, during, and after surgical procedures.
Conducts screenings and preventive care for urological cancers.
Advises patients on lifestyle changes and preventive care for urinary and reproductive health.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Pediatric Urology: Specializing in urological disorders in children.
Urologic Oncology: Focusing on cancers of the urinary system and male reproductive organs.
Female Urology: Treating urinary disorders predominantly affecting women, like urinary incontinence.
Neurourology: Addressing urological issues related to neurological conditions.
Andrology: Specializing in male reproductive health, including infertility and erectile dysfunction.

Description

Urology is a dynamic and diverse field of medicine, combining both surgical and clinical skills. Urologists are trained to treat a broad range of conditions, from common urinary tract infections to complex cancers. They must be adept in various surgical techniques and technologies, as the field has seen significant advancements in minimally invasive and robotic surgeries.

The role of an Urologist is not limited to surgery; they also provide comprehensive patient care, including diagnosis, treatment planning, and postoperative management. They need to stay updated with the latest medical research and technologies in urology to provide the best care for their patients.

Becoming an Urologist requires dedication to extensive training and continuous learning. The profession offers the satisfaction of improving patients' quality of life, whether through surgical intervention or medical management. Urologists often build long-term relationships with their patients, particularly in managing chronic conditions.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Making a significant impact on patient health and quality of life.
The intellectual challenge and variety in medical and surgical practice.
Continuous learning and staying at the forefront of medical technology.
Opportunities for specialization and research in specific urological areas.

You might make a good Urologist if you are...

Interested in a surgical specialty that also offers long-term patient care.
Detail-oriented, with strong problem-solving skills.
Skilled in hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity for surgical procedures.
Compassionate and able to communicate effectively with patients.
Dedicated to lifelong learning and adapting to new medical technologies.

Pros:

Rewarding and diverse work, both in surgery and patient care.
High demand for specialists in urology across various healthcare settings.
Opportunities for advanced research and specialization.

Cons:

Long and demanding educational and training process.
The potential for high-stress situations, particularly in surgical emergencies.
On-call responsibilities and the possibility of irregular hours.

How to become an Urologist

Typical education

The path to becoming an Urologist includes completing a 4-year undergraduate degree, 4 years of medical school, followed by a 5-6 year residency in urology. This amounts to approximately 13-14 years of post-secondary education.

High school preparation

Courses:

Advanced science courses, especially biology and chemistry, to prepare for a pre-med track.
Mathematics to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Health or anatomy classes to gain a basic understanding of human physiology.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering at hospitals or health clinics to gain exposure to the medical field.
Participating in science clubs, particularly those focused on biology or health sciences.
Shadowing a medical professional, ideally a urologist, to gain insight into the field.

Preparation after high school

Obtaining a bachelor's degree, preferably with a focus on pre-medical studies or related sciences.
Attending medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
Completing a residency program in urology.
Obtaining a medical license and considering board certification in urology.

More resources

American Urological Association (AUA) - Provides educational resources, research, and advocacy for urologists.
Urology Care Foundation - The official foundation of the AUA, offering patient education on urologic health.
Journal of Urology - A leading peer-reviewed medical journal in the field of urology.
Society of Pediatric Urology (SPU) - Offers resources and information for those specializing in pediatric urology.
European Association of Urology (EAU) - Provides guidelines, research, and educational resources for urologists in Europe and globally.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.