Podiatrist Duties and Responsibilities: A podiatrist is a physician and surgeon who treats the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Salary: 119,340 Education: four years of curriculum required by the podiatrist medical school, required to participate in residency training. Demand or need for this particular career: Doctoral or professional degree Reflection: I would not like to be a podiatrist because it's not very interesting to me.