Choosing a career in medicine is a significant commitment, and for those drawn to caring for children, pediatrics is a profoundly rewarding path. Beyond the intrinsic rewards, a career as a pediatrician offers substantial financial stability and growth. If you're considering this specialization, you're likely wondering: what is the average salary for a pediatrician?
The answer is encouraging. While the journey requires extensive education and training, the financial compensation is strong, with most pediatricians earning well into six figures. The national average salary for a general pediatrician typically falls between $190,000 and $245,000 per year. However, this figure is just a starting point. Your actual earnings can vary significantly based on a number of critical factors.
This guide will break down what you can expect to earn as a pediatrician and explore the key variables that will shape your financial future in this essential field.
What Does a Pediatrician Do?
Before diving into the numbers, it's important to understand the role. A pediatrician is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth through adolescence. Their responsibilities are broad and vital, including:
- Diagnosing and treating illnesses, injuries, and infections.
- Performing regular well-child checkups to monitor growth and development.
- Administering vaccinations and providing preventative care.
- Advising parents on topics like nutrition, safety, and childhood development.
- Managing chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, or developmental disorders.
It's a career that combines deep medical knowledge with compassion, patience, and excellent communication skills.
Average Pediatrician Salary
The average salary for a pediatrician is a strong indicator of the profession's value. However, different data sources provide slightly different figures, which together paint a complete picture.
- Salary.com reports that the median annual salary for a pediatrician in the United States is approximately $222,190, with a typical range falling between $193,790 and $245,290.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups general pediatricians under the broader category of "Physicians and Surgeons," which had a median pay of $229,300 per year in May 2022. The BLS specifically notes the median annual wage for General Pediatricians was $203,240.
- The Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2023, a highly respected industry survey, places the average annual income for pediatricians at $251,000.
This data reveals a healthy range, with entry-level positions starting closer to the $180,000-$190,000 mark and experienced, specialized, or strategically located pediatricians earning upwards of $250,000 or even $300,000.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your specific salary as a pediatrician is not a fixed number. It is influenced by a combination of your training, choices, and professional environment. Understanding these factors is key to maximizing your earning potential.
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Level of Education
The foundational education for all pediatricians is extensive: a four-year bachelor's degree, four years of medical school (to earn an MD or DO), followed by a three-year residency in pediatrics. This is the minimum requirement for licensure and practice.
The primary educational factor that significantly increases salary is pursuing a subspecialty fellowship. After residency, a doctor can complete an additional 2-3 years of training in a specific area. These subspecialists are in high demand and command much higher salaries. For example, a general pediatrician's salary is a baseline, while a pediatric cardiologist or neonatologist can earn substantially more.
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Years of Experience
Like most professions, experience pays. As you build your skills, reputation, and patient base, your value to an employer or your practice increases.
- Entry-Level (0-5 years): A pediatrician just out of residency can expect to earn on the lower end of the national range, typically starting between $180,000 and $200,000.
- Mid-Career (6-15 years): With significant experience, a pediatrician’s salary grows substantially, often reaching the national average of $220,000 to $250,000.
- Senior/Experienced (16+ years): A seasoned pediatrician, especially one who may have become a partner in a private practice or holds a senior role in a hospital, can earn $250,000 or more. According to Payscale, experienced pediatricians can see their earnings increase by 20% or more compared to their entry-level salaries.
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Geographic Location
Where you choose to practice has one of the most significant impacts on your salary. This is often driven by supply and demand—areas with a higher cost of living or those in rural communities struggling to attract physicians tend to offer higher compensation.
According to the BLS, the top-paying states for general pediatricians include:
1. Montana: $278,920
2. South Dakota: $275,690
3. Utah: $266,160
4. Wisconsin: $263,740
5. Mississippi: $257,590
Conversely, states with a high concentration of medical schools and large metropolitan areas may offer slightly lower, yet still competitive, salaries due to a larger supply of physicians.
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Company Type
The setting where you work plays a major role in your compensation structure. The Medscape report highlights these differences:
- Physician-Owned Private Practice (Solo or Group): This setting often offers the highest earning potential. Pediatricians who are partners in their practice can earn significantly more than their employed counterparts, as they share in the profits. The average for self-employed physicians often surpasses $270,000.
- Hospital or Health System-Employed: Working for a hospital provides a stable, predictable salary with benefits and often less administrative burden. While base salaries may be slightly lower than for practice owners, the total compensation package is very strong.
- Academic/University Setting: Pediatricians who work in academic medicine (teaching, research) typically earn less than those in clinical practice. The trade-off is often a better work-life balance, the prestige of a university affiliation, and the opportunity to shape the next generation of doctors.
- Outpatient Care Centers: These settings are a major employer of pediatricians and offer competitive salaries, often falling between hospital and private practice benchmarks.
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Area of Specialization
Pursuing a subspecialty is the most direct path to a higher salary. While general pediatrics is a rewarding and well-compensated field, certain pediatric subspecialties that deal with high-acuity or complex cases are in exceptionally high demand.
Here’s a comparison from various industry reports:
- General Pediatrician: ~$251,000
- Pediatric Gastroenterologist: ~$300,000
- Pediatric Pulmonologist: ~$305,000
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine: ~$330,000
- Pediatric Cardiologist: ~$355,000
- Neonatologist (specializing in newborns): ~$360,000+
These figures demonstrate that additional fellowship training can lead to a salary increase of $50,000 to over $100,000 annually.
Job Outlook
The future for pediatricians is bright. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for physicians and surgeons is projected to grow 3 percent from 2022 to 2032. While this is about the average for all occupations, the demand for pediatric care remains consistently high due to population growth. Furthermore, as a segment of the current physician workforce nears retirement, there will be a continuous need for new, well-trained pediatricians to fill these roles, ensuring strong job security for years to come.
Conclusion
A career in pediatrics is a long-term investment that yields immense personal and financial rewards. While the national average salary provides a strong baseline, your earning potential is largely in your hands. By understanding how factors like experience, location, practice type, and specialization influence your income, you can strategically guide your career toward your financial goals.
For those aspiring to enter this field, the message is clear: the path is challenging, but it leads to a stable, secure, and financially prosperous career dedicated to the health and well-being of the next generation.