Healthcare career

Pediatric Surgeon

Also called: Children’s Surgeon · Pediatric General Surgeon · Neonatal Surgeon · Pediatric Trauma Surgeon

What pediatric surgeons do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a pediatric surgeon do?

Pediatric surgeons are physicians who perform surgery on newborns, children and adolescents, treating birth defects, injuries, tumors and other conditions. The median pay is $559,030 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 15+ years after high school, and employment is projected to grow +2.0% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $559,030
    $268.76/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +2.0%
    2025–35, slower than average
  • Openings per year
    0
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Doctoral or professional degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    15+ years after high school
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    1,300
    Employment, 2025

What pediatric surgeons do

Pediatric surgeons operate on the smallest patients. They repair birth defects, remove appendixes, treat hernias, operate on newborns in the NICU, remove tumors, care for injured children and perform minimally invasive procedures adapted for growing bodies. They work with families through stressful times.

Pediatric surgeons complete medical school, a five-year general surgery residency and a two-year pediatric surgery fellowship. The field is small, highly specialized and among the highest paid.

Typical duties

  • Evaluate children for surgery
  • Repair congenital defects
  • Perform appendectomies and hernia repairs
  • Operate on newborns
  • Treat childhood tumors
  • Care for injured children
  • Support and counsel families

Work environment and schedule

Pediatric surgeons work in children’s hospitals and academic medical centers.

Schedule: Long hours with frequent call for emergencies and trauma.

A day in the life

  1. Round in the NICU.
  2. Repair an infant hernia.
  3. Remove an appendix laparoscopically.
  4. Meet a family about a tumor surgery.

See a full day in the life of a pediatric surgeon →

Pediatric Surgeon salary

Half of pediatric surgeons earned more than $559,030 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $215,410 for the lowest 10% to $726,660 for the top 10%.

Full pediatric surgeon pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a pediatric surgeon

  1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
  2. Complete medical school
  3. Complete general surgery residency
  4. Complete pediatric surgery fellowship
  5. Pass boards

Medical school, a five-year general surgery residency and a two-year pediatric surgery fellowship are required.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a pediatric surgeon →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Pediatric surgery
  • Neonatal surgery
  • Laparoscopy
  • Trauma surgery
  • Pediatric physiology

People skills

  • Compassion
  • Calm under pressure
  • Communication with families
  • Precision

All pediatric surgeon skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Among the highest-paid jobs
  • Life-changing care for children
  • Highly specialized
  • Team-based care

Cons

  • Very long training
  • Emotional cases
  • Frequent call
  • Few positions

Certifications and licenses

  • ABS pediatric surgery certification: American Board of Surgery.
  • General surgery board certification: Required first.
  • State medical license: Required.
  • PALS and ATLS: Pediatric and trauma life support.

Career path

  1. Surgery Resident: Train.
  2. Pediatric Surgery Fellow: Specialize.
  3. Pediatric Surgeon: Practice.
  4. Surgeon-in-Chief: Lead children’s surgery.

Learn the job before day one

Our Pediatric Surgeon training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as explain surgery to parents and evaluate a child with abdominal pain, safety and how to land your first job.

View Pediatric Surgeon trainingIs this career right for me?

Pediatrician

Care for the health of babies, children and teens.

  • $210,040
  • 11 years after high school

Orthopedic Surgeon

Repair bones, joints, ligaments and tendons with surgery and treatment.

  • $358,550
  • 14 years after high school

Anesthesiologist

Keep patients safe and pain-free before, during and after surgery.

  • $391,490
  • 12–14 years after high school

Registered Nurse

Assess patients, give treatments, coordinate care and educate families.

  • $97,550
  • 2–4 years

Compare: Pediatric Surgeon vs. Pediatrician · Pediatric Surgeon vs. Orthopedic Surgeon · Pediatric Surgeon vs. Anesthesiologist · Pediatric Surgeon vs. RN

Pediatric Surgeon FAQ

How long does it take to become a pediatric surgeon?

Usually 15 or more years after high school.

Is the field small?

Yes, BLS counts about 1,300 pediatric surgeons nationally.

Do pediatric surgeons treat teens?

Yes, they treat patients from newborns through adolescence.

How much does a pediatric surgeon make?

The median annual wage for pediatric surgeons was $559,030 ($268.76 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $215,410 and the highest 10% earned more than $726,660.

How long does it take to become a pediatric surgeon?

Most people need about 15+ years after high school of training. Medical school, a five-year general surgery residency and a two-year pediatric surgery fellowship are required.

Do you need a degree to be a pediatric surgeon?

Yes. BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry-level education, and you also need a state license to practice.

More pediatric surgeon questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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