Healthcare career

Pediatrician

Also called: Children’s Doctor · General Pediatrician · Pediatric Hospitalist · Neonatologist

What pediatricians 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 pediatrician do?

Pediatricians are physicians who diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries in children and provide preventive care from birth through adolescence. The median pay is $210,040 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 11 years after high school, and employment is projected to grow +1.5% from 2025–35.

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

  • Median pay
    $210,040
    $100.98/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +1.5%
    2025–35, slower than average
  • Openings per year
    1,000
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Doctoral or professional degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    11 years after high school
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    42,200
    Employment, 2025

What pediatricians do

Pediatricians help children grow up healthy. They examine newborns, track growth and development, give vaccines, treat ear infections, asthma and injuries, screen for developmental and behavioral concerns, and counsel parents on nutrition, safety and sleep. Many work in clinics; others care for hospitalized children or newborns.

Pediatricians complete medical school and a three-year pediatrics residency; subspecialists such as neonatologists and pediatric cardiologists train longer.

Typical duties

  • Examine newborns and children
  • Track growth and development
  • Give vaccines
  • Diagnose and treat illnesses
  • Manage chronic conditions like asthma
  • Screen for developmental concerns
  • Counsel parents

Work environment and schedule

Pediatricians work in clinics, hospitals, nurseries and community health centers.

Schedule: Clinic pediatricians mostly work weekdays with some evening or weekend hours and phone call.

A day in the life

  1. See a newborn after discharge.
  2. Do a 2-year well-child visit.
  3. Treat an ear infection.
  4. Adjust an asthma plan.

See a full day in the life of a pediatrician →

Pediatrician salary

Half of pediatricians earned more than $210,040 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $91,470 for the lowest 10% to $338,500 for the top 10%.

Full pediatrician pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a pediatrician

  1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
  2. Complete medical school
  3. Complete pediatrics residency
  4. Pass boards
  5. Practice or subspecialize

Medical school plus a three-year pediatrics residency are required, along with a license and board certification.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a pediatrician →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Pediatric examination
  • Developmental screening
  • Vaccination
  • Acute illness care
  • Asthma management

People skills

  • Patience
  • Communication with parents
  • Warmth
  • Calm reassurance

All pediatrician skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Help children thrive
  • Long-term family relationships
  • Mostly outpatient hours
  • Fun, energetic patients

Cons

  • Lower pay than many specialties
  • Anxious parents
  • Vaccine hesitancy conversations
  • Child abuse cases

Certifications and licenses

  • ABP board certification: American Board of Pediatrics.
  • State medical license: Required.
  • PALS and NRP: Pediatric and newborn resuscitation.
  • Subspecialty certification: Neonatology, cardiology and more.

Career path

  1. Pediatric Resident: Train.
  2. Pediatrician: Practice.
  3. Subspecialist: After fellowship.
  4. Medical Director: Lead pediatric care.

Learn the job before day one

Our Pediatrician training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as address vaccine hesitancy and do a developmental screen, safety and how to land your first job.

View Pediatrician trainingIs this career right for me?

Pediatric Surgeon

Perform surgery on infants, children and teens.

  • $559,030
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Registered Nurse

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

  • $97,550
  • 2–4 years

Nurse Practitioner

Diagnose, treat and prescribe as an advanced practice registered nurse.

  • $132,300
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Compare: Pediatrician vs. Family Doctor · Pediatrician vs. Pediatric Surgeon · Pediatrician vs. RN · Pediatrician vs. NP

Pediatrician FAQ

How long does it take to become a pediatrician?

About 11 years after high school.

Until what age do pediatricians see patients?

Usually through age 18 to 21.

Do pediatricians work in hospitals?

Some do, as hospitalists or in newborn nurseries and NICUs.

How much does a pediatrician make?

The median annual wage for pediatricians was $210,040 ($100.98 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $91,470 and the highest 10% earned more than $338,500.

How long does it take to become a pediatrician?

Most people need about 11 years after high school of training. Medical school plus a three-year pediatrics residency are required, along with a license and board certification.

Do you need a degree to be a pediatrician?

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

More pediatrician 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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