Career comparison
Pediatric Surgeon vs. Pediatrician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Pediatric surgeons earn more at the median ($559,030 vs. $210,040), while pediatricians usually get to work faster (11 years after high school of training). Pediatric surgeons perform surgery on infants, children and teens. Pediatricians care for the health of babies, children and teens.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Pediatric Surgeon | Pediatrician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $559,030 ($268.76/hr) | $210,040 ($100.98/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $215,410 – $726,660 | $91,470 – $338,500 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.0% (slower than average) | +1.5% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 0 | 1,000 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 15+ years after high school | 11 years after high school |
| Key credential | ABS pediatric surgery certification | ABP board certification |
| Work setting | Pediatric surgeons work in children’s hospitals and academic medical centers.. | Pediatricians work in clinics, hospitals, nurseries and community health centers.. |
What each job does
Pediatric Surgeon
- Evaluate children for surgery
- Repair congenital defects
- Perform appendectomies and hernia repairs
- Operate on newborns
- Treat childhood tumors
Pediatrician
- Examine newborns and children
- Track growth and development
- Give vaccines
- Diagnose and treat illnesses
- Manage chronic conditions like asthma
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, helping others, and high responsibility. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose pediatric surgeon if…
- I want to operate on children
- I stay calm in emergencies
- I can comfort worried families
Choose pediatrician if…
- I love working with kids
- I communicate well with parents
- I like prevention
Still torn? Take the Pediatric Surgeon fit quiz and the Pediatrician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, pediatric surgeon or pediatrician?
Pediatric Surgeons earn more at the median: $559,030 versus $210,040 for pediatricians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Pediatricians typically train faster (11 years after high school) than pediatric surgeons (15+ years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects pediatric surgeons to grow +2.0% from 2025–35, compared with +1.5% for pediatricians.