Hiring guide · Healthcare
How to Hire a Pediatrician
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring pediatricians, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $210,040), recruit through community college and vocational program career centers, verify ABP board certification where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for pediatricians
There are about 42,200 pediatricians employed in the U.S., with roughly 1,000 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +1.5% from 2025–35 (slower than average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $91,470–$138,290 | $43.98–$66.49 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $210,040 | $100.98 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $273,700 | $131.59 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $338,500 | $162.74 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Doctoral or professional degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Pediatric examination
- Patience
Nice-to-haves
- ABP board certification
- State medical license
- PALS and NRP
- Experience with pediatric exam equipment
Where to find pediatricians
- Community college and vocational program career centers
- Clinical externship and student-placement partnerships
- State nurse aide registries and healthcare job boards
- Employee referral programs
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Children’s Doctor, General Pediatrician, Pediatric Hospitalist, Neonatologist
Screening checklist
- Verify certifications and state registry or license status with the issuing body
- Background checks and federal exclusion-list (OIG LEIE) screening as required for your organization
- Immunization records, TB testing and drug screening according to policy and law
- Current BLS/CPR certification
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Why pediatrics?”
What a strong answer includes: Share motivation.
2. “How do you calm a scared child?”
What a strong answer includes: Give examples.
3. “How do you talk with worried parents?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “How do you handle vaccine hesitancy?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
5. “Do you plan to subspecialize?”
What a strong answer includes: Share goals.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Address Vaccine Hesitancy (see the steps)
- Do a Developmental Screen (see the steps)
- Create an Asthma Action Plan (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Well-child visit, Developmental milestone, Growth chart
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Pediatrician 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Pediatrician training. Show them the path forward: Pediatric Resident → Pediatrician → Subspecialist → Medical Director.
Hiring pediatricians: FAQ
How much should I pay a pediatrician?
The U.S. median wage for pediatricians is $210,040 per year ($100.98/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($138,290), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($273,700). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a pediatrician have?
BLS lists “doctoral or professional degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for ABP board certification and State medical license where relevant, plus skills such as pediatric examination, developmental screening, and vaccination.
How long does it take to train a new pediatrician?
Becoming qualified typically takes 11 years after high school. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “internship/residency.”