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The average salary for pediatricians is $222,340, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are many different paths a doctor can take when it comes to choosing their medical specialty. Doctors who enjoy helping children feel their best and live healthy lives will likely find a lot of fulfillment as a pediatrician.
To learn more about how much a pediatrician makes a year, keep reading.
Key Points
• A pediatrician is a medical professional who treats children.
• A pediatrician is considered a high-earning job, with an average salary of $222,340.
• A pediatrician’s salary typically varies by state and where they choose to work.
• Most pediatricians receive generous employee benefits such as paid time off, health insurance, and retirement accounts.
• Although pediatricians receive competitive salaries and benefits, becoming one is a long and expensive process.
What Are Pediatricians?
A pediatrician is a type of doctor who provides medical care to children ranging from infancy to adolescence. They specialize in diagnosing and treating injuries, developmental issues, and illnesses children commonly experience. From routine exams to issuing vaccines to providing medicine to sick children, pediatricians can help.
The path to becoming a pediatrician is a long and expensive one. Typically, that means college, medical school, a residency, and possibly a fellowship. Medical school can easily cost over $200,000 in total tuition. It’s wise to consider this investment when pursuing a career as a pediatrician. Many doctors have a high amount of medical school debt when starting out.
Also, keep in mind that being a pediatrician involves interacting with children and their families all day. Therefore, this may not be the best job for introverts.
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How Much Do Starting Pediatricians Make a Year?
While pediatricians can eventually earn very competitive salaries, like any job, they tend to earn less when they are entry-level. The lowest 10% of earners in this role make $96,240, which is significantly lower than the average salary for all pediatricians, at $222,340.
What is the Average Salary for a Pediatrician?
On average, a pediatrician can make a salary that is considerably higher than the American average for all jobs. Where a pediatrician chooses to work can greatly impact how much they earn. This is a quick glance at the annual mean wage for a variety of workplaces where a pediatrician may be employed:
• Offices of physicians: $231,140
• General medical and surgical hospitals: $201,860
• Outpatient care centers: $236,720
• Colleges, universities, and professional schools: $166,090
• Specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals: $171,290
Another factor that also affects pediatrician earning potential is the state the doctor works in. The table below highlights how average pediatrician salaries vary by state, with typical pay arranged from highest to lowest by location.
In addition, it shares how much a pediatrician’s hourly pay vs. salary is.
What Is the Average Pediatrician Salary by State for 2026
| State | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $218,033 | $18,169 | $4,192 | $104.82 |
| New York | $210,610 | $17,550 | $4,050 | $101.25 |
| Massachusetts | $210,242 | $17,520 | $4,043 | $101.08 |
| Alaska | $207,320 | $17,276 | $3,986 | $99.67 |
| Vermont | $204,684 | $17,057 | $3,936 | $98.41 |
| North Dakota | $203,688 | $16,974 | $3,917 | $97.93 |
| Oregon | $203,535 | $16,961 | $3,914 | $97.85 |
| Colorado | $202,425 | $16,868 | $3,892 | $97.32 |
| Hawaii | $200,007 | $16,667 | $3,846 | $96.16 |
| Nevada | $196,031 | $16,335 | $3,769 | $94.25 |
| New Jersey | $195,440 | $16,286 | $3,758 | $93.96 |
| Wisconsin | $194,308 | $16,192 | $3,736 | $93.42 |
| Pennsylvania | $192,970 | $16,080 | $3,710 | $92.77 |
| Delaware | $192,673 | $16,056 | $3,705 | $92.63 |
| South Dakota | $192,507 | $16,042 | $3,702 | $92.55 |
| Virginia | $190,856 | $15,904 | $3,670 | $91.76 |
| California | $189,986 | $15,832 | $3,653 | $91.34 |
| Minnesota | $188,544 | $15,712 | $3,628 | $90.65 |
| Rhode Island | $188,525 | $15,710 | $3,625 | $90.64 |
| New Hampshire | $187,215 | $15,601 | $3,600 | $90.01 |
| Maryland | $186,836 | $15,569 | $3,593 | $89.83 |
| New Mexico | $186,554 | $15,546 | $3,587 | $89.69 |
| Illinois | $186,544 | $15,545 | $3,587 | $89.68 |
| Maine | $186,385 | $15,532 | $3,584 | $89.61 |
| Wyoming | $185,042 | $15,420 | $3,558 | $88.96 |
| Nebraska | $183,546 | $15,295 | $3,529 | $88.24 |
| Indiana | $183,183 | $15,265 | $3,522 | $88.07 |
| Connecticut | $183,130 | $15,260 | $3,521 | $88.04 |
| Ohio | $183,016 | $15,251 | $3,519 | $87.99 |
| Mississippi | $182,318 | $15,193 | $3,506 | $87.65 |
| Idaho | $181,129 | $15,094 | $3,483 | $87.08 |
| Iowa | $180,816 | $15,068 | $3,477 | $86.93 |
| Missouri | $180,573 | $15,047 | $3,472 | $86.81 |
| Arizona | $179,395 | $14,949 | $3,449 | $86.25 |
| Texas | $179,350 | $14,945 | $3,449 | $86.23 |
| South Carolina | $178,638 | $14,886 | $3,435 | $85.88 |
| Oklahoma | $177,749 | $14,812 | $3,418 | $85.46 |
| Montana | $176,692 | $14,724 | $3,397 | $84.95 |
| Utah | $175,253 | $14,604 | $3,370 | $84.26 |
| North Carolina | $174,951 | $14,579 | $3,364 | $84.11 |
| Tennessee | $174,723 | $14,560 | $3,360 | $84.00 |
| Alabama | $174,486 | $14,540 | $3,355 | $83.89 |
| Kansas | $171,688 | $14,307 | $3,301 | $82.54 |
| Michigan | $167,788 | $13,982 | $3,226 | $80.67 |
| Kentucky | $167,198 | $13,933 | $3,215 | $80.38 |
| Louisiana | $164,618 | $13,718 | $3,165 | $79.14 |
| Georgia | $162,550 | $13,545 | $3,125 | $78.15 |
| Arkansas | $159,185 | $13,265 | $3,061 | $76.53 |
| West Virginia | $149,033 | $12,419 | $2,866 | $71.65 |
| Florida | $143,859 | $11,988 | $2,766 | $69.16 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
Recommended: What Is a Six-Figure Salary?
Pediatrician Job Considerations for Pay & Benefits
Alongside earning a $100,000 salary or more, most pediatricians also receive superior employee benefits. If a pediatrician runs their own practice, they will need to supply themselves and their employees with these benefits.
Those who are employed by employers such as hospitals or medical groups can expect to gain access to benefits such as paid time off, health insurance, and retirement accounts. They may also have unique benefits, including continuing education allowances and malpractice insurance coverage.
đź’ˇ Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.
Pros and Cons of Pediatrician Salary
The main advantage associated with competitive pay for pediatricians is that it’s quite high. With an average salary of $222,340, pediatricians are greatly rewarded for their hard work.
However, they must pursue many years of higher education to earn that salary. Many young doctors struggle under the weight of their student loan payments. So while this salary may seem high at first glance, much of it may go toward student loan debt initially.
It’s also worthwhile to consider your work-life balance. Being a pediatrician and improving the health of children may be a very rewarding career, but it also involves long, tiring hours and being on call for patients on nights and weekends. Medical problems and emergencies crop up all the time, so this is a factor to acknowledge.
Recommended: Average US Salary by State
The Takeaway
Pediatricians can earn very high pay while making a big difference in the lives of their patients and their families. They do have to commit to many years of schooling and education to become a pediatrician, but once they do, they can earn a great living.
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FAQ
Can you make $100k a year as a pediatrician?
Most pediatricians make $100,000 a year or more, especially after gaining a few years of work experience. The average salary for a pediatrician is $222,340.
Do people like being a pediatrician?
Pursuing a career in pediatric medicine is a major commitment, and those who are passionate about this field and patient care are likely to really enjoy their work. However, this role requires many hours of patient interaction a day, so even if someone finds the work fascinating, it won’t be a good fit for them if they’re antisocial.
Is it hard to get hired as a pediatrician?
The main challenge in getting hired as a pediatrician is not having the right credentials. Potential pediatricians must pursue medical school and any required medical licenses in order to find a job in this field, which is no easy feat.
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