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Pediatricians, General

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeHigh pressure

What they do

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries in children. May refer patients to specialists for further diagnosis or treatment, as needed.

Kinds of work

  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $210,040 Median per year · $100.98/hr Most earn $91,470–$338,500

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Examine children regularly to assess their growth and development.
  • Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients and parents or guardians.
  • Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioner when necessary.
  • Teach residents or medical students about pediatric topics.
  • Prepare government or organizational reports of birth, death, and disease statistics, workforce evaluations, or medical status of individuals.
  • Plan and execute medical care programs to aid in the mental and physical growth and development of children and adolescents.

Job outlook

United States
2% more jobs by 2035, slower than average · about 1,000 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Offices of physicians61.0%
  • General medical and surgical hospitals22.5%
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools5.4%
  • Self-employed (their own business)3.8%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Pediatrics is not an entry-level job. It requires a medical degree and residency training, so it usually takes about 11 years of school and training after high school, sometimes longer. The good news is that each step builds real skills and gives you chances to find out whether medicine and kids are a good fit for you.

  1. Bachelor's degree (science-focused, often with pre-medical courses)

    4 years

    You build a strong science base in biology, chemistry, and math, and you take the courses medical schools require. Good grades and some hands-on health experience matter here.

  2. Medical degree (MD or DO)

    4 years

    You study medicine in classes and hospital rotations, including time in pediatric settings. You also take national licensing exams along the way.

  3. Pediatric residency

    3 years

    You train in a hospital or clinic under supervising doctors, caring for children of all ages. This hands-on training is what makes you ready to practice on your own.

  4. Pediatrician

    Ongoing

    After residency and passing your licensing exams, you can work as a general pediatrician in a clinic, hospital, or private practice.

Where it can lead

  1. Pediatric Medical Director

    5-10 years of experience first

    You take on leadership duties such as overseeing other doctors, managing clinic quality, and setting care policies, usually after years of practice and strong management skills.

  2. Allergists and Immunologists

    4-6 years of experience first

    Many pediatricians pursue an additional fellowship to specialize in allergies and immune conditions, which adds focused training on top of your general pediatric experience.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, chemistry, and mathThese classes give you the science foundation you will need for college and medical school.
  • Volunteer at a hospital, clinic, or nursing homeHands-on exposure shows you what health care work is really like and looks good on future applications.
  • Babysit or tutor young childrenCaring for kids builds patience and communication skills that pediatricians use every day.
  • Join a science, health, or first-aid clubClubs help you explore medicine with others who share your interest and can build teamwork and leadership.
  • Get a first-aid or CPR certificationThis is a practical, low-cost skill that shows commitment and is useful in any health-related setting.

In college

  • Major in biology, chemistry, or another scienceMost pre-medical students choose a science major, and it prepares you for the medical school entrance exam and coursework.
  • Get clinical experience through a campus or community jobWorking as a medical scribe, hospital aide, or in a clinic helps you see patient care up close and strengthens your applications.
  • Volunteer with children or in a pediatric settingTime with kids in hospitals, camps, schools, or after-school programs shows you the pediatric side of medicine.
  • Join a pre-health or science student organizationThese groups offer advice on applications, guest speakers from medicine, and chances to connect with mentors.
  • Build research or lab experienceMany medical schools value research, and working with a professor teaches you how science is done and how to think critically.

Tips for getting started

  • Spend time around kids and health care now, such as volunteering or working with children, to see if this career feels right for you.
  • Work hard in science and math classes, since medical schools look closely at your grades and the courses you take.
  • Talk to a doctor or a pediatric nurse about their day-to-day work. Ask what they wish they had known at your age.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

  • Medicine Professional degree: typical pay 1 year after finishing $65,192 a year · typical debt $207,472

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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