What Does it Take to Be a Pediatrician?
Career Description Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent children’s diseases and injuries.
What Do Pediatricians Do On a Daily Basis?
- Operate on patients to remove, repair, or improve functioning of diseased or injured body parts and systems.
- Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients and parents or guardians.
- Treat children who have minor illnesses, acute and chronic health problems, and growth and development concerns.
- Advise patients, parents or guardians, and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention.
- Monitor patients’ conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.
- Examine children regularly to assess their growth and development.
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Skills Needed to be a Pediatrician
When polled, Pediatricians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Related Job Titles
- Physician
- Medical Doctor (MD)
- Pediatrician
- Adolescent Medicine Specialist
- Primary Care Pediatrician
Pediatrician Employment Estimates
In the United States, there were 29,600 jobs for Pediatrician in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 15.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,500 new jobs for Pediatrician by 2026. There will be an estimated 1,300 positions for Pediatrician per year.
The states with the most job growth for Pediatrician are Arizona, Utah, and Idaho. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Wyoming, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Pediatrician Salary
Pediatricians make between $68,860 and $208,000 a year.
Pediatricians who work in Alabama, Alaska, or Iowa, make the highest salaries.
How much do Pediatricians make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $220,910 |
Alaska | $268,010 |
Arizona | $151,420 |
Arkansas | $198,660 |
California | $185,910 |
Colorado | $185,770 |
Connecticut | $205,420 |
Delaware | $211,370 |
District of Columbia | $123,020 |
Florida | $153,630 |
Georgia | $181,000 |
Hawaii | $174,390 |
Idaho | $172,080 |
Illinois | $147,250 |
Indiana | $198,100 |
Iowa | $237,030 |
Kansas | $126,740 |
Kentucky | $183,140 |
Louisiana | $156,960 |
Maine | $191,060 |
Maryland | $168,580 |
Massachusetts | $198,340 |
Michigan | $132,310 |
Minnesota | $216,450 |
Mississippi | $258,910 |
Missouri | $209,920 |
Montana | $248,370 |
Nebraska | $156,520 |
Nevada | $258,750 |
New Hampshire | $217,810 |
New Jersey | $188,880 |
New Mexico | $187,980 |
New York | $178,680 |
North Carolina | $175,050 |
Ohio | $162,870 |
Oregon | $198,300 |
Pennsylvania | $162,990 |
Rhode Island | $199,170 |
South Carolina | $155,780 |
South Dakota | $211,230 |
Tennessee | $190,040 |
Texas | $187,350 |
Utah | $240,060 |
Vermont | $163,930 |
Virginia | $198,770 |
Washington | $183,730 |
Wisconsin | $266,160 |
Wyoming | $212,070 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Pediatricians
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Pediatricians:
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Patient electronic medical record EMR software
How to Become a Pediatrician
Learn what Pediatrician education requirements there are.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Pediatrician?
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Pediatrician may also be interested in:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.