Pediatrician

Your Fit

Income

$210K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

0.9%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Pediatrician?

A Pediatrician is a medical doctor specializing in the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. They focus on diagnosing and treating illnesses, medical conditions, and injuries specific to younger populations.

Sample job titles:

General Pediatrician, Group Practice Pediatrician, Medical Doctor (MD), Physician

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Pediatrician.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Pediatrician earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$96K per year	$160K per year	$210K per year	NA per year	NA per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $161K above the national average.

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What does a Pediatrician do?

Work environment

Pediatricians typically work in healthcare settings such as hospitals, pediatric clinics, and private practices. They may also work in community health centers or schools. The environment is fast-paced and requires the ability to handle a variety of medical situations, from routine health check-ups to emergency care.

Quick task list

Conducts physical exams and health check-ups.
Diagnoses and treats illnesses, injuries, and other health issues in children.
Advises parents and guardians on children's health, nutrition, and disease prevention.
Administers vaccinations.
Monitors and supports children's growth and development.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Neonatology: Focusing on the care of newborn infants, particularly premature or ill newborns.
Pediatric Oncology: Specializing in diagnosing and treating cancers in children.
Pediatric Cardiology: Concentrating on treating heart conditions in children.
Pediatric Endocrinology: Dealing with hormonal and glandular issues in children.
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics: Addressing behavioral and developmental disorders.

Description

Pediatricians play a critical role in early detection of health issues, guiding a child's health as they grow. They must be knowledgeable about a wide range of medical conditions that affect children and how these conditions manifest differently than in adults. Pediatricians not only focus on physical health but also consider the emotional and social aspects of child development, making their role multifaceted.

Effective communication is key in pediatrics. Pediatricians must communicate complex medical information in a way that children and their parents can understand. This requires patience, empathy, and excellent interpersonal skills. They also need to be skilled in handling anxious parents and scared children, making a comforting demeanor essential.

The field of pediatrics offers a gratifying balance of challenges and rewards. Pediatricians have the unique opportunity to impact the lives of their patients from birth into young adulthood. They witness and contribute to significant developmental milestones, which can be deeply fulfilling.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Making a positive impact on children's health and development.
Building long-term relationships with families.
The joy and challenge of working with children.
Opportunities for specialization in various pediatric fields.

You might make a good Pediatrician if you are...

Passionate about children's health and well-being.
Patient, empathetic, and able to communicate effectively with both children and adults.
Detail-oriented, with a keen interest in the developmental stages of childhood.
Interested in a challenging and rewarding medical field that combines care for physical and mental health.

Pros:

High level of job satisfaction from caring for children.
Diverse career paths and opportunities for specialization.
Competitive salary and high demand in various healthcare settings.

Cons:

Lengthy and expensive educational and training process.
Emotionally challenging, especially when dealing with sick or injured children.
Potential for long and irregular hours, especially in hospital settings.

How to become a Pediatrician

Typical education

Becoming a pediatrician requires extensive education, including a 4-year undergraduate degree, 4 years of medical school, and a 3-year residency in pediatrics. This totals approximately 11 years of post-secondary education.

High school preparation

Courses:

Advanced science courses, particularly biology and chemistry.
Psychology to understand child development and behavior.
Health classes to gain basic knowledge of human health and diseases.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering in hospitals, pediatric clinics, or children's camps.
Participating in health science clubs or medical explorer programs.
Shadowing a pediatrician to gain firsthand experience of the profession.

Preparation after high school

Completing a bachelor's degree, ideally with a pre-medical focus.
Attending medical school to obtain a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
Completing a residency program in pediatrics.
Obtaining a medical license and board certification in pediatrics.

More resources

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - A professional organization offering resources, guidelines, and advocacy for pediatricians.
Pediatrics - The official journal of the AAP, providing research and articles on pediatric medicine.
The Pediatrician's Toolkit - A collection of resources and tools for pediatricians in practice.
American Board of Pediatrics - Information on certification and maintenance of certification for pediatricians.
MedlinePlus: Children's Health - A resource offering comprehensive health information on children's health issues for both healthcare professionals and the public.

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