How much does a pediatrician make?
The median pediatrician in the United States earns $210,130 per year, about $101.03 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all pediatricians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 29-1221.
Pediatrician salary range
Pay for pediatricians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $96,240 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $239,200+. The average (mean) wage of $222,340 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $96,240 | $46.27 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $159,510 | $76.69 | |
| Median (50th) | $210,130 | $101.03 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | |
| 90th percentile | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for pediatricians, general (SOC 29-1221), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Pediatrician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Pediatricians earn the most in Alaska at $239,200+ a year, and the least in Arkansas at $74,890. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $239,200+ | 40 |
| California | $239,200+ | 6,960 |
| Iowa | $239,200+ | 210 |
| Louisiana | $239,200+ | 70 |
| New Hampshire | $239,200+ | 200 |
| Wisconsin | $239,200+ | 320 |
| New Mexico | $237,950 | 230 |
| Kentucky | $237,740 | 260 |
| Mississippi | $236,860 | 60 |
| Arizona | $227,410 | 910 |
| Oklahoma | $226,150 | 160 |
| North Dakota | $225,250 | 120 |
| Maine | $224,200 | 140 |
| South Dakota | $217,990 | 80 |
| Pennsylvania | $217,810 | 2,010 |
| Connecticut | $215,730 | 1,300 |
| Missouri | $215,040 | 170 |
| Massachusetts | $213,230 | 2,980 |
| Minnesota | $212,380 | 890 |
| Delaware | $211,340 | 250 |
| Rhode Island | $210,230 | 220 |
| Ohio | $210,130 | 3,070 |
| Washington | $209,780 | 640 |
| Hawaii | $208,620 | 400 |
| Maryland | $208,160 | 510 |
| Illinois | $207,740 | 1,340 |
| Colorado | $205,310 | 400 |
| Indiana | $202,420 | 970 |
| Alabama | $202,330 | 330 |
| South Carolina | $201,990 | 320 |
| North Carolina | $201,400 | 1,110 |
| Florida | $195,100 | 940 |
| Kansas | $194,810 | 150 |
| Utah | $194,160 | 250 |
| Virginia | $189,070 | 1,220 |
| Texas | $187,590 | 2,690 |
| Nebraska | $186,680 | 410 |
| Vermont | $184,450 | 140 |
| Michigan | $182,040 | 770 |
| Oregon | $181,990 | 800 |
| West Virginia | $181,410 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $176,150 | 910 |
| New Jersey | $171,380 | 730 |
| Georgia | $162,290 | 850 |
| New York | $155,570 | 5,680 |
| District of Columbia | $147,060 | N/A |
| Arkansas | $74,890 | 200 |
State median wages for pediatricians, general (SOC 29-1221), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for pediatricians
The BLS projects employment of pediatricians to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 42,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 42,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,000 openings a year for pediatricians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a pediatrician
The typical entry-level education for pediatricians is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a pediatrician earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $239,200+) and the lowest (Arkansas, $74,890) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 42,960 people work as pediatricians in the United States. At $210,130 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Pediatrician salary FAQ
How much does a pediatrician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a pediatrician is $101.03. The middle half of pediatricians earn between $76.69 and $115.00+ per hour.
What is the highest pediatrician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of pediatricians earn more than $239,200+ per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a pediatrician make a year?
The median annual salary for a pediatrician is $210,130. The average (mean) wage of $222,340 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a pediatrician a well paid job?
At $210,130 a year, a pediatrician earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 42,960 people work as pediatricians in the United States.
Which state pays pediatricians the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for pediatricians at $239,200+ a year. California ($239,200+) and Iowa ($239,200+) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a pediatrician a good career?
Employment of pediatricians is projected to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a pediatrician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for pediatricians as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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