SOC 29-1221 · May 2024
Pediatrician Salary
Average Pediatrician pay climbed from $184,410 in 2019 to $222,340 in 2024 — a +20.6% change in 5 years.
Median annual
$210,130
Half of all Pediatricians in the United States earn more than this figure, half earn less. From the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024 release.
Wage trend
+20.6% since 2019 · +8.0% YoY
Hourly
$106.89
Outlook
—
US workers
42,960
BLS series
Annual median wage for Pediatricians, General in All Industries in the United States
Salary range
From entry to top decile
The 10th-to-90th percentile spread for Pediatricians is $96,240 – —.
Percentile distribution
USD · annual
10th
$96,240
25th
$159,510
Median
$210,130
75th
—
90th
—
By experience level
What each tenure band earns
By experience level
Estimated from BLS percentile distribution. Actual progression varies by employer and region.
| Pediatrician level | Tenure | Estimated salary | BLS reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry level | First 0–2 years | $96,240 | 10th percentile |
| Early career | 2–5 years | $159,510 | 25th percentile |
| Mid-career | 5–10 years | $210,130 | Median |
| Experienced | 10+ years | — | 75th percentile |
| Senior / leadership | Top 10% | — | 90th percentile |
Geography
Pediatrician pay by state
State-level OEWS data lands in Phase 2. The grid below shows national geography ready for that ingest — hover any state for context.
National median
$210,130
Tile-grid layout · 50 states + D.C. · area-uniform, not geographic. State pay differentials populate after Phase 2 OEWS state ingest.
What affects this salary
Pay drivers for Pediatricians
Pediatricians, general (BLS SOC 29-1221) diagnose, treat, and help prevent children's diseases and injuries. The role requires an MD or DO degree plus a 3-year residency in pediatrics, board certification, and state licensure. Subspecialty pediatricians (pediatric cardiology, pediatric oncology) report under separate SOCs and typically earn substantially more than general pediatricians.
The 10th-to-90th percentile spread is $96,240 – —. That gap reflects experience, certification, employer type, geographic cost of living, and shift differentials where applicable.
Geography matters. Metropolitan areas in California, New York, Massachusetts, and Washington tend to pay above the national median. Rural and lower-cost states often pay below — though cost-of-living adjustment narrows the real difference.
Credentials compound. Additional certifications, specializations, or advanced degrees consistently push earnings into the 75th and 90th percentile bands. Employer type (hospital vs. private practice, public vs. private sector) also drives meaningful pay variation.
Frequently asked
Questions readers ask
Frequently asked
What is the average Pediatrician salary in the US?
How much does a Pediatrician make per hour?
What does a Pediatrician earn at the entry level?
What is the highest salary a Pediatrician can earn?
Is the mean Pediatrician salary higher than the median?
How many Pediatricians work in the US?
Open positions
Open Pediatrician roles hiring now
Browse current Pediatrician listings on Indeed and ZipRecruiter — filtered to your role.
Source & methodology
Wage and employment figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2024 release. Standard Occupational Classification: 29-1221. Figures represent the national median, mean, and percentile distribution across all employers and industries. Hourly equivalents assume a 2,080-hour work year. Read our methodology for details on how the data is sourced, transformed, and refreshed.