How Much Money Does a Pediatrician Make?

Pediatricians work with a group of patients who are inherently vulnerable: children. Just like other physicians, pediatricians complete extensive medical training prior to actually becoming licensed. However, knowledge of medicine is only one part of the picture when it comes to treating children. Pediatricians must be able to communicate with both parents and children, and be aware of both the developmental and social issues faced by children at various stages of life. In some cases, in addition to being a physician, a pediatrician acts as a child advocate. Becoming a pediatrician can be an incredibly rewarding choice for physicians who want to work closely with families to make a difference in the lives of children. And, since healthy kids are more likely to grow into healthy adults, pediatricians are in a unique position to have a positive impact on people from an early age. As aspiring doctors consider different specialties, pediatrics may be an attractive option. Working with children can be fulfilling, but many other specialties are also rewarding. Weighing career options (and medical school debt) will inevitably raise the question, "How much money does a pediatrician make?"

Yearly Salary for Pediatrician

To answer the question, "how much money does a pediatrician make," we can turn to PayScale's data from physician salary surveys. Looking at the Yearly Salary for Pediatrician by State shows that California has the highest pediatrician salaries. However, measuring Pediatrician Average Salary by City reveals that pediatrician's salaries are higher in Atlanta than in many other cities, including San Diego. In fact, the yearly salary for pediatricians in Atlanta is significantly higher than the yearly salary for pediatrician in San Diego. Given the cost of living difference between the two cities, pediatricians based in Los Angeles might want to consider relocating; PayScale's cost of living calculator shows that the cost of housing alone is 57 percent lower in Atlanta. If you're considering a move, use the calculator to research Cost of Living Data and Pediatricians' Salaries in these and other cities.

Regardless of where one decides to live and work, like other medical salaries, the yearly salary for pediatricians will increase throughout a physician's career. First-hand experience is extremely valuable when it comes to practicing medicine; it stands to reason that a pediatrician average salary would increase with greater experience. When researching physician salaries, it's a valid question to ask, "how much does a pediatrician make after establishing a practice?" The Pediatrician Salary by Years Experience chart shows the biggest jump in pediatrician average salary after about five years of experience, with salaries continuing to increase gradually over time.

Pediatrician Average Salary

PayScale's own Dr. Salary can't prescribe medicine, but he can give you salary advice. Do you know why asking, "what is the median yearly salary for pediatricians" is a better question than, "what is a pediatrician average salary?" Find out by reading his article, "Why is Median Better than Mean for a Typical Salary?"