Pediatricians, General
Also called: Baby Doctor, Developmental Pediatrician, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician, DO Physician (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Physician), Doctor, Emergency Room Pediatrician (ER Pediatrician), General Pediatrician, Group Practice Pediatrician
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries in children.
What pediatricians, general do
Typical tasks
- Prescribe or administer treatment, therapy, medication, vaccination, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury in infants and children.
- Examine children regularly to assess their growth and development.
- Treat children who have minor illnesses, acute and chronic health problems, and growth and development concerns.
- Examine patients or order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests to obtain information on medical condition and determine diagnosis.
- Advise patients, parents or guardians, and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention.
- Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients and parents or guardians.
- Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical history, reports, or examination results.
- Monitor patients' conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.
- Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, students, assistants, specialists, therapists, and other medical staff.
- Plan and execute medical care programs to aid in the mental and physical growth and development of children and adolescents.
- Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioner when necessary.
- Teach residents or medical students about pediatric topics.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Pediatricians, General salary
The median annual wage for pediatricians, general is $210,040 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $91,470 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $338,500. The mean annual wage is $212,110.
The mean hourly wage of $101.00 is 13.9× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Pediatricians, General (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $210,040 → in 3 years $229,900 → in 5 years $244,200 → in 10 years $284,000 (10-year range $244,200–$329,700). The model assumes pay growth of +3.1% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Pediatricians, General
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Pediatricians, General? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Pediatricians, General
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
The same job in Japan
| Pediatricians, General United States | 小児科医 Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Median / average pay | $210,040 | ¥15.12M ≈ $96,169 |
| Pay in 10 years (est.) | $284,000 | ¥19.50M |
| Outlook score | 57 | 70 |
| AI replacement risk | 25% Low | 34% Low |
| Workers | 39K | — |
Matched by occupation (SOC code). Yen converted at 157.25 JPY/USD for reference; Japanese figures are averages, U.S. figures are medians, and the surveys define occupations differently.
Skills, education and requirements for Pediatricians, General
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 5 — extensive preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★★★☆ Demanding (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become pediatricians, general
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as pediatricians, general
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.