← 2026 Salary Report / Pediatrics
Lowest-compensated major specialty. High satisfaction offsets lower pay. Subspecialties can significantly boost income.
Training: 3 years post-medical school | 5-Year Change: +6% | Range (25th-75th): $200,000-$310,000
General pediatricians start at $210,000-$240,000 and see modest growth to $260,000-$310,000 at mid-career. Pediatric subspecialists (cardiology, GI, pulmonology) earn $300,000-$450,000. Neonatologists earn $350,000-$450,000. The income gap between general and subspecialty pediatrics is one of the largest in medicine.
Pediatric demand is high in fast-growing Sun Belt states (Texas, Florida, Georgia). Rural areas offer 20-30% premiums but pediatric volume can be lower. Pediatric loan repayment programs are available through NHSC and several state programs.
Employed pediatricians earn $230,000-$270,000. Private practice pediatrics is challenged by low Medicaid reimbursement rates - many private practices earn similar to employed positions after overhead. Concierge pediatrics is a small but growing niche with membership fees of $100-$200/month per family.
Three highest-leverage actions: (1) Subspecialty fellowship adds $100,000-$200,000 to annual earnings (NICU, peds cardiology, peds GI are highest-paid). (2) Stack NHSC + state loan repayment for $100,000+ in debt relief. (3) Maximize Medicaid-to-commercial patient ratio - commercial pediatric reimbursement is 2-3x Medicaid rates. Use the PhysicianWealth Salary Benchmark for a personalized comparison.
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