The Promising Job Outlook for Pediatricians

If you love working with children and envision a career where you can make a difference in their lives becoming a pediatrician may be the right choice for you. As a pediatrician you get to be on the frontlines of child health, diagnosing and treating illnesses, monitoring growth and development, and giving kids a healthy start from infancy into their teen years.

Fortunately, the job outlook for pediatricians is very bright. The demand for pediatricians is growing steadily, and it’s one of the higher paying medical specialties. While becoming a pediatrician requires many years of education and training, it’s a rewarding career path that allows you to enact positive change in your community.

In this article, we’ll explore what it’s like working as a pediatrician, the job duties, educational requirements, work environment, salary potential, and future job growth. After reading, you’ll have a solid understanding of what to expect in this pediatrician job outlook.

What is a Pediatrician?

A pediatrician is a doctor who specializes in the healthcare of infants children, and teenagers. From birth through age 21 pediatricians provide preventive care and treat illnesses in kids of all ages.

Pediatricians are considered primary care physicians. They often serve as a child’s main doctor through the first two decades of life. Many parents seek out a pediatrician right after their baby is born for regular well-child visits, vaccines, and any medical issues that crop up.

Unlike adult physicians, pediatricians are trained to examine, diagnose and treat children of all developmental stages They have expertise in childhood diseases, behavioral issues, and supporting a child’s healthy growth Pediatricians also provide a lot of guidance to parents regarding nutrition, safety, and milestones.

Some of the duties pediatricians are responsible for include:

• Conducting physical exams on infants, children and teens
• Monitoring growth and development milestones
• Providing immunizations
• Diagnosing and treating childhood illnesses and injuries
• Managing chronic health conditions like asthma, ADHD, or diabetes
• Promoting proper nutrition and exercise
• Performing screening tests for vision, hearing, and developmental issues
• Educating parents and children on health and wellness topics
• Referring patients to specialists or therapists as needed

Pediatricians get to work closely with kids from diverse backgrounds. Their goal is to give every child the best chance at physical, behavioral, and emotional health as they grow. It’s a meaningful career where you can positively impact entire families.

Educational Requirements to Become a Pediatrician

The path to becoming a pediatrician is extensive, usually taking around 11-14 years after high school graduation. It includes:

• Earning a bachelor’s degree – While any major is acceptable, students often choose biology, chemistry, child development, or health science. Coursework emphasizes math and science prerequisites.

• Completing medical school – Pediatricians must complete 4 years of medical school and earn their MD. The first two years focus on classroom instruction and lab work. The last two years involve clinical rotations under supervision of licensed doctors.

• Finishing a residency – Aspiring pediatricians enter a 3-year pediatric residency program to gain hands-on training. They rotate through various pediatric settings while managing actual patients.

• Earning board certification – After residency, pediatricians become board certified in general pediatrics by passing exams from the American Board of Pediatrics. This may require an additional 3-year pediatric subspecialty residency.

As you can see, pediatricians undergo a minimum of 11 years post-secondary education. Many also complete 1-3 year pediatric specialty fellowships to pursue subspecialties like neonatology, pediatric surgery, or pediatric oncology. It’s a long road, but ultimately very fulfilling for those dedicated to caring for children’s wellbeing.

Work Environment for Pediatricians

There are several settings where pediatricians might work:

Private pediatric practice – Many pediatricians work in private outpatient clinics focused on well-child and preventive care. Within a group practice, pediatricians often collaborate with other providers like nurses, physician assistants, social workers, and office staff. They may also partner with schools or daycares.

Hospital settings – Pediatricians treat sick children who are admitted to general hospitals or pediatric specialty hospitals. They diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans, and consult with surgeons when necessary. Hospitalists provide inpatient care while specialists handle more complex cases.

Community health centers – Pediatricians are also employed by community clinics to increase access to care for underserved youth. They serve low-income families on Medicaid/CHIP who can’t afford private practices.

Academia – Academic pediatricians teach at medical schools while also conducting pediatric research studies. They train medical students and supervise residents in addition to caring for patients.

No matter the setting, pediatricians often enjoy close working relationships with fellow pediatricians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals focused on children’s wellbeing. The work environment is typically fast-paced as pediatricians juggle appointments, procedures, paperwork, and communications with parents and schools. But it’s also very rewarding to play such an integral role in the health of the community’s children.

Average Salary for Pediatricians

Pediatricians earn a lucrative salary, especially considering the meaningful nature of their work. Here are some key points on pediatrician pay:

• The average salary for pediatricians is $204,000 per year according to salary data from Job Bank USA.

• Pay typically starts around $120,000 – $180,000 for new pediatricians and increases with experience and credentials.

• Pediatric specialists like pediatric surgeons average $400,000 while pediatric hospitalists average around $230,000 annually.

• Location greatly impacts pay. Pediatricians earn the highest salaries in the Northeast and West coast states.

• Those employed by hospitals and medical centers make more than pediatricians in private practice. But practice owners can earn even higher profits.

• Subspecialists who undergo extra training tend to have greater earning potential than general pediatricians.

Overall, pediatricians are well-compensated for their services. While pay varies based on setting, location, and credentials, they are firmly situated in the six-figure income bracket. Given the comprehensive education and clinical skills required, most pediatricians feel satisfied with their salaries.

Job Outlook for Pediatricians

The job growth outlook for pediatricians is very strong. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of pediatricians is projected to grow 8% from 2021 to 2031. This is much faster than the 4% average growth rate forecasted for all occupations.

There are a few reasons for the increased demand:

• Rising birth rates – With Millennials starting families, the number of births is rising nationwide after a brief decline. More babies equals more need for pediatric care.

• Increased access to insurance – Changes to healthcare law have given more children access to Medicaid and CHIP. This boosts insurance coverage rates among pediatric patients.

• Focus on preventive care – Efforts to improve children’s health through regular well visits increases the need for pediatricians. Many parents prioritize finding a pediatrician right after birth.

• Shortage of providers – A limited number of medical students choose to pursue pediatrics. This contributes to a shortage of pediatricians in certain communities.

• Rising chronic conditions – Chronic health issues like asthma, obesity, and behavioral conditions are increasing among the pediatric population. This necessitates more long-term treatment.

While the future looks bright for pediatricians job-wise, it’s still a competitive field. Those who complete a pediatric residency and earn glowing recommendations are most marketable. Willingness to work in underserved, rural areas also enhances job prospects after graduation. Overall, dedicated students shouldn’t have major obstacles finding a pediatrics job.

Rewarding Aspects of Being a Pediatrician

Why do many doctors choose to specialize in pediatrics? There are so many fulfilling aspects of the job:

• Forming meaningful relationships – Pediatricians often follow children for many years, allowing them to establish close doctor-patient relationships over time.

• Making a difference – By providing quality care, pediatricians can have a profound impact on children’s lives. It’s very gratifying.

• Watching kids grow – Getting to be part of a child’s growth journey from birth through the teen years is incredibly rewarding.

• Solving mysteries – Diagnosing tricky conditions in kids who can’t verbalize symptoms can be intellectually stimulating.

• Focusing on prevention – Pediatricians get to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent issues before they arise.

• Enjoying pediatric personalities – Most pediatricians are motivated by simply enjoying working with infants, kids, and teens. They find it entertaining!

• Interacting with families – Pediatrics offers the chance to positively influence entire families.

• Gaining community respect – Pediatricians are valued for the knowledge and care they provide to local youth.

There’s really no other career quite like pediatrics. The ability to watch kids thrive, grow, and stay healthy under your care is incredibly gratifying. While the path has challenges, most pediatricians feel it’s immensely worth