What Is the Pay Scale of a Pediatric Doctor?
If you develop amedical problem, your first line of defense is a visit to your family doctor or general practitioner, who may then recommend a specialist. However, though he may be able to treat children and teenagers, you may want to have your children see a pediatric doctor, who specializes in younger patients. Because the professions of any doctor involve matters of life and death, and require many years of education and training, society rewards them with high rates of pay.
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Description
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A pediatric doctor or general pediatrician takes care of babies, children, teenagers and occasionally young adults. They specialize in conditions related to young people and can also track their growth. Among their day-to-day concerns are infectious childhood diseases, minor injuries and vaccinations. Pediatric doctors can also specialize in serious conditions like autoimmune disorders.
Experience
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Salaries for pediatric doctors can vary by experience. According to PayScale as of March 2010, those with one to four years under their belts can earn $76,266 to $130,576 per year. Those with five to nine years earn $86,894 to $165,043. Finally, those with 10 to 19 years are paid $117,350 to $180,600.
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Location
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Location can affect average salaries for pediatric doctors. According to PayScale, those in California earn $103,918 to $152,101, while those in Florida show the greatest range at $65,730 to $215,630. Pediatricians in New York make $89,000 to $153,391, while those in New Jersey get $99,750 to $146,939. In Texas, they earn $98,722 to $169,885 while in Illinois they are paid $105,000 to $162,770.
Employer
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The employer can also affect the pay scale. According to PayScale, those who work for hospitals average $71,637 to $149,868, whereas private practices pay $103,391 to $150,273. Pediatricians in a non-profit organization earn $81,951 to $159,416, while those at a college or university make $83,576 to $162,627. Finally, those in state and local government are paid $91,563 to $186,701.
Hospital Size
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For those working in hospital settings, the number of beds (hospital size) can affect reimbursement. Those hospitals with less than 50 beds show the highest pay scales at $106,872 to $213,542. For 50 to 99 beds, the range is $78,359 to $162,500, and for 100 to 299 beds, the range is $86,476 to $167,471. Hospitals with 300 to 499 beds compensate pediatric doctors at $50,239 to $174,979.
Outlook
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for all doctors is excellent, with job growth projected at 22 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is faster than average for all occupations. However, the rising cost of healthcare may afect this opportunity as patients gravitate toward less expensive physician assistants and nurse practitioners in order to save money. Lower health insurance reimbursement may also force less demand for doctor services.
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References
- Photo Credit happy baby image by Leticia Wilson from Fotolia.com
