How Much Do Pediatricians Make When They Start?
Pediatricians are medical doctors or doctors of osteopathy who specialize in the health of babies, children and teenagers. Employment outlook for pediatricians, as for other doctors, should be very good through at least 2018, as noted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rural and low-income areas in particular have many job opportunities, although salaries generally are lower there. Incomes of physicians, including pediatricians, are among the highest of any career.
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Job Features
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As health care specialists for youth, pediatricians diagnose illness, evaluate injuries, prescribe medication and administer treatment to this population. They also provide vaccinations and advice to parents on other preventive measures. Pediatricians must be aware of the more common health problems and the developmental and social issues of their patients, and be able to communicate well with both parents and their children. Some pediatricians specialize in surgery or serious health disorders.
Starting Salary
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To become a pediatrician, an individual needs to complete an undergraduate degree, four years of medical school and at least three years of residency. All states and the District of Columbia require physicians, including pediatricians, to be licensed. The median starting salary range for pediatricians as of December 2010 is $94,000 to $132,000, according to the PayScale salary survey website.
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Salary Range
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Average salary for pediatricians as of May 2009 was $77.60 per hour, or about $161,400 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bottom 10 percent of pediatricians on the earnings scale were making less than $84,900 per year, which may reflect starting salaries. Those in the middle 50 percent had incomes of $100,000 to $143,000 as of December 2010, indicates PayScale. Average salaries for pediatricians working in hospitals in 2009 were about $159,600 annually, for those in doctors' offices $163,600 and for those in outpatient care centers $171,300. Many pediatricians also receive an annual bonus ranging from $1,900 to $15,000, and profit sharing from $3,000 to $10,300.
Considerations
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Although employment outlook for all doctors is good, income varies depending on experience and geographic location. Doctors who own or are co-owners of a medical practice usually have higher incomes, but they must buy their own health insurance and provide their own retirement plan, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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References
- Photo Credit sick child image by Renata Osinska from Fotolia.com
