What Does A Pediatrician Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Pediatricians

Pediatricians diagnose, treat, and help prevent children's diseases and injuries.

Salary
$184570
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Doctoral degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match


What they do

Pediatricians diagnose, treat, and help prevent children's diseases and injuries.

  • 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.
  • Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical history, reports, or examination results.
  • Prescribe or administer treatment, therapy, medication, vaccination, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury in infants and children.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Pediatricians treat children who have minor illnesses, acute and chronic health problems, and growth and development concerns. They prescribe or administer treatment, therapy, medication, vaccination, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury in infants and children.

A typical day for a Pediatrician will also include:

  • Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical history, reports, or examination results.
  • Examine patients or order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests to obtain information on the medical conditions and determine the diagnosis.
  • Examine children regularly to assess their growth and development.
  • Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients and parents or guardians.
  • Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, students, assistants, specialists, therapists, and other medical staff.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Pediatricians also operate on patients to remove, repair, or improve the functioning of diseased or injured body parts and systems. They may also provide consulting services to other physicians.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Pediatricians refer patients to medical specialists or other practitioners when necessary. They might also prepare government or organizational reports of birth, death, and disease statistics, workforce evaluations, or medical status of individuals.

In addition, they plan, implement, or administer health programs or standards in hospitals, businesses, or communities for the prevention or treatment of injury or illness.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them plan and execute medical care programs to aid in the mental and physical growth and development of children and adolescents.

To some Pediatricians, it is also their responsibility to monitor patients’ conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Very High

Is this job meaningful

Very High

89% said they were satisfied with their job and 88% said they found their job meaningful.


Progressive Pediatrics

My typical day A typical day for me as a practicing pediatrician starts by coming into the office about an hour before seeing patients. During that hour I review labs and talk to patients about the lab results. I also spend some time in the morning finishing my charts from the day before. Charting takes … Read More


Brave Care

I’m the Chief Medical Officer and Lead Pediatrician for Brave Care, a modern primary and urgent care center for kids based out of Portland, Oregon. My day at work looks like a combination of in-person urgent care visits, combined with telemedicine care; both during standard hours and after hours. The tasks which take up most … Read More


I was in a group private practice for about 10 years. The schedule was four full days, one evening and one Saturday morning per month. We were on call about one week out of four. I saw about 30 to 40 families per day. Most practicing pediatricians have responsibilities in three areas, taking calls, doing … Read More


Several clinical settings such as solo practice, group practice, and community health centers

I have worked as a pediatrician in several clinical settings such as solo practice, group practice, and community health centers. I have also taught medical students and resident physicians in a pediatric clinic. Work can be challenging, especially in solo practice. Hours can be long, but the rewards are many. There is great satisfaction in … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.

Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

Demand for this career is growing very fast.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.

It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skills, knowledge, and experience are required for this career.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$184570 per year

Average hourly wage

$89 per hour

Entry-level Pediatricians with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $69,470 to $126,930 per year or $33 to $61 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $208,000+ $100+
Senior (Top 25%) $208,000+ $100+
Median $177,130 $85
Junior (Bottom 25%) $126,930 $61
No experience (Bottom 10%) $69,470 $33

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Pediatricians based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Offices of Other Health Practitioners $209490 $100.72
Outpatient Care Centers $207560 $99.79
Local Government $198940 $95.65
Management of Companies and Enterprises $197090 $94.75
Offices of Physicians $191770 $92.20
Specialty Hospitals $180120 $86.59
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals $169090 $81.29
Other Residential Care Facilities $139030 $66.84
Other Ambulatory Health Care Services $131230 $63.09
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools $93950 $45.17

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Pediatricians work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Pediatricians including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Offices of Physicians 18180 $191770 $92.20
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 6850 $169090 $81.29
Outpatient Care Centers 1260 $207560 $99.79
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 470 $93950 $45.17
Specialty Hospitals 220 $180120 $86.59
Other Ambulatory Health Care Services 170 $131230 $63.09
Other Residential Care Facilities 80 $139030 $66.84
Management of Companies and Enterprises 70 $197090 $94.75
Employment Services 60 $ $*
Local Government 50 $198940 $95.65

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
0%

40 hours
24%

More than 40 hours
76%

Working schedule

85%

15%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
11%

Every day
66%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
4%

Every day
96%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
91%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
41%

Once a year
34%

Once a month
10%

Once a week
7%

Every day
8%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
15%

Slightly competitive
19%

Moderately competitive
26%

Highly competitive
25%

Extremely competitive
15%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
14%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
86%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
92%

Once a year or more
8%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
97%

Once a year or more
3%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
100%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Very Hard
You will need an extensive amount of skill, knowledge, and experience. Careers in this difficulty category usually require graduate school and more than five years of experience. These careers usually involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Similar careers include Pharmacists, Lawyers, Astronomers, Neurologists, and Veterinarians.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
0%

High School Diploma or equivalent
0%

Post-Secondary Certificate
0%

Some College Courses
0%

Associate’s Degree or similar
9%

Bachelor’s Degree
0%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
2%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
9%

Doctoral Degree
66%

Post-Doctoral Training
13%

Relevant majors

Pediatric Radiology Fellowship Program

A fellowship training program that prepares physicians in all forms of diagnostic imaging as it pertains to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the newborn, infant, child, and adolescent. Requires prior completion of a residency program in diagnostic radiology.

Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Fellowship Program

A fellowship training program that prepares physicians to use an interdisciplinary approach to prevent, diagnose, treat, and manage congenital and childhood-onset physical impairments in children and young adults, including related medical, physical, functional, psychosocial, and vocational limitations or conditions. Requires prior completion of a residency program in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program

A fellowship training program that prepares physicians in the diagnosis and management of diseases and disorders of the cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary systems of infants, children, and adolescents. Includes instruction in related public health and community medicine issues. Requires prior completion of a residency program in pediatrics.


Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Program

A fellowship training program that prepares physicians in the physiology of the normal neonate, the pathophysiology of the sick infant, and the diagnosis and management of problems of the newborn infant, including consulting with obstetricians to plan for the care of women with high-risk pregnancies. Requires prior completion of a residency program in pediatrics.

Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship Program

A fellowship training program that prepares physicians to assist in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of developmental difficulties and problematic behaviors in children, and in the family dysfunctions that compromise children's development; and to foster understanding and promotion of optimal development of children and families through research, education, clinical care, and advocacy efforts. Requires prior completion of a residency program in pediatrics.

Child Abuse Pediatrics Fellowship Program

A fellowship training program that prepares physicians to accurately diagnose abuse, consult with community agencies on child safety, provide expertise in courts of law, treat consequences of abuse and neglect, direct child abuse and neglect prevention programs and participate on multidisciplinary investigative teams, and manage child abuse cases. Requires prior completion of a residency program in pediatrics.


Adolescent Medicine Fellowship Program

A fellowship training program that prepares physicians in the unique physical, psychological, and social characteristics of adolescents and their healthcare problems and needs. Requires prior completion of a residency program in family medicine, internal medicine, or pediatrics.

Pediatrics Residency Program

A residency training program that prepares physicians in the comprehensive care and treatment of all aspects of human growth and development from conception through fetal life, infancy, childhood and adolescence, including preventive and therapeutic regimes. Includes instruction in behavioral aspects of illness, related family and community medicine issues, and emergency and critical care procedures.

Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship Program

A fellowship training program that prepares physicians to manage emergencies in infants and children. Requires prior completion of a residency program in emergency medicine or pediatrics.


Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program

A fellowship training program that prepares physicians in the diagnosis and management of hematologic disorders and malignant diseases, including blood and bone marrow function, in infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Requires prior completion of a residency program in pediatrics.

Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship Program

A fellowship training program that prepares physicians in the prevention and treatment of all respiratory diseases affecting infants, children, and young adults, based on knowledge of the growth and development of the lung, assessment of respiratory function in infants and children, and experience in a variety of invasive and noninvasive diagnostic techniques. Requires prior completion of a residency program in pediatrics.

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program

A fellowship training program that prepares physicians in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases in children; and to effect a better outcome for pediatric infections with complicated courses, underlying diseases that predispose to unusual or severe infections, unclear diagnoses, uncommon diseases, and complex or investigational treatments. Requires prior completion of a residency program in pediatrics.


Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship Program

A fellowship training program that prepares physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive systems of infants, children, and adolescents; includes treatment of conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice, and performance of complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using lighted scopes to see internal organs. Requires prior completion of a residency program in pediatrics.

Pediatric Nephrology Fellowship Program

A fellowship training program that prepares physicians in the diagnosis and management of infants, children, and adolescents with renal and genito-urinary problems, hypertension and disorders of body fluid physiology. Requires prior completion of a residency program in pediatrics.

Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Program

A fellowship training program that prepares physicians in the diagnosis and management of endocrine diseases and the regulation of hormone balance in childhood and adolescence. Requires prior completion of a residency program in pediatrics.


Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
10%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
9%

6 months to 1 year
3%

1 to 2 years
0%

2 to 4 years
49%

4 to 6 years
12%

6 to 8 years
8%

8 to 10 years
9%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
22%

1 month
22%

1 to 3 months
11%

3 to 6 months
20%

6 months to 1 year
0%

1 to 2 years
0%

2 to 4 years
14%

4 to 10 years
10%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Thinker

People with this personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.

The Builder
48%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
100%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
38%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
86%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
33%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
43%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
95%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
86%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
95%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
95%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
67%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
90%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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