Two out of three pediatricians in America are now women, marking a remarkable shift in a field that is not only graying but also navigating a looming workforce shortage, significant salary gaps, and a relentless administrative burden—all while delivering vital care to our children.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, 65.4% of active pediatricians in the United States were female, marking a significant increase from 27% in 1970
- The median age of pediatricians in the US was 51 years in 2021, with 32% over the age of 60
- Approximately 12.5% of US pediatricians identified as Hispanic or Latino in 2023, compared to 6.2% in 2008
- 68% of pediatricians completed residency in 3 years, with 25% pursuing fellowships
- Average medical school debt for pediatricians entering practice in 2022 was $203,000
- 92% of pediatricians hold MD degrees, 8% DO in 2023
- US pediatricians numbered 52,000 active in 2022, projected to grow 3% by 2030
- 61% of pediatricians worked in group practices in 2023, 22% solo, 17% hospital-employed
- Average workweek for pediatricians was 47 hours in 2022, with 25% working over 60 hours
- Median annual salary for pediatricians was $198,420 in 2022 BLS data
- Pediatric subspecialists earned median $250,000 in 2023, vs $180,000 for generalists
- Bonuses averaged 12% of base salary for pediatricians in 2022 MGMA survey
- General pediatricians saw average 1,200 well-child visits per year in 2022
- 85% of pediatricians administered vaccines in-office, covering 95% of schedule in 2023
- Average patient panel size for pediatricians was 1,050 children in primary care 2022
The pediatric workforce is aging while becoming more diverse and predominantly female.
Clinical Practice and Patient Outcomes
- General pediatricians saw average 1,200 well-child visits per year in 2022
- 85% of pediatricians administered vaccines in-office, covering 95% of schedule in 2023
- Average patient panel size for pediatricians was 1,050 children in primary care 2022
- Pediatric hospitalization rates dropped 15% from 2019-2022 due to preventive care
- 72% of pediatricians used EHR systems with satisfaction rate of 68% in 2023
- Antibiotic stewardship adherence by pediatricians reached 82% in outpatient settings 2022
- Mental health screening rates in pediatric primary care hit 55% in 2023 AAP survey
- Newborn circumcision rates performed by pediatricians averaged 58% in 2021
- 91% immunization coverage for MMR among pediatric patients in 2022 practices
- Average length of pediatric well-visit was 20.5 minutes in 2023 time-motion study
- 67% of pediatricians managed chronic conditions like asthma in 40% of visits 2022
- Patient satisfaction scores for pediatricians averaged 4.7/5 on Press Ganey 2023
- Obesity screening rates by pediatricians reached 79% in 2022 primary care
- 88% of pediatricians followed AAP car seat guidelines in counseling 2023
- Acute respiratory infection visits comprised 28% of pediatric caseload in 2021
- Follow-up visit adherence post-hospitalization was 92% in tracked cohorts 2022
- 76% of pediatricians incorporated social determinants screening in 2023
- Developmental screening at 9,18,24 months hit 65% compliance 2022
- HPV vaccination initiation rates by age 11-12 averaged 62% in pediatric practices 2023
- Emergency department referrals from pediatricians dropped 12% with better access 2022
- Chronic illness management visits were 35% of total outpatient encounters 2023
- Patient no-show rates for pediatric appointments averaged 8.2% in 2022
Clinical Practice and Patient Outcomes Interpretation
General pediatricians, while managing a small army of over a thousand young charges for just twenty minutes at a time, are nonetheless orchestrating a minor public health miracle by vaccinating the vast majority, slashing hospitalizations through prevention, and increasingly tackling everything from mental health to social determinants, all while maintaining nearly perfect patient satisfaction—proving that well-child visits are the stealth bombers of modern medicine.
Compensation and Salary
- Median annual salary for pediatricians was $198,420 in 2022 BLS data
- Pediatric subspecialists earned median $250,000 in 2023, vs $180,000 for generalists
- Bonuses averaged 12% of base salary for pediatricians in 2022 MGMA survey
- Female pediatricians earned 92 cents per dollar of male counterparts in 2023 Doximity report
- Northeast pediatricians median salary $215,000, South $185,000 in 2022
- Production incentives comprised 18% of total pediatrician pay in private practice 2023
- Mid-career pediatricians (10-19 years experience) averaged $210,000 salary in 2022
- Hospital-employed pediatricians received average $25,000 signing bonus in 2023
- Pediatricians in academia earned 15% less than private sector at $170,000 median 2022
- Average RVU productivity for pediatricians was 4,200 annually in 2023 MGMA data
- Entry-level pediatrician salary averaged $185,000 in 2023
- RVU-based pay models used by 55% of pediatric practices in 2022
- CME allowance averaged $3,200 per pediatrician annually 2023
- Male pediatricians in subspecialties earned $275,000 median vs females $240,000 2022
- West Coast pediatric salaries highest at $212,000 median 2023 Salary.com
- Relocation bonuses for pediatricians averaged $18,000 in 2022
- Academic pediatricians saw 8% salary increase in 2023
- Net collections per pediatrician averaged $450,000 in group practices 2022 MGMA
- Pension contributions matched 5.5% of salary for employed pediatricians 2023
- Top 10% pediatrician earners made over $300,000 annually in 2022 BLS
Compensation and Salary Interpretation
A pediatrician’s career path is a calculated navigation of location, specialty, and practice model, where choosing academia over private practice is like trading a yacht for a rowboat, subspecialties offer a golden ticket out of generalist pay, and the pay gap stubbornly hangs around like an uninvited cootie.
Demographics
- In 2022, 65.4% of active pediatricians in the United States were female, marking a significant increase from 27% in 1970
- The median age of pediatricians in the US was 51 years in 2021, with 32% over the age of 60
- Approximately 12.5% of US pediatricians identified as Hispanic or Latino in 2023, compared to 6.2% in 2008
- In 2020, 56% of pediatricians were White non-Hispanic, 19% Asian, 5% Black, and 4% other races
- Urban areas accounted for 78% of pediatricians in 2022, while rural areas had only 8%
- 22% of pediatricians in 2021 were international medical graduates (IMGs)
- In 2023, 41% of pediatricians under 40 were male, dropping to 28% for those aged 40-59
- 7.3% of pediatricians reported disabilities in 2022 survey
- Pediatricians in the Northeast US comprised 28% of the total workforce in 2021
- 15% of pediatricians were parents to children under 18 in 2020, higher among females at 18%
- In 2022, 58.2% of pediatricians were board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics
- Asian pediatricians made up 21.4% of the workforce in urban areas in 2021
- 9.1% of pediatricians were Black/African American in 2023 AAMC data
- Pediatricians aged 30-39 comprised 29% of active physicians in 2022
- 82% of pediatricians practiced within 50 miles of their residency training site in 2021
- LGBTQ+ identification among pediatricians was 6.5% in 2022 surveys
- South region hosted 35% of US pediatricians in 2023
- 19% of pediatricians had military service background in 2020 VA data
- Married pediatricians accounted for 78% of the workforce in 2021 AMA survey
- Pediatricians with children averaged 2.1 kids per household in 2022
Demographics Interpretation
The field of pediatrics has transformed into a profession that is now overwhelmingly female, increasingly diverse yet still unevenly distributed, and one where seasoned experience is common, as over half of its doctors are over fifty, yet it still struggles to achieve truly representative care in every community it serves.
Education and Training
- 68% of pediatricians completed residency in 3 years, with 25% pursuing fellowships
- Average medical school debt for pediatricians entering practice in 2022 was $203,000
- 92% of pediatricians hold MD degrees, 8% DO in 2023
- Board certification rate among pediatricians was 89.5% in 2021
- Average residency training hours per week for pediatricians was 59.2 hours in 2022
- 14% of pediatricians completed MPH degrees alongside MD in 2020
- Fellowship training in subspecialties took an average of 3.2 additional years post-residency in 2023
- 76% of pediatric residents matched into their first-choice program in 2022 NRMP data
- Cost of pediatric residency application averaged $2,500 per applicant in 2023
- 45% of pediatricians engaged in continuous medical education averaging 50 hours annually in 2021
- USMLE Step 1 pass rate for pediatric applicants was 94% in 2022
- 33% of pediatricians pursued subspecialty fellowships like neonatology in 2023
- Average undergraduate GPA for matched pediatric residents was 3.65 in 2022
- Pediatric residency programs numbered 208 accredited in US in 2023 ACGME
- 11% of pediatricians hold advanced degrees like MBA in 2021
- Maintenance of Certification (MOC) participation was 85% among pediatricians 2022
- Average time to board eligibility post-med school was 7.2 years in 2023
- Research requirement in pediatric residency averaged 200 hours per resident 2022
- Loan repayment programs aided 22% of pediatricians in training 2021 NHSC data
- Simulation training hours in residency increased to 120 annually by 2023
Education and Training Interpretation
While it may look like a dizzying sprint through a decade of sleep-deprived training—from crushing debt and board exams to marathon hours and extra degrees—these numbers quietly map the relentless, credentialed climb required to earn the trust to hold your newborn.
Employment and Workforce
- US pediatricians numbered 52,000 active in 2022, projected to grow 3% by 2030
- 61% of pediatricians worked in group practices in 2023, 22% solo, 17% hospital-employed
- Average workweek for pediatricians was 47 hours in 2022, with 25% working over 60 hours
- Pediatrician shortage projected at 5,000 by 2030 in primary care
- 35% of pediatricians reported burnout in 2023 surveys, highest in hospital settings
- Rural pediatrician vacancy rate was 18% higher than urban in 2022 HRSA data
- 28% of pediatricians changed jobs within 5 years of practice start in 2021
- Hospital-employed pediatricians grew from 20% in 2012 to 32% in 2023
- Part-time work among pediatricians reached 14% in 2022, mostly females
- Telemedicine adoption by pediatricians was 68% post-2020
- Pediatric workforce projected to need 4,500 more by 2025 AAMC
- 52% of pediatricians in private practice owned equity stakes in 2023
- Night call burden averaged 1 in 6 for general pediatricians 2022
- Job satisfaction among pediatricians was 71% in 2023 Medscape survey
- 41% of pediatricians considered early retirement by 2030 due to burnout
- Locum tenens work filled 12% of pediatrician positions in rural areas 2022
- Administrative burden took 16 hours/week for pediatricians in 2023
- 24% of pediatricians moonlighted outside primary job in 2021
- Multi-specialty group employment rose to 45% for pediatricians 2023
- Vacation days averaged 4.2 weeks/year for pediatricians 2022
Employment and Workforce Interpretation
Despite a comforting 3% growth forecast, the American pediatrician is a paradox of high satisfaction and high burnout, working marathon weeks while the system simultaneously begs for more of them and pushes them toward part-time work, hospital employment, or early retirement—all while trying to remember where they left those four vacation weeks.
Sources & References
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