Career Overview
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries in children. May refer patients to specialists for further diagnosis or treatment, as needed.
Also Known As
- General Pediatrician
- Group Practice Pediatrician
- Medical Doctor (MD)
- Physician
Alternate Job Titles
- Baby Doctor
- Developmental Pediatrician
- Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician
- DO Physician (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Physician)
- Doctor
- Emergency Room Pediatrician (ER Pediatrician)
- General Pediatrician
- Group Practice Pediatrician
- Internal Medicine Pediatrician
- Medical Doctor (MD)
- Medical Pediatric Physician
- Neonatal Doctor
- Neonatologist
- Outpatient Pediatrician
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Prescribe or administer treatment, therapy, medication, vaccination, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury in infants and children.
- 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.
- Examine patients or order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests to obtain information on medical condition and determine diagnosis.
- Advise patients, parents or guardians, and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention.
- Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients and parents or guardians.
- Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical history, reports, or examination results.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Therapy and Counseling
- Biology
- Psychology
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Science
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Written Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Speech Recognition
- Speech Clarity
- Near Vision
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Empathy
- Cooperation
- Cautiousness
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Relationships
- Independence
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Epic Systems
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Access
Tools & Equipment
- Air-oxygen blenders
- Arterial line catheters
- Auditory testing equipment
- Automated external defibrillators AED
- Baby scales
- Blood collection syringes
- Capnographs
- Cervical collars
- Child oxygen masks
- Child sized blood pressure equipment
- Cord clamps
- Curved forceps
- Dermal curettes
- Desktop computers
- Dressing forceps
Work Environment
- Exposed to Disease or Infections
- Contact With Others
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $96,240 |
| Median | $210,130 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | >$239,200 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 42,960
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Pediatric Surgeons
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
General Internal Medicine Physicians
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: $236,350
Family Medicine Physicians
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $238,380
Emergency Medicine Physicians
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: >$239,200
Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: >$239,200
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.