Pediatricians are among those people who safeguard our nation's future by taking care of the overall health of young children. Pediatricians are responsible for dealing with the health problems of infants, children, and adolescents. The job of a pediatrician is quite challenging as one has to deal with babies and toddlers, who often cannot explain or express what distress they are experiencing. Besides, you have to be ready for long work hours, and need to have a deep understanding of child psychology, as you will be coming across different children from all walks of life. Due to the growing population, there has been continued expansion of healthcare-related industries. During coming decades too, population growth and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases in children will lead to a significant increase in the number of pediatrician jobs. Shortage of certain specialties in certain regions can result in higher salary opportunities. Salaries mentioned in the following section are average annual salaries of pediatricians, and may vary depending on expertise, location, type of employer, and years of experience. At the beginning of your career, you may not earn a very high amount. It will take some years and a lot of experience to reach a place where you can really expect to earn well. To have a better understanding, and to gain some practical knowledge and experience in this field, you can start as an assistant to a renowned, well-established pediatrician. Learn things and then move on to have your independent practice. The most influential factors that affect the salary of a pediatrician are location, experience, and specialty board certification. ▸ The average income in the first few years would be somewhere around $125,000 - $150,000. With a few years of experience, your yearly income would increase up to $200,000. Well-known pediatricians (general) who are much sought-after earn up to $400,000 annually. ▸ According to PayScale, the salary figures for entry-level pediatricians can be in the range of US $41,459 to US $104,045. Experienced pediatricians may take home $99,900 - $204,690 annually. ▸ The median salary for general pediatricians is around $163,000 (according to BLS, May 2014). However, pediatricians who are specialized in pediatric cardiology, neurology, oncology, or pediatric intensive care, and who have at least 3-4 years experience can earn up to $250K-$300K. Similarly, pediatric surgeons can earn up to $400K-$500K p.a. ▸ The BLS data shows that pediatricians working in specialty hospitals earn more than $200K annually. ▸ The top-paying states for this occupation are Montana ($236,690), Utah ($236,410), S. Dakota ($227,200), Mississippi ($224,410), and Nebraska ($207,480). ▸ Some pediatricians work part-time, some prefer teaching in medical schools, while some like to research with the help of pharmaceutical companies or research institutes. Thus, the salary depends on the time spent and type of work done too. Becoming a pediatrician is actually a long journey, and it requires patience and determination to complete the journey. ▸ The first step is to complete a four-year undergraduate course, and get a science-related BS or BA degree. ▸ The next step is to study for another four years to become a physician. ▸ Further, you need to apply for the advanced study of pediatrics. You have to complete a three-year fellowship training program. This is also known as a residency training program. On passing the examination, you get certified as an authorized pediatrician by the American Board of Pediatricians. ▸ Thus, the entire voyage of becoming a pediatrician takes almost 11 years of education (after high school) to complete! ▸ Further, you may sub-specialize in pediatric neurology, developmental-behavioral pediatrics, cardiology, transplant hepatology, orthopedic/oncological surgery, pulmonology, etc. Becoming sub-specialized requires at least two more years of residency training. ▸ There are many renowned universities in the United States offering training on pediatric services. Some of these universities are the Yale University, University of Colorado, and Baylor University. The job of a pediatrician entails several responsibilities. ▸ Pediatricians treat diseases and disorders in young children, recommend regular checkups, and make sure that the child's routine vaccinations are up-to-date. ▸ They communicate with the child in an effective way, and find out where exactly the problem lies. Then, they suggest proper treatment. ▸ A pediatrician's job description also includes communicating with the child's parents in such a way that they do not panic, rather they get a clear idea about the problem that their child is facing, and are clear about the treatment involved. ▸ Pediatricians need to maintain check-up records of patients and other important documents regarding diagnosis and test results for future reference. ▸ They plan healthcare programs for the growth and development of young children. ▸ They research extensively on various diseases in children, and find out preventive measures and possible cures for them. ▸ They consult with other physicians for difficult cases. ▸ They need to coordinate with medical assistants and nurses to arrange appointments and attend each patient properly. We hope the information presented above has given you a better idea of a pediatrician's career and salary range. With sincere efforts, experience, and knowledge in your field, you can become a successful pediatrician.