Pediatric Surgeons
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat fetal abnormalities and birth defects, diseases, and injuries in fetuses, premature and newborn infants, children, and adolescents. Includes all pediatric surgical specialties and subspecialties.
Also called: Cardiovascular Surgeon · General Surgeon · Hand Surgeon · Physician · Plastic Surgeon · Surgeon
Median pay (national)
$239,200+
$189,720–$239,200+ (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
1,050
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+1.5%
~0 openings/yr
Typical entry
Doctoral or professional degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for pediatric surgeons shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $239,200+ versus $189,720 at the bottom 10% — 1.3x. The median of $239,200+ leaves roughly 0% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +1.5% from 2024 to 2034 — slower than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 0 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 6 states with released data, New York pays the most for this role (median $239,200, 0% vs the national median), while Illinois sits lowest at $89,450 — a 167% spread for the same job title.
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What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Analyze patient's medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and examination results to verify operation's necessity and to determine best procedure.
- Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques that can improve operating procedures and outcomes.
- Consult with patient's other medical care specialists, such as cardiologist and endocrinologist, to determine if surgery is necessary.
- Describe preoperative and postoperative treatments and procedures, such as sedatives, diets, antibiotics, or preparation and treatment of the patient's operative area, to parents or guardians of the patient.
- Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, residents, and other medical staff.
- Examine fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents, and diagnose health issues to determine need for intervention, such as surgery.
- Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.
- Examine patient to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk.
- Follow established surgical techniques during the operation.
- Inform parents and guardians of child's health problems and surgical procedures through various channels, such as in-person and telecommunication systems.
Tools & technology
- Epic Systems
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Windows
- Computer imaging software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Human resources management system HRMS
- Image-guided surgery software
- Integra Radionics NeuroSight Arc
- Medical laser control software
- Practice management software PMS
- Robotic surgery software
- Three-dimensional 3D virtual surgery software