Pediatrician Salary Guide

Ever wonder how much pediatricians make? Or how does the salary for pediatricians compare across states and between perm and temp work? Follow along to learn more!

Explore our pediatrician salary guide to discover:

  • Pediatrician Salary
  • Physician Salary by State
  • How Do Pediatrician Salaries Compare Against Other Physician Specialties?
  • How Much Will Pediatricians Make in 2025?

Looking for pediatrician jobs? Check out our open pediatrician assignments nationwide.

NP salary guide

How Much Do Pediatricians Make?

The average pediatrician salary is $222,340 per year in the U.S., according to 2024 data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, pediatricians made an average total pay of $265,000 per year, according to Medscape’s 2025 “Physician Compensation Report.” 

How Much Do Locum Tenens Pediatricians Make?

Locum tenens pediatricians can make up to $125 per hour. That being said, there are many factors that impact rates including location, years of experience, and the level of demand.

If you were to extrapolate that rate over a year (at 40 hours per week), the average locum salary comes out to around $260,000. 

That means locum tenens pediatricians can make roughly 17% more than the annual mean wage as reported by the BLS. However, making direct salary comparisons can be complicated. While perm pediatricians are more likely to be salaried, locum tenens pediatricians are independent contractors earning an hourly rate, which can vary based on which assignments they take in a year. 

Furthermore, because locum tenens pediatricians are paid by the hour, the hours they work are directly reflected in their pay, while a salaried pediatricians additional hours may not be reflected in their salary.

Finally, paid time off and insurance may be reflected in the perm pediatrician salary structure, but locum tenens providers do have options when it comes to health insurance

Pediatrician Salary by State

The most recent state breakdown of pediatrician salaries comes from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS was not able to collect enough data for all 50 states, however the top 5 highest paying states for pediatricians are:

  • Louisiana
  • Alaska
  • California
  • Mississippi
  • Iowa

How Do Pediatrician Salaries Compare Against Other Physician Specialties?

Pediatricians are in the bottom half of the 29 physician specialties surveyed in Medscape’s 2025 “Physician Compensation Report.” The top five specialties (orthopedics & orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, radiology, cardiology, and gastroenterology) all reported annual income of greater than $500,000.

How Much Will Pediatricians Make in 2025?

Pediatrician salaries increased by 2% from 2023 to 2024 according to Medscape. If pediatricians continue this growth from 2024, pediatricians can expect to make around $270,300 of annual income in 2025, however this depends heavily on assignment location, experience, and other factors. Overall, compensation for pediatricians should continue to increase in the next few years. 

Find Your Next Pediatrician Job with Barton

Barton coordinates your job search from start to finish!

1

TALK WITH A REP

We’ll schedule a phone consultation with a Barton Associates team member to discuss your interests, goals, and work history in order to get a sense of what you’re looking for in your next job.

Your Barton team will then go to work, compiling a list of open jobs in our extensive network that match your interests and skill set.

2

REVIEW YOUR OPTIONS

Once you’ve had a chance to evaluate your list of opportunities, your Barton rep will submit your information to facility you want to take an assignment at.

If there’s a match, we’ll work with the client manager on next steps.

3

START YOUR JOB!

Don’t worry! Barton Associates will handle licensing, credentialing, and travel arrangements before you arrive.

Your Barton rep will also work with your new facility to ensure you’re set up and ready to go on day one.

LEARN MORE

Complete the following form to learn more about how we can help you find the perfect opportunity
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