Explore pediatrics NP and PA salary ranges, hourly rates, and how specialty certification and locum work shape earning potential in 2026.
Pediatrics NPs and PAs provide primary and specialty care to patients from birth through young adulthood. The breadth of the specialty — spanning well-child care, acute illness management, and subspecialty support in NICU, PICU, and pediatric surgery — creates significant variation in compensation. Most earn between $115,000 and $122,000 annually, with inpatient and subspecialty roles, NICU/PICU experience, and rural market demand pushing compensation higher.
| Source | What it Measures | NP Compensation | PA Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AANP Compensation Report (2025) | Median annual NP compensation | ~$120,000 | N/A |
| AAPA Salary Report (2025) | Median annual PA compensation | N/A | ~$122,000 |
| Medscape APRN Compensation Report (2025) | Average total NP/PA compensation | ~$115,000 | ~$120,000 |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (2025) | Mean annual wage (all-specialty proxy) | ~$133K–$136K | ~$130K–$135K |
Pediatrics APPs with NICU, PICU, or pediatric emergency experience access the highest-paying locum assignments. Inpatient and subspecialty roles command significant premiums over outpatient primary care.
| Compensation Type | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| W-2 employed NP/PA (BLS mean, ~2,080 hrs) | ~$64 /hr |
| Locum tenens — lower band | $90 /hr |
| Locum tenens — upper band | $110 /hr |
Sources: BLS OEWS 2025; Barton Associates market data 2025–2026.
NICU and PICU locum assignments command the highest rates in the pediatrics APP market, reflecting the critical care skills and credentialing required for these roles.
Pediatrics APP compensation peaks in markets where pediatric access gaps are most acute. Rural health systems, federally qualified health centers, and children’s hospitals in underserved regions pay the highest locum premiums. Full-practice-authority states expand assignment availability for NPs.
Rural pediatric access gaps create persistent locum demand. APPs willing to work in underserved markets access both the highest rates and the most consistent assignment availability.
A full-time pediatrics APP in an outpatient primary care setting typically sees 18 to 25 patients per day, managing well-child visits, acute illness, and chronic disease management. Inpatient pediatrics APPs manage smaller but higher-acuity patient panels in hospital medicine, NICU, or PICU settings. The shift-based structure of inpatient pediatrics makes it particularly well-suited to locum work.
Locum rates range from $90 to $110 per hour. The four scenarios below use representative rates from within that band.
To exceed $225,000: target inpatient and urgent care assignments, underserved rural markets, and NICU/PICU experience at the top of the rate band.
Pediatrics APPs with NICU/PICU experience and willingness to work in rural and underserved markets access the highest-paying locum assignments and the most consistent demand.
A $100/hr locum rate versus a $64/hr W-2 equivalent is a meaningful structural advantage. 1099 pediatrics APPs unlock business deductions across licensing, CME, travel, and equipment; higher retirement contributions through a SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k); the Qualified Business Income deduction of up to 20%; and S-corp structuring at higher income levels. Barton partners with Earned to help locum APPs navigate these decisions.
Barton coordinates your job search from start to finish!
We’ll schedule a phone consultation to discuss your interests, goals, and work history to find the right opportunities.
Your Barton rep will submit your information to the facility you want to take an assignment at and work on next steps.
Barton handles licensing, credentialing, and travel arrangements before you arrive so you’re ready on day one.
Most earn between $115,000 (Medscape NP) and $122,000 (AAPA PA). Inpatient and subspecialty roles, NICU/PICU experience, and rural market demand push compensation higher.
W-2 employed NPs and PAs average approximately $64 per hour based on BLS data. Locum tenens rates range from $90 to $110 per hour.
Hybrid models combining employed income with regular locum shifts can push total compensation above $156,000. Full-time locum at $110/hr working 16 shifts per month yields approximately $211,000 annually.
Rural health systems, federally qualified health centers, and children’s hospitals in underserved regions pay the highest locum premiums. NICU and PICU assignments command the largest rate differentials.
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