Physician specialty: Pediatrics

Whether you’re a medical student considering a specialty, a resident or fellow, or a practicing physician, the American Medical Association is here to help with information, resources and continuing medical education (CME) for pediatrics.

Pediatrics is the is the medical specialty dedicated to the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth through young adulthood. Pediatric care encompasses a broad range of health services, from preventive care to diagnosing and treating infections, injuries and other health conditions.

Physicians in pediatrics provide wide-ranging care focused on prevention, detection and management of physical, behavioral and developmental issues that affect children. This includes preventive care as well as the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases.  

In addition, pediatricians work to reduce child and infant mortality, foster healthy development and lifestyles, and ease the day-to-day difficulties of those with chronic conditions.

Pediatricians may collaborate with pediatric subspecialists and other medical specialists in treating complex disorders. They work closely with other health professionals focused on children’s emotional needs and address developmental problems that result from exposure to psychosocial stressors. 

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Many pediatricians practice general pediatrics and provide care in a variety of practice and community settings, such as clinics, hospitals or private practice. Generalist pediatricians may also serve as educators, mentors, hospitalists and researchers. 

Following medical school, three years of specialty training in pediatrics is required prior to certification. Additional medical training of up to three years may be required for pediatrics subspecialties.

In 2023, the average pediatrics physician salary was $242,832*. The average resident/fellow salary was $61,655+.

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

If you’re a medical student considering a pediatrics residency or a current resident looking to change programs to pediatrics, these were the top 10 most-viewed residency programs in pediatrics in 2023 from FREIDA™, the AMA Residency & Fellowship Database®.

1.  Children's National Medical Center Program
2.  Phoenix Children's Hospital Program
3.  Nicklaus Children's Hospital Program
4.  University of Alabama Medical Center Program
5.  Children's Hospital/Boston Medical Center Program
6.  Children's Hospital Los Angeles Program
7.  University of Connecticut Program
8.  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Program
9.  University of Florida College of Medicine Jacksonville Program
10.  Maimonides Medical Center/Infants and Children's Hospital of Brooklyn Program

For practicing physicians in pediatrics, the AMA Ed Hub™ provides a deep selection of CME options to help keep skills and knowledge current, at home or on the go. Earn as much as 5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ from these popular courses for starters.

• A Young Patient With Hives and Chest Pain (1 credit)
• Identifying Children Likely to Benefit From Antibiotics for Acute Sinusitis (1 credit)
• Screening and Preventive Interventions for Oral Health in Children and Adolescents Aged 5 to 17 Years (1 credit)
• Pediatric Patient With Persistent Postoperative Fevers After Esophageal Foreign Body Removal (1 credit)
• Clinical Care for People Who Survive Childhood Cancer (1 credit)

No matter where you are in your career, stay current on the latest research and findings in pediatrics with content from the JAMA Network™.

Podcasts

• Genomic Sequencing for Ill Newborns
• Screen Time Exposure at Age 1 Year and Developmental Delay at Ages 2 and 4 Years
• Transdiagnostic Ecological Momentary Intervention for Improving Self-Esteem in Youth Exposed to Childhood Adversity
• Treatment Outcomes With Licensed and Unlicensed Stimulant Doses for Adults With ADHD
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Adolescence

*Doximity 2023 Physician Compensation Report (PDF)

+FREIDA Specialty Guide, Pediatrics