Pediatrician Salary By State
Physicians
Compensation
Workforce
How much do pediatricians make? A pediatric physician's salary depends heavily on components such as where they practice, employment setting, and level of training. In the highest-paying states and metro areas, average pediatrician salaries exceed $300,000. In lower-paying markets, the same role can pay less than $120,000 annually.
Average Salary and Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $222,340 was reported as the average salary for pediatricians. The BLS also projects 1% job growth for pediatricians from 2024 to 2034, adding approximately 400 positions nationally. This modest growth rate makes location strategy and practice setting the most effective tools for maximizing your compensation as a pediatric physician.
Pediatrician Salary by State
The table below shows the average annual salary for pediatricians across the U.S. according to the most recent BLS data.
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View directlyWhere Do Pediatricians Make the Most Money?
The top 5 highest-paying states for pediatricians, based on the most recent BLS data, are listed below.
Louisiana – $354,060
Louisiana leads every other state by a significant margin. It is the only state where the mean pediatrician salary exceeds $350,000. A high concentration of specialty and government-affiliated roles drives the state mean well above the national average.
Alaska – $284,210
Geographic isolation, persistent provider shortages, and cost-of-living adjustments combine to make Alaska one of the highest-paying states for physicians across most specialties. Pediatricians here earn nearly $62,000 above the national mean.
California – $283,620
California's large, diverse population drives strong demand statewide. Compensation varies widely by metro area, with Bay Area markets leading both the state and the country.
Mississippi – $281,750
Mississippi has significant pediatric care needs relative to its provider supply. That imbalance drives salaries above what the cost of living would suggest, making it one of the stronger total-value markets for pediatric physicians in the South.
Iowa – $257,430
Iowa rounds out the top five with competitive wages driven by high-paying metro markets in Des Moines and the Quad Cities. Strong salaries with a substantially lower cost of living than coastal states make Iowa a compelling option for pediatricians who want their salary to go further.
Highest-Paying Cities for Pediatricians
Metro-level data gives you the most precise salary benchmark for any specific market. The table below shows the ten highest-paying cities for pediatricians according to most recent BLS data.
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View directlyFrequently Asked Questions
Most pediatricians entering the workforce can expect a starting salary between $150,000 and $180,000, though this varies significantly by state, employer type, and specialty focus.
The majority of pediatrician jobs are located in large metropolitan areas across the United States, with the highest concentrations in California, Texas, Florida, and New York. Cities like San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles consistently post high volumes of pediatrician openings, along with major hubs like Houston, Miami, and New York City. That said, pediatrician jobs in smaller and rural markets are growing in demand, and often come with competitive salaries and loan repayment incentives to attract qualified candidates.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for pediatricians is projected to grow 1% from 2024 to 2034, adding approximately 400 positions nationally. While that growth rate is modest, demand for pediatrician jobs remains consistent, particularly in underserved and rural markets where physician shortages continue to create steady openings.
