How much does a pediatric surgeon make?

The median pay is $268.76 per hour — roughly $559,000 a year, with the real range running from about $103.56/hr (10th percentile) to $349.35/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a pediatric surgeon?

The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

What does a pediatric surgeon actually do all day?

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.

Health Care

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.

What it pays
Pediatric Surgeons earn a median of $268.76/hr — about $559,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $103.56/hr; the top 10% earn $349.35/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

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.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work is mostly indoors; you're around people constantly; time pressure is a real part of the job; it rewards working independently; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 0% of pediatric surgeons are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are analytical, people-focused and hands-on.

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Related careers

Quick questions

How much does a pediatric surgeon make?: The median pay is $268.76 per hour — roughly $559,000 a year, with the real range running from about $103.56/hr (10th percentile) to $349.35/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a pediatric surgeon?: The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
What does a pediatric surgeon actually do all day?: 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.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.