Pediatric surgeons salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $215,410 | $103.56 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $559,030 | $268.76 |
| Mean (average) | $502,050 | $241.37 |
| 90th percentile | $726,660 | $349.35 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Pediatric surgeons pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 4 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $288,930 | $145,760 | $490,790 | ||
| New York | $378,110 | $224,280 | $588,210 | 90 | 1.18 |
| Ohio | $488,160 | $180,170 | $564,270 | ||
| Texas | Data unavailable | 300 | 2.82 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for pediatric surgeons
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 0. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 5.2%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for pediatric surgeons
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Medicine CIP 51.1201
- Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy CIP 51.1202
- Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program CIP 61.1501
- Orthopedic Surgery of the Spine Fellowship Program CIP 61.1504
- Pediatric Orthopedics Fellowship Program CIP 61.1505
- Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship Program CIP 61.1703
- Plastic Surgery Residency Program CIP 61.2101
- Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Program CIP 61.2102
- Plastic Surgery Within the Head and Neck Fellowship Program CIP 61.2103
- Plastic Surgery Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other CIP 61.2199
- Congenital Cardiac Surgery Fellowship Program CIP 61.2704
- Pediatric Surgery Fellowship Program CIP 61.2705
- Pediatric Urology Fellowship Program CIP 61.2802
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.
- Examine patient to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk.
Technology skills
- Epic Systems (hot technology)
- MEDITECH software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Computer imaging software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Human resources management system HRMS
- Image-guided surgery software
- Integra Radionics NeuroSight Arc
- Medical laser control software
- Practice management software PMS
- Robotic surgery software
- Three-dimensional 3D virtual surgery software
Common job titles: Cardiovascular Surgeon, General Surgeon, Hand Surgeon, Physician, Plastic Surgeon, Surgeon, Thoracic Surgeon, Vascular Surgeon.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do pediatric surgeons make?
The national median annual wage for pediatric surgeons was $559,030 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $215,410 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $726,660. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do pediatric surgeons need?
BLS lists doctoral or professional degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and internship/residency on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is pediatric surgeons a growing career?
BLS projects employment of pediatric surgeons to change +2.0% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 0 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay pediatric surgeons the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Ohio ($488,160), New York ($378,110), New Jersey ($288,930). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.