How to Become a Pediatrician: Step-by-Step Guide
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Pediatricians are doctors who work specifically with children, including infants, adolescents, and young adults. With an estimated 33,000 pediatricians practicing in the U.S., these medical doctors shoulder an array of responsibilities, from routine health checks and immunizations to addressing developmental concerns and treating illnesses.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll go over how long it takes to become a pediatrician, the education and skills you'll need to succeed in the role, and how much money you can expect to make.
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How to Become a Pediatrician: 8 Steps
Becoming a pediatrician involves eight key steps, each contributing to your development as a healthcare professional. From earning a bachelor's degree to gaining hands-on experience and navigating medical school, each stage equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to excel in this field.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
Your journey to becoming a pediatrician starts with earning a bachelor's degree.
While many colleges don't have a pre-med degree, it's best to major in a science- or healthcare-related field, such as biology, chemistry, physics, or healthcare administration. Science classes are especially important, since these tend to be prerequisites for med school admission.
In addition, taking courses in childhood development or child psychology can provide a solid foundation for a career as a pediatrician.
Step 2: Gain Healthcare Experience
You'll need to gain some hands-on experience in healthcare while you're in college. This could be a part-time job at a hospital or volunteer work with children. Direct experience helps you better understand your passions while enhancing your future application for med school.
Many medical schools recommend a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer or paid healthcare experience before applying. Look for internships at local hospitals, clinics, and doctor offices. The summer term is a popular time to gain work experience since you won't have to balance classes with a job.
Step 3: Take the MCAT
In your final year of college — or whenever you're ready to start the process of applying to med school — you'll take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This exam is a vital step toward becoming a pediatrician, and it's required for admission to all medical schools in the U.S.
A standardized, multiple-choice exam, the MCAT evaluates your problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, and understanding of natural, behavioral, and social sciences.
The test is known for being particularly challenging. A perfect MCAT score is 528, with over 80% of test-takers earning a 512 or higher in 2022-2023. Top medical schools tend to boast average MCAT scores in the 510-528 range.
Step 4: Attend Medical School
After getting your bachelor's degree and taking the MCAT, the next step is to attend an accredited med school. Here, you'll delve deeper into the study of medicine and eventually earn a doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) degree.
It's not easy to get into med school, so take time to put together a strong application.
The first two years of med school typically involve lectures and labs. The final two years allow you to practice hands-on patient care through clinical rotations.
As a med student, you'll get to study and experience various medical fields, including pediatrics. By the end of med school, you should have a well-rounded understanding of medicine and a clearer idea of what you'd like your specialty to be.
Step 5: Get Licensed
Once you graduate from med school, you'll need a medical license to practice. Typically, this process involves passing one of two standardized national exams:
- U.S. Medical Licensing Examination for MDs
- Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination for DOs
Remember, each state has its own licensing requirements, so it's important to familiarize yourself with the regulations in the state where you plan to practice. Contact your state's medical board to learn more about medical licensing requirements.
Step 6: Complete a Residency
After earning your medical degree and getting licensed, it's time to complete a pediatric residency. Basic pediatric residency is an intensive program that lasts a minimum of three years — students earning a subspecialty of pediatric medicine may take more time.
You'll gain hands-on experience under the supervision of experienced medical professionals. Your daily activities might include team briefings, patient rounds, performing procedures, attending lectures, and learning from seasoned doctors.
The residency period is crucial in shaping your skills and knowledge as a pediatrician and preparing you for the challenges of the job.
Step 7: Begin a Fellowship Program
If you want to specialize in a certain area of pediatric medicine, consider starting a fellowship program after you finish your residency. Fellowships provide in-depth training in a pediatric subspecialty and usually last 1-3 years.
The fellowship program you choose should align with your career goals and allow you to gain more experience in your chosen subspecialty. Completing a fellowship program not only equips you with specialized knowledge but also sets you apart in the competitive field of pediatric medicine.
Step 8: Get Board Certified
Finally, after years of hard work and dedication, you're ready to become board-certified. This process involves passing the pediatric board certification exam from a reputable certifying board like the American Board of Pediatrics.
While board certification isn't mandatory to practice as a pediatrician, having this certification can open up more job opportunities and signifies your expertise in the field.
Types of Pediatricians
While many pediatricians practice general pediatrics, others specialize in specific pediatric subspecialties. The choice of a subspecialty will depend on your interests, your career goals, and the specific health needs of the children you wish to work with.
Below are some of the most common pediatric subspecialties:
-
Neonatology
This subspecialty focuses on the care of newborn infants, particularly those who are ill or born prematurely. Neonatologists work in neonatal intensive care units, or NICUs, and deal with health conditions such as congenital anomalies, infections, and breathing disorders. -
Pediatric Cardiology
Pediatric cardiologists diagnose and treat various heart conditions in children. They help manage congenital heart disease, arrhythmias, and other heart-related conditions in young patients. -
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Professionals in this subspecialty diagnose and treat children with cancer and blood disorders, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle cell anemia. -
Pediatric Surgery
Pediatric surgeons perform many kinds of surgical procedures on children, from minor operations to complex surgeries. They are trained to operate on various parts of the body, addressing conditions like hernias, appendicitis, and congenital abnormalities. -
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
These pediatricians provide immediate medical attention to children with acute illnesses or injuries. They work in emergency departments and are skilled in handling a variety of urgent conditions. -
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Pediatric infectious disease specialists diagnose and manage infections in children. They are knowledgeable about a wide array of infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. -
Pediatric Pulmonology
This subspecialty deals with lung and respiratory conditions in children. Pediatric pulmonologists manage conditions like asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic cough. -
Adolescent Medicine
Specialists in this field focus on the unique health needs of teenagers. They deal with issues related to puberty, mental health, substance use, and reproductive health. -
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics
These pediatricians specialize in the behavioral and developmental aspects of children. They diagnose and treat conditions like autism, learning disorders, and ADHD.
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Cost to Become a Pediatrician
The cost of becoming a pediatrician is generally high when you take into account both undergraduate studies and med school.
On average, you can expect to spend $9,600-$34,000 in tuition and fees each year for your bachelor's degree, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Factors that can affect this cost include whether you qualify for in-state tuition and whether you receive any scholarships or federal aid.
Medical school is normally very expensive. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, med students graduated with an average debt of $207,000 in 2020.
Don't forget to factor in additional costs such as living expenses, textbooks, and exam fees, all of which can increase the amount you spend on your education.
Pediatrician Salary
As a pediatrician, your earnings will vary based on factors such as subspecialty, location, and years of experience.
On average, pediatricians in the U.S. earned a median salary of $190,350 in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
This figure can vary greatly depending on the state you practice in. For example, pediatricians in Ohio earned an average of around $239,000 in 2022, while those in New York earned just under $192,000.
Additionally, with bonuses and incentives, you could earn thousands of dollars more than your base salary.
Resources for Pediatricians
Pediatricians can rely on a wealth of resources and professional organizations to support their career growth and professional development. These groups provide opportunities for networking, continuing education, research collaboration, and advocacy.
Here are some of the most notable:
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Pediatrician
What is the best major for a pediatrician?
For aspiring pediatricians, it's best to choose a major that meets medical school prerequisites. Biology and other sciences are common choices, with some programs specifically tailored toward pre-med students.
Ensure your major includes extensive coursework in science, math, and communication, as these are requirements for admission into med school.
What are the pros and cons of being a pediatrician?
Being a pediatrician comes with several advantages, such as the fulfillment of helping children, the option for a flexible schedule, a high earning potential, and a variety of subspecialties to choose from.
Nevertheless, the role can be stressful due to the intense responsibility and often long hours, especially during a residency. Being a pediatrician also requires a long, costly education and potentially exposes you to health risks and challenging interactions with patients and families.
What types of pediatricians make the most money?
Pediatricians specializing in surgery or high-need areas such as neonatal-perinatal medicine and pediatric cardiology tend to earn the most. According to the BLS, pediatric surgeons earned a median salary of $239,200 in 2022.
Pediatrician salaries can vary significantly depending on your location, hours, and experience.
Is being a pediatrician hard?
Being a pediatrician can be a rewarding, albeit often demanding, career involving emotional management, complex medical cases, and sometimes difficult interactions with families. Success in this field requires creativity, empathy, and excellent communication skills, along with self-care, to handle the job's inherent stresses.
How long does it take to become a pediatrician?
Becoming a general pediatrician usually requires 11 years of education and training. This comprises a four-year bachelor's degree, four years of medical school, and 3 years in a residency.
If you want to pursue a pediatric subspecialty, you will also have to complete a fellowship. This additional training takes 1-4 years, meaning you may spend up to 15 years training to become a pediatrician.
Note: The insights on this page were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed March 18, 2024.
