Pediatric Surgeon Salary in 2024: Compensation Trends

Pediatric surgeons specialize in the surgical care of infants, children, and adolescents, performing a wide range of procedures to treat congenital conditions, trauma, and diseases. Given the specialized training and skills required, pediatric surgeons are well-compensated, with salaries reflecting the complexity and critical nature of their work. This article explores pediatric surgeon salary trends for 2024, with insights from Doximity, MGMA, Medscape, and other key reports.

Introduction to Pediatric Surgeon Salary
Average Pediatric Surgeon Salary in 2024
Data from Doximity, MGMA, and Medscape Reports
Factors Influencing Pediatric Surgeon Compensation
Pediatric Surgeon Salary Trends Over the Years
Geographic Variations in Pediatric Surgeon Salaries
The Gender Pay Gap in Pediatric Surgery
FAQs About Pediatric Surgeon Salaries

1. Introduction to Pediatric Surgeon Salary

Pediatric surgeons play a crucial role in treating children who require surgical interventions, often managing complex congenital anomalies, traumatic injuries, and pediatric cancers. Due to the delicate nature of pediatric surgery and the specialized skills required, these surgeons receive competitive salaries. Compensation in this field is shaped by factors such as subspecialty, practice setting, and geographic location.

2. Average Pediatric Surgeon Salary in 2024

The average salary for pediatric surgeons in 2024 is approximately $465,000, which reflects the specialty’s demands and the need for specialized training in treating young patients.

Doximity 2024 Report: Pediatric surgeons earn an average salary of $465,000, placing them in the higher range of general surgical specialties.
Medscape 2024 Report: The average salary reported by Medscape is $470,000, showing consistency across different compensation surveys.
MGMA Data (2021): According to MGMA’s 2021 data, the median salary for pediatric surgeons is around $475,000, with the highest earners making over $550,000, depending on the level of specialization and practice setting.

3. Data from Doximity, MGMA, and Medscape Reports

Insights from these reports provide a comprehensive view of pediatric surgeon compensation:

Doximity 2024 Report: Pediatric surgeon salaries saw a 3% increase from 2023, reflecting steady demand for specialized pediatric surgical care. Surgeons working in large children’s hospitals often earn higher salaries due to higher case volumes.
Medscape 2024 Report: Pediatric surgery remains one of the higher-paying general surgical specialties, with compensation influenced by subspecialties like pediatric oncology surgery or neonatal surgery, which involve highly complex procedures.
MGMA 2021 Report: MGMA data highlights significant variation in compensation based on practice setting, with pediatric surgeons in children’s hospitals or academic medical centers often earning more than those in smaller community hospitals, due to higher volumes and more complex cases.

4. Factors Influencing Pediatric Surgeon Compensation

Several factors impact pediatric surgeon salaries, including:

Subspecialty Expertise: Pediatric surgeons who specialize in areas like neonatal surgery or pediatric oncologic surgery tend to earn higher salaries due to the complexity of the cases.
Practice Setting: Surgeons working in large children’s hospitals or academic medical centers typically earn higher salaries than those in community hospitals, where compensation structures may differ.
Experience Level: Compensation tends to increase with experience, especially for surgeons who have established themselves in specialized areas or have leadership roles within pediatric surgical departments.
Geographic Location: Location plays a significant role, with higher salaries found in regions where there is a greater demand for pediatric surgical services or a higher cost of living.

5. Pediatric Surgeon Salary Trends Over the Years

Pediatric surgeon salaries have shown steady growth over the past decade:

2020-2022 Trends: The demand for pediatric surgical care remained stable during the COVID-19 pandemic, with elective pediatric surgeries experiencing some delays but essential procedures continuing. A 3% increase in salary was reported in 2023, reflecting the recovery in pediatric surgical services.
Long-Term Growth: Over the last decade, pediatric surgery has maintained competitive compensation. The MGMA 2021 report indicates a steady increase in median compensation, with salaries typically ranging between $450,000 and $475,000, depending on subspecialty and geographic location.

6. Geographic Variations in Pediatric Surgeon Salaries

Location significantly affects pediatric surgeon compensation:

Top-Paying Regions: Cities such as San Francisco, CA, New York, NY, and Chicago, IL offer some of the highest salaries for pediatric surgeons, averaging $490,000 to $510,000, due to the high demand for specialized pediatric care.
Lower-Paying Regions: Areas such as Cleveland, OH, and St. Louis, MO, offer lower compensation, averaging around $440,000, largely due to different market conditions and patient volumes.

7. The Gender Pay Gap in Pediatric Surgery

The gender pay gap is present in pediatric surgery, though it is narrower than in some other surgical specialties:

Doximity 2024 Data: The gender pay gap for pediatric surgeons is around 20%, with female surgeons earning approximately $85,000 less annually than their male counterparts. The gap is narrower in academic settings, where salary structures are more standardized.
MGMA Findings (2021): MGMA data suggests that the gender pay gap is smaller in pediatric surgery than in fields like cardiac or neurosurgery, particularly in children’s hospitals, where pay may be more closely tied to workload and case complexity.

8. FAQs About Pediatric Surgeon Salaries

1. What is the average salary for a pediatric surgeon in 2024?

The average salary is approximately $465,000, with variations based on subspecialty, practice setting, and geographic location.

2. How does pediatric surgery compare to other surgical specialties in terms of compensation?

Pediatric surgery offers competitive salaries, though it typically earns less than highly specialized fields like cardiothoracic or neurosurgery.

3. Are pediatric surgeon salaries increasing?

Yes, salaries increased by 3% in 2023, driven by steady demand for specialized pediatric surgical care.

4. Which regions offer the highest salaries for pediatric surgeons?

San Francisco, New York, and Chicago offer higher compensation due to the high demand for pediatric surgical services and higher living costs.

5. Does a gender pay gap exist in pediatric surgery?

Yes, with a 20% gap, female pediatric surgeons earn less than male surgeons, though the disparity is narrower in academic settings.

Conclusion

Pediatric surgery remains a rewarding specialty, with competitive compensation reflecting the specialized skills and high demand for surgical procedures in children. Data from Doximity, MGMA, and Medscape show positive salary trends for 2024, despite challenges such as the gender pay gap and regional disparities. Staying informed about factors affecting compensation can help pediatric surgeons optimize their earning potential.