Pediatrics is highly specialized. The salary of a pediatric surgeon may not be very high initially, but it is certainly way ahead of many traditional professions. Keep reading ahead to know more about the earning potential of these professionals.
It is essential to carefully chalk out a medical career path, because there are many dimensions associated with it. First and foremost, it is the time factor that is crucial. Medical students must start early, because they have to invest at least ten years in education and training. Secondly, the education budget is another factor. It can’t be denied that medical education in US is very expensive and almost all students have to opt for educational loans, partly or fully, to fund their studies. Considering the high cost of education, it must be kept in mind that after becoming a pediatrician, one has to repay the loans.
Salary should not be a major concern for medical students, as this profession is more about interest and passion. The salary, nevertheless, is high in most of the US states. Pediatric physicians and surgeons have been rated to be amongst the highest-paid professionals in USA, for a long period of time.
Job Description: Reality Bytes
- Many pediatric surgeons have to work for long and irregular hours, thereby increasing workload and stress.
- It is an extremely competitive field and admission to medical school is a tough process.
- Pediatric surgeon education, internship, and training are the most demanding factors in this profession. It requires undergraduate school study (4 years), medical school degree (4 years), followed by internships and residency that typically last for 2 years in the US.
- Though pediatrics demands nearly a decade of study, the salary of surgeons is amongst the highest in any profession, especially after one has attained a decent work experience. Very busy and well-established surgeons can earn as high as USD 300,000 or even more per year.
Average Salary
Owing to complex duties, these surgeons are paid extremely high salaries. As a matter of fact, we wish to inform you that in the year 2009 and 2010, average salaries of middle 50% of pediatric surgeons oscillated between USD 200,000 to USD 300,000.
To surprise you further, those in the top 10% salary bracket, were able to earn more than USD 400,000. What you need to note is that such high salary ranges are commanded by pediatricians who have very good work experience. In the starting years, pediatricians can earn anywhere between USD 90,000 to USD 120,000 per year. Moreover, it is a fact that the salary depends on several other factors, chief being employer type and location of the job.
Top Colleges for Pediatrics
Following is a list of some of the best medical schools in the United States for pediatrics. Graduating from these medical schools certainly sets a promising path for rewarding careers in the field. However, it has to be remembered that dedication towards this profession is vital to succeed. A good medical school is important for obtaining excellent residency programs or for commanding decent salaries. However, efforts of the student also matter to quite a large extent.
- University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill – North Carolina
- New York University School of Medicine – New York City
- University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Minneapolis
- Michigan State University – East Lansing, Michigan
- University of Wisconsin – Madison
- University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
- University of Cincinnati – Cincinnati, Ohio
- University of Washington – Seattle Campus
- University of California – Los Angeles
- University of Iowa – Iowa
- University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
- University of Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh Campus
- Harvard University – Massachusetts, Cambridge
- University of Pennsylvania – Walnut Street, Philadelphia
- Stanford University – California
- University of Colorado – Denver
- University of Rochester – Rochester, New York
- Dartmouth College – Hanover, New Hampshire
- University of Nebraska Medical Center – Omaha, Nebraska
- University of California – San Francisco
- College of Medicine at Ohio State University – Columbus, Ohio
- John Hopkins University – Baltimore, MD
- Oregon Health and Science University – Portland, Oregon
- Baylor College of Medicine – Houston
- University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester – Worcester, Massachusetts
It is a fact that the earning potential of pediatric surgeons is dependent on ‘n’ number of factors. Interested candidates must surely give in their best to become a part of the league, as this is an excellent and highly-rewarding career option.