Walking into his office always made me feel out of place. Despite his welcome tone, I remained hyperaware that he was the man with the comma at the end of his name and the long list of letters that followed it. He sat behind an intricate, deep brown mahogany desk. My eyes darted from one oversized gold-framed degree to the next. I may as well have just entered the Oval Office. He motioned for me to sit. It was a D-Day of sorts. I'd just completed my third year of medical school, and the Dean of the Medical School had summoned me to discuss my plans for the future.

After some disarming chit chat, he popped the question: “So, tell me, which specialty are you leaning toward for your upcoming application?” I smiled, genuinely excited to share the news. A few weeks prior, I’d made up my mind. I’d chosen pediatrics. When I said this aloud, curiosity vanished from his face, and a look of genuine concern replaced it. He looked down at the folder with my name on it, which lay open on his desk; a folder that theoretically told him who I was.

“Why pediatrics? Your file looks great. You have a good chance of matching in any specialty. Have you considered a more competitive field, such as radiology or dermatology? I’m not sure if you are aware, but do you know that pediatricians don’t make any money?”

Nearly three-quarters of all students who begin medical school are either unsure of which specialty they will pursue or change their minds about their specialty during medical training. Year after year, when medical students are asked what the most influential factors in choosing their specialty, the answers remain the same: good fit with personality, interest, and skills. It may come as a surprise to some that income expectations do not even make the top five reasons why medical students chose their specialty. Naive? Perhaps. But if given the chance to rewind, would you choose your specialty again? Two decades later, my pick remains the same. Here are the two truths and one lie about pediatrics that make it a better specialty selection than many non-pediatricians think.

Truth Number One: Pediatrics is Fun!

Pediatrics allows us to interact daily with patients who, by their very nature, bring lightness and joy into the clinical setting. Children are resilient, hopeful, and, in the face of adversity, often radiate positivity (plus they are way cuter and whine a lot less than adults). Their laughter, infectious energy, and unexpected moments of humor create an environment where it is hard to stay in a bad mood for long. Hugs, high-fives, and funny comments from our young patients remind us why we chose this path. They provide us as much emotional reward as the care we give them.

Add to this the unparalleled camaraderie that exists among pediatricians and the teams we work with. Not only are your patients amazing, but so are your colleagues. The personality required for this job means you are surrounded by clinicians who are often upbeat, compassionate, and selfless individuals dedicated to the well-being of children. This fosters excellent teamwork and a supportive, collaborative atmosphere, which contributes to your overall happiness. Historically, pediatricians have consistently ranked in the top quartile of physician specialties with high job satisfaction.

Truth Number Two: Pediatrics is an Intellectually Engaging and Dynamic Specialty

There is a common misconception that a career in pediatrics lacks intellectual rigor, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Pediatrics is much more than treating colds and ear infections. It requires a broad knowledge base, keen diagnostic acumen, and the ability to think critically across a wide range of clinical presentations. In a single day, a pediatrician might identify pyloric stenosis in an infant acutely failing to thrive, remove a foreign object from a toddler’s ear, diagnose and manage lobar pneumonia in a school-aged child, and counsel an adolescent on contraception and STIs.

The diversity of cases requires not only medical expertise but a nuanced understanding of psychosocial dynamics and age-appropriate communication skills. Whether you are procedure-oriented or not, pediatrics offers flexibility. You can perform hands-on procedures, such as laceration repair, or focus on cognitive and diagnostic challenges. While most pediatric patients are generally healthy, the challenge and intellectual reward lie in catching the rare but serious conditions when they do arise. This keeps you clinically sharp and constantly engaged. There is never a dull day.

The “Lie”: Pediatricians Don’t Make Any Money!

Income expectations rank just 8th among the factors influencing specialty choice for graduating medical students. Yet, concerns about low earning potential are sometimes used to deter students from pursuing a career in pediatrics. In truth, what counts as “not a lot of money” is relative. According to a 2023 report of average annual compensation by specialty, surgical fields such as neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, and orthopaedics topped the list, while pediatric and primary care specialties were listed near the bottom.

At first glance, that might seem discouraging, but the key word here is average. Studies estimate that pediatricians’ annual compensation typically falls in the mid-$200,000 range. However, this varies significantly depending on several key factors. Location matters; in certain high-demand states or cities, pediatricians can earn up to 50% more than the national average. In Mississippi, for example, the mean pediatrician salary is $328,000. Practice setting also plays a significant role. Solo practices, single-specialty groups, and multispecialty groups often offer more competitive compensation than hospitals, HMOs, or academic institutions.

Don’t rule out pediatrics solely based on average income. Strategic choices can make a big difference. By practicing in the right location and selecting a high-performing practice model, pediatricians can indeed achieve compensation levels comparable to those of their peers in fields such as general surgery, anesthesiology, or dermatology. The opportunities are out there, you just have to know where to look!

Choosing a career in pediatrics means selecting a path that is filled with purpose, joy, and lasting impact. While every medical specialty comes with its particular challenges, pediatrics stands out for the availability of work-life balance options, giving you the freedom to shape a career that fits your life. In my experience, pediatrics offers a rare opportunity: the chance to prevent disease early, support healthy development, and build meaningful relationships with patients and families. It’s a place where work is enjoyable. And here’s a powerful stat: According to a 2020 report, 77% of pediatricians say they would choose medicine all over again, and 82% would choose the same specialty.

That’s higher than several other reportedly higher-paid fields. Why? Because pediatrics enables you to do the greatest good at one of the most impactful times in a person’s life. If you’re looking for a career where you can make a difference and enjoy the journey along the way, this openly biased doc still thinks pediatrics is the place to be.

What's one thing you wish other physicians knew about your specialty? Share in the comments!

Dr. Nicole Hight is a practicing pediatrician in the Atlanta area and a multi-year recipient of the Top Doctor and Parent Magazine parent choice awards. She earned her undergraduate and medical degrees from Emory University and served as Chief Resident at Levine Children's Hospital. She believes a listening ear and an encouraging word changes lives. You can reach her on LinkedIn; on Instagram @yourtrustedpediatrician; and on TikTok @doctorhight. Dr. Hight is a 2024–2025 Doximity Op-Med Fellow.

Image by Denis Novikov / Getty