There are currently an estimated 29,600 pediatricians in the United States. The pediatrician job market is expected to grow by 15.2% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are pediatricians?

CareerExplorer rates pediatricians with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 5,600 pediatricians. That number is based on 4,500 additional pediatricians, and the retirement of 1,100 existing pediatricians.

Are pediatricians in demand?

As long as the world’s population continues to grow, the job outlook and demand for pediatricians will remain positive. Infants, children, and adolescents do not have fully functional immune systems and require specialized healthcare until they reach adulthood. This fact drives the demand for doctors who provide them with medical care and treatment. Further momentum for the career is generated by increases in childhood obesity and a rapid rise in the diagnosis of pediatric neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Growth in the field may be somewhat mitigated by the number of pediatric physician assistants and nurse practitioners hired to consult with patients. These positions are under the direction of a physician, but they can eliminate the need for multiple pediatricians in some practices. Expanded career opportunities are predicted for pediatricians trained in subspecialties, such as neurology, oncology, and cardiology. Rural and low income areas, which face shortages of all medical professionals, continue to present employment opportunities and less competition. In addition to traditional roles in private practice and with hospitals and outpatient centers, some pediatricians are hired by government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as Doctors Without Borders, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the International Medical Corps.

What’s the supply of pediatricians?

The pediatrician industry is concentrated in California, Texas, Ohio

Pediatrician job market by state

State Name Employed Pediatricians
California 3,460
Texas 2,230
Ohio 1,910
New York 1,850
Massachusetts 1,580
New Jersey 1,500
Florida 1,060
Arizona 1,010
North Carolina 860
Illinois 810
Georgia 780
Michigan 730
Tennessee 700
Virginia 650
Connecticut 590
Maryland 580
Pennsylvania 580
Washington 510
Alabama 470
Kentucky 410
Indiana 410
Colorado 400
Wisconsin 350
Oregon 350
District of Columbia 300
South Carolina 270
New Hampshire 230
Delaware 230
Missouri 220
Utah 200
Rhode Island 190
Mississippi 190
Puerto Rico 170
Vermont 170
Maine 160
Nebraska 150
Hawaii 140
Nevada 140
New Mexico 120
Arkansas 120
Louisiana 90
Idaho 70
Oklahoma 70
Montana 60
Alaska 50
South Dakota 40