How much does a kids' surgeon make?

In the United States, pay can differ with experience and board certification, whether you work for a hospital or a doctor’s office, and where the job is. Complex or specialized operations and long, overnight, or on-call shifts can also affect pay.

Diagnose and perform surgery to treat fetal abnormalities and birth defects, diseases, and injuries in fetuses, premature and newborn infants, children, and adolescents. Includes all pediatric surgical specialties and subspecialties. Excludes “Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons” (29-1022), “Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric” (29-1241), and “Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric” (29-1242).

What's a typical day like?

They review children with the care team, explain the plan to families, then operate to repair injuries or birth defects. Between operations, they check recovery and plan care with specialists; on-call work may bring night emergencies.

Finish college and 4 years of medical school, pass licensing and board exams, then train 5 years in general surgery and 2 in pediatric surgery. In the U.S., you need a state license; from high school, this takes about 15 years (often to age 33).

Graduate degree or long training (preparation level 5 of 5)

Good for people who like figuring things out and helping and teaching.

Some pediatric surgeons also operate on babies before birth, while they are still in the womb, to treat serious birth defects.