Pediatrics vs Family Medicine: Salary, Lifestyle & Training (2026)
Choosing between Pediatrics and Family Medicine involves weighing compensation, training length, work-life balance, call responsibilities, and long-term career satisfaction. This comparison uses verified physician data to help you make an informed decision.
See how Pediatrician salaries, lifestyle metrics, and training requirements compare to Family Medicine Physician data from verified submissions on SalaryDr. Pediatrics requires 3-year residency, while Family Medicine requires 3-year residency.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Pediatrics | Family Medicine |
|---|---|---|
| Training Length | 3-year residency | 3-year residency |
| Practitioner Title | Pediatrician | Family Medicine Physician |
| Live Salary Data | View Pediatrics salary → | View Family Medicine salary → |
| Lifestyle Rating | See details below | See details below |
Salary figures are updated in real-time on each specialty page from verified physician submissions.
Training Pathway: Pediatrics vs Family Medicine
Pediatrics
3-year residency
Pediatrics residency is three years, focusing exclusively on children and adolescents. Graduates who want to subspecialize (e.g., pediatric cardiology, neonatology) face an additional three-year fellowship.
Family Medicine
3-year residency
Family Medicine residency is one of the shortest physician training pathways at three years, making it an attractive option for medical students who want to begin practicing sooner. Training covers broad outpatient and inpatient care with exposure to pediatrics, obstetrics, geriatrics, and procedural skills.
Lifestyle & Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is one of the most important factors physicians weigh when choosing a specialty. Here is how Pediatrics and Family Medicine compare on key lifestyle dimensions.
Pediatrics
Moderate lifestyle with reasonable hours. Call varies by practice setting.
- Average work week: 47 hours
- Take call: 100% of physicians
- Average PTO: 32 days/year
Family Medicine
Generally predictable hours with limited call. Strong emphasis on continuity of care and long-term patient relationships.
- Average work week: 47 hours
- Take call: 67% of physicians
- Average PTO: 39 days/year
Satisfaction & Lifestyle by the Numbers
Based on 498 verified physician submissions across both specialties.
| Metric | Pediatrics | Family Medicine |
|---|---|---|
| Career Satisfaction | 4/5 | 3.6/5 |
| Would Choose Again | 82% | 79% |
| Avg Hours/Week | 47 | 47 |
| Takes Call | 100% | 67% |
| Avg Call Days/Month | — | — |
| Avg PTO Days/Year | 32 | 39 |
| Physician Submissions | 294 submissions | 204 submissions |
“I work 4 days a week, clinic is 9-430pm with an hour lunch. I round on babies and take mommy call 1 week a month but it’s usually 0-5 babies a week an...”— Pediatrics Physician
“4 shifts weekly of 9.5 clinical hours, evening/weekend call every 6 weeks requiring minimal effort, ”— Family Medicine Physician
Practice Setting Distribution
Where Pediatrics and Family Medicine physicians work, based on verified salary submissions. Practice setting significantly impacts both compensation and day-to-day lifestyle.
Pediatrics
Based on 294 verified submissions
Family Medicine
Based on 204 verified submissions
Career Outlook & Job Market
Pediatrics Outlook
Pediatrics demand is steady, with particular need in subspecialties and underserved communities. Compensation growth has been more modest compared to procedural specialties, but job security remains strong.
Family Medicine Outlook
Family Medicine faces a significant physician shortage, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The AAMC projects a shortfall of 17,800 to 48,000 primary care physicians by 2034, making job prospects strong with excellent geographic flexibility.
Compensation Growth Trajectory
Physician salaries in both Pediatrics and Family Medicine typically increase with experience, with the largest jumps in the first 5-10 years post-training. Partnership or ownership in private practice can meaningfully accelerate earnings. For detailed breakdowns, explore the Pediatrics and Family Medicine salary-by-experience pages.
Explore Deeper Data
Benchmark Reports
Lifestyle & Satisfaction
Is It Worth It?
Training & Residency
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