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 approved physician salary reports to help you make an informed decision.
See how Pediatrician salaries, lifestyle metrics, and training requirements compare to Family Medicine Physician data from approved salary reports on SalaryDr. Pediatrics requires 3-year residency, while Family Medicine requires 3-year residency.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Pediatrics | Family Medicine |
|---|---|---|
| Median total pay | $305,000 → | $300,000 → |
| Middle 50% of pay | $270,000 – $343,750 | $272,000 – $333,000 |
| Approved reports | 272 | 159 |
| Training Length | 3-year residency | 3-year residency |
| Practitioner Title | Pediatrician | Family Medicine Physician |
| Lifestyle Rating | See details below | See details below |
Salary figures on each specialty page are recomputed from approved physician salary reports as new reports are approved.
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: 45 hours
- Take call: 99% of physicians
- Average PTO: 34 days/year
Family Medicine
Generally predictable hours with limited call. Strong emphasis on continuity of care and long-term patient relationships.
- Average work week: 43 hours
- Take call: 66% of physicians
- Average PTO: 38 days/year
Satisfaction & Lifestyle by the Numbers
Based on 431 approved physician salary reports across both specialties.
| Metric | Pediatrics | Family Medicine |
|---|---|---|
| Career Satisfaction | 4/5 | 3.6/5 |
| Would Choose Again | 82% | 76% |
| Avg Hours/Week | 45 | 43 |
| Takes Call | 99% | 66% |
| Avg Call Days/Month | — | — |
| Avg PTO Days/Year | 34 | 38 |
| Physician Submissions | 272 submissions | 159 submissions |
Practice Setting Distribution
Where Pediatrics and Family Medicine physicians work, based on approved salary reports. Practice setting significantly impacts both compensation and day-to-day lifestyle.
Pediatrics
Based on 272 approved reports
Family Medicine
Based on 159 approved reports
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
Related Comparisons
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