How Competitive is a Pediatrics Residency? Updated for 2023 (2024)

If you want to become a pediatrician, let’s explore the level of competitiveness in matching into a pediatric residency. Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of diseases. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends people be under pediatric care through the age of 21.

Statistics on the Pediatrics Match

In 2022, pediatrics had a total of 3,153 applicants and 3,016 spots. This equates to 1.05 applicants per position. Of the 1,655 U.S. MD seniors who applied, 27 did not match.

Osteopathic (DO) Students Matching into Pediatrics

In 2022, the total number of DO Senior Applicants was 585. Of those, 565 matched, for a 96.58% match percentage. This makes pediatrics a Very Friendly field for osteopathic students.

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) Matching into Pediatrics

Because there are only 0.59 U.S. MD applicants per 1 program spot, pediatrics is considered to be Very Friendly for IMGs students.

Honors, Research and Awards for Pediatrics Residency Candidates

The average matched U.S. applicant had 9.3 volunteer experiences and 3.3 work experiences. They had 2.9 research experiences and 5.6 abstracts, presentations and publications. That makes this specialty on where the number of publications needed is Low.

Average Step 1 and Step 2 Scores for Pediatrics

The mean U.S. Step 1 score for matched medical students in pediatrics was 230. The mean USMLE Step 2 CK score was 245.

Overall Competitiveness of Pediatrics Residency and Chances of Matching

The overall competitiveness level of pediatrics is Low for a U.S. senior. With a Step 1 score of 200, the probability of matching is 95%. With a Step 1 score of >240, the probability is 100%.

How long is a residency in pediatrics? What is the lifestyle like for a pediatrics resident?

Compared to other residencies, pediatrics has a Short training length. As far as lifestyle, pediatricians generally have a Low stress lifestyle. Of course, lifestyle is very subjective and if you love what you do, it does not matter! And if you hate what you do, it can still be rough no matter what. In medicine, you should find the specialty that makes you enjoy your everyday interactions with patients, staff and colleagues.

What is the average salary for a pediatrician?

The average salary post-graduation from a pediatrics residency is $232,000, provided one does not go on to sub-specialty training which can change the salary substantially. Academic versus private practice as well as location also play a large role in physician compensation.

What are fellowships one can do from a pediatrics residency?

Following the successful completion of general pediatrics residency, some physicians may choose to continue their graduate medical education with subspecialty training. Board-certified subspecialists complete additional training and qualifying examinations beyond those required for board certification in pediatrics. Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics certifies the following fellowships:

• • • Adolescent Medicine
    • Child Abuse Pediatrics
    • Developmental And Behavioral Pediatrics
    • Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology
    • Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
    • Pediatric Cardiology
    • Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
    • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
    • Pediatric Endocrinology
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology
    • Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
    • Pediatric Infectious Disease
    • Pediatric Nephrology
    • Pediatric Pulmonology

What are the best pediatrics residencies in the country?

The best residency for pediatrics, or any specialty, is very driven by personal preference and situation. How close you are to family, loved ones, the type of training environment, the opportunities available are all things to take into consideration above and beyond name recognition of a program. However, there are some highly regarded names in the world of pediatrics including:

• • Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania
  • Stanford
  • UCLA
  • University of Cincinnati

Much of the data above is available from the AAMC Charting the Outcomes report.

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