Pediatric Surgeon
SOC 29-1243.00 · ESCO 2212 · OSCA 264636
Role snapshot
Overview
Operates on infants, children, and adolescents to correct congenital abnormalities, injuries, and diseases. This highly specialized medical professional adapts surgical techniques for smaller anatomies and unique physiological needs, often performing complex procedures. Pediatric surgeons are responsible for pre-operative assessments, performing surgeries, and post-operative care, communicating extensively with families about procedures and recovery. They coordinate care with pediatricians, neonatologists, and other specialists to ensure comprehensive treatment for their young patients.
Provides life-saving and life-improving surgical interventions for children, addressing critical health issues from birth defects to traumatic injuries and oncological conditions, significantly enhancing their quality of life and long-term health outcomes.
On the job
- Perform complex surgical procedures on infants, children, and adolescents.
- Conduct pre-operative assessments and develop individualized surgical plans.
- Manage post-operative care, including pain management and wound care.
- Communicate effectively with parents/guardians, explaining diagnoses, procedures, and risks.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including pediatricians, nurses, and anesthesiologists.
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
GrowingJob growth is expected to be above average over the next five years.
Education & training
Requires extensive education including a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, followed by a general surgery residency (5-7 years), and then a pediatric surgery fellowship (2-3 years). Board certification is mandatory.
AI impact outlook
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detail
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detailWhy this role received this rating
Core task exposure
low
How much of the role’s important work could AI perform?
AI contributes to specialized diagnostic imaging and complex surgical planning, but direct surgical skill on delicate pediatric anatomies is human.
End-to-end automation
low
Can AI complete the work without substantial human involvement?
The extreme delicacy and variability of pediatric cases, coupled with ethical concerns, make autonomous end-to-end surgery unachievable.
Adoption pressure
low
How likely are employers to introduce AI into this work?
Patient safety for children is a top priority, making adoption of direct AI involvement in surgery highly cautious and strictly regulated.
Human dependence
strong
How much does success depend on human judgement, relationships and accountability?
Success relies on exquisite surgical skill, the ability to communicate empathetically with families, and profound ethical judgment in complex cases.
Protective — a higher rating lowers the overall score.
Role adaptability
strong
How easily can the role evolve as AI takes on more tasks?
The field continuously incorporates new insights into developmental biology and advanced minimally invasive techniques for pediatric patients.
Shown for context — not part of the score.
What AI may take on
These are the parts of the role most likely to be automated or significantly accelerated.
- Analyzing advanced imaging specific to pediatric anatomies for congenital anomalies
- Developing highly individualized surgical plans based on patient growth models
- Predicting outcomes and risks for complex pediatric conditions
- Synthesizing pediatric medical literature for rare disease diagnosis
- Automating certain aspects of patient charting and documentation
Where people remain essential
These parts continue to depend heavily on human judgement, relationships and accountability.
- Performing complex surgical procedures on infants, children, and adolescents
- Conducting pre-operative assessments and developing individualized surgical plans
- Managing post-operative care, including pain management and wound care tailored to children
- Communicating effectively and empathetically with parents/guardians about diagnoses and risks
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including pediatricians and anesthesiologists
- Adapting surgical techniques for smaller anatomies and unique physiological needs
How the role may evolve
Advanced diagnostics supporting intricate human skill.
Pediatric surgeons will utilize AI for more precise diagnostics and personalized planning, allowing them to dedicate even greater focus to the nuanced surgical execution and sensitive patient-family interactions.
Strengthen your future fit
- Mastery of minimally invasive pediatric surgical techniques
- Expertise in AI-powered pediatric diagnostic imaging interpretation
- Exceptional communication skills for children and their families
- Continuous learning in pediatric physiology and developmental anomalies
- Ethical decision-making in complex and sensitive cases
- Assessment horizon
- 3–7 years
- Confidence
- High
- Last reviewed
- August 2026
- Methodology
- v1.0
This assessment reflects current AI capabilities and expected adoption patterns. Actual impacts will vary by industry, employer and the way each role is performed.
Career pathways
WHERE YOU COULD GO
CURRENT ROLE
Pediatric Surgeon
Medical & Clinical
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
investigative · ISR
Individuals who are highly analytical, enjoy hands-on problem-solving, and are deeply committed to caring for others, especially children, thrive in this demanding and rewarding surgical specialty.
Personality characteristics
Inquisitive
Eager to learn and adopt new surgical techniques and medical advancements for better patient outcomes.
Meticulous
Demonstrates extreme precision, attention to detail, and thoroughness in every surgical procedure and patient interaction.
Composed
Maintains emotional stability and clear decision-making under high-stakes, stressful surgical and emergency situations.
Empathetic
Connects with children and their anxious families, offering clear communication and compassionate care.
Collaborative
Works effectively within multidisciplinary medical teams to ensure seamless patient care and optimal outcomes.
Best for
- Individuals dedicated to mastering complex surgical techniques and continuously learning in a rapidly evolving medical field.
- Professionals who thrive under pressure and can make critical, life-altering decisions with precision.
- Those deeply passionate about improving the lives of children and supporting their families through challenging medical journeys.
Watch out for
- The role demands extremely long hours, including on-call duties, emergency surgeries, and regular weekend work.
- High-stress environment with critical decisions, requiring exceptional emotional resilience and stamina.
- The emotional toll of treating critically ill children and communicating with their families can be significant.
A week in the life
A representative working week for a Pediatric Surgeon — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
Real people. Real results.
Thousands of people
can't be wrong.
Frequently asked questions about Pediatric Surgeon roles
What does a Pediatric Surgeon do?
A Pediatric Surgeon operates on infants, children, and adolescents to correct congenital abnormalities, injuries, and diseases. This highly specialized medical professional adapts surgical techniques for smaller anatomies and unique physiological needs, often performing complex procedures. Pediatric surgeons are responsible for pre-operative assessments, performing surgeries, and post-operative care, communicating extensively with families about procedures and recovery. They coordinate care with pediatricians, neonatologists, and other specialists to ensure comprehensive treatment for their young patients. Provides life-saving and life-improving surgical interventions for children, addressing critical health issues from birth defects to traumatic injuries and oncological conditions, significantly enhancing their quality of life and long-term health outcomes.
How much does a Pediatric Surgeon earn?
A Pediatric Surgeon earns a median of $400,000 per year in the US, typically ranging from $250,000 to $600,000.
What qualifications do you need to become a Pediatric Surgeon?
To become a Pediatric Surgeon, requires extensive education including a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, followed by a general surgery residency (5-7 years), and then a pediatric surgery fellowship (2-3 years). Board certification is mandatory. State Medical License.
What personality suits a Pediatric Surgeon?
Pediatric Surgeon roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 88/100) and warm and cooperative — tuned in to the people around them (Agreeableness 72/100). The traits that matter most in the role are Inquisitive, Meticulous, Composed and Empathetic. Eager to learn and adopt new surgical techniques and medical advancements for better patient outcomes. On interests, Pediatric Surgeon maps to an ISR Holland Code profile — individuals who are highly analytical, enjoy hands-on problem-solving, and are deeply committed to caring for others, especially children, thrive in this demanding and rewarding surgical specialty.
Who does a Pediatric Surgeon role suit?
A Pediatric Surgeon role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. Strong Investigative and Realistic alignment: the role demands advanced problem-solving, diagnostic skills, and precise manual dexterity. High Conscientiousness is crucial for the extreme responsibility and precision required in pediatric surgery. A significant portion of the role involves direct patient and family interaction, appealing to those with high Social interest.
What are the downsides of being a Pediatric Surgeon?
Pediatric Surgeon roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. The role demands extremely long hours, including on-call duties, emergency surgeries, and regular weekend work. High-stress environment with critical decisions, requiring exceptional emotional resilience and stamina. The emotional toll of treating critically ill children and communicating with their families can be significant.
What is the work environment like for a Pediatric Surgeon?
Work as a Pediatric Surgeon is mostly clinical-based with onsite arrangements common, semi-structured — a mix of set processes and self-directed work and high exposure to clients or stakeholders. Around 45% of the week is focused deep work.
What skills do you need to be a Pediatric Surgeon?
Core skills for a Pediatric Surgeon include Pediatric surgical techniques, Diagnostic interpretation, Critical decision-making, Family communication and Multidisciplinary team collaboration.
How do you become a Pediatric Surgeon?
Common entry routes into Pediatric Surgeon roles include Medical Student, General Surgery Resident and Pediatric Surgery Fellow.
What career progression is there for a Pediatric Surgeon?
From a Pediatric Surgeon role, common next steps include Chief of Pediatric Surgery, Academic Pediatric Surgeon (Professor/Researcher) and Medical Director of Surgical Services.
What is the job outlook for Pediatric Surgeon roles?
The outlook for Pediatric Surgeon roles is currently rated growing. Job growth is expected to be above average over the next five years.
Will AI replace Pediatric Surgeon roles?
Traitstack rates automation risk for Pediatric Surgeon roles at 15 out of 100, which is low. Delicate surgical procedures on children will still rely on expert human precision and compassionate family communication, with AI contributing primarily to specialized diagnostic and planning support. AI is most likely to take on analyzing advanced imaging specific to pediatric anatomies for congenital anomalies, developing highly individualized surgical plans based on patient growth models and predicting outcomes and risks for complex pediatric conditions. Performing complex surgical procedures on infants, children, and adolescents, conducting pre-operative assessments and developing individualized surgical plans and managing post-operative care, including pain management and wound care tailored to children stay with people. Advanced diagnostics supporting intricate human skill. That score measures how much of the work could change, not the likelihood the job disappears. It is Traitstack's current view, revisited as AI capability moves.