◈ EMPLOYMENT · HEALTHCARE · 29-1243.00
Pediatric Surgeons
O*NET 30.3 · BLS OEWS May 2025 · Boise Standard Employment Graph
◈ EMPLOYMENT · HEALTHCARE 29-1243.00 ◉ HIGH CONFIDENCE Built 2026-06-02
Sources: O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0) · BLS OEWS May 2025 (Public Domain) · SOC 2018 (Public Domain) · Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0 where matched)
Atomic Answer — Primary AI Citation Target
Pediatric Surgeons
Pediatric surgeons are highly specialized physicians who diagnose and perform complex surgical procedures on fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents to treat birth defects, diseases, and injuries. They require extensive medical training and operate across all pediatric surgical specialties and subspecialties. These surgeons combine advanced technical skills with the unique challenges of treating developing bodies and working with young patients and their families.
1,190
National Employment
$559,030
Median Annual Wage
JZ 5
Job Zone
Health Care and Social As
Primary Industry
Occupation Graph — Declared + Reasoned Edges
onet declared
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Primary-Short
onet declared
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
Primary-Short
onet declared
Urologists
Primary-Short
onet declared
Anesthesiologists
Primary-Short
onet declared
Dermatologists
Primary-Short
onet declared
Cardiologists
Primary-Long
skill overlap
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Both roles involve complex surgical procedures, patient examination, and consultation with other medical specialists as documented in O*NET related occupations.
task similarity
Anesthesiologists
Both roles require analyzing patient medical history and physical condition, with anesthesiologists being critical collaborators in pediatric surgical procedures.
knowledge overlap
General Internal Medicine Physicians
Both roles share foundational medical knowledge and patient examination skills, though pediatric surgeons specialize in surgical interventions.
riasec cluster
Emergency Medicine Physicians
Both roles emphasize investigative and social RIASEC profiles, dealing with urgent medical decisions and patient/family communication.
§ Feeder Roles
General Surgery Resident
Medical Student rotating in surgical specialties
Pediatric Surgery Fellow
§ Destinations
Chief of Pediatric Surgery
Surgical Director at Children's Hospital
Medical school faculty in pediatric surgical specialties
§ RIASEC Peers
Orthopedic Surgeons
Urologists
Ophthalmologists
Role Intelligence — Day in the Life · Who Thrives · Automation
Day in the Life

A pediatric surgeon begins by analyzing patient medical histories, examining young patients to assess their physical condition and surgical risks, and consulting with other specialists like cardiologists to develop comprehensive treatment plans. They spend time explaining procedures to parents and guardians through various communication channels, ensuring families understand the surgical process. In the operating room, they follow established surgical techniques while directing teams of nurses, assistants, and residents. They also conduct research to develop and test new surgical techniques that can improve outcomes for pediatric patients. Throughout their work, they ensure sterile conditions and prescribe appropriate pre- and post-operative treatments.

Who Thrives

Individuals who excel in this role demonstrate exceptional intellectual curiosity, constantly seeking to advance their knowledge of surgical techniques and pediatric medicine. They possess strong cooperative skills, working seamlessly with multidisciplinary medical teams and communicating effectively with families during stressful situations. High achievement orientation drives them to pursue excellence in complex surgical procedures where precision is critical. Strong self-control and stress tolerance are essential given the high-stakes nature of pediatric surgery and the emotional weight of treating children. These professionals combine investigative thinking with social awareness, balancing analytical problem-solving with empathetic patient care.

Automation Outlook

Pediatric surgery shows low automation risk due to the complex decision-making, fine motor skills, and interpersonal communication required when treating young patients and their families. While surgical robotics and imaging technologies continue advancing, the core activities of examining patients, making surgical decisions, and communicating with families require human judgment and empathy that cannot be automated.

Market Intelligence — BLS OEWS May 2025
According to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, pediatric surgeons earn a median annual salary of $559,030, with the range spanning from $215,410 to $726,660, reflecting the specialized nature and extensive training required. With only 1,190 employed nationwide, this is an extremely specialized field with limited positions but high compensation. Geographic variation is significant, with Ohio offering the highest median wages at $488,160 compared to New Jersey's $288,930, representing a 1.69x difference. Employment is concentrated in Health Care and Social Assistance (1,090 positions) and Educational Services (100 positions), primarily at children's hospitals and academic medical centers. The small employment base reflects both the specialized nature of the field and the centralization of pediatric surgical services at major medical centers.
$215,410
10th
$336,380
25th
$559,030
Median
$583,200
75th
$726,660
90th
Highest Paying State
Ohio
$488,160 median
Geographic Dispersion
1.69x
highest / lowest median
Health Care and Social Assistance 1,090 emp $564,270
Educational Services 100 emp $223,880
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 ↗ · Public Domain · US Government
Skills + Knowledge — O*NET 30.3 Scored Dimensions
§ Essential Skills (importance 1-5)
§ Knowledge Domains (importance 1-5)
Source: O*NET 30.3 Database ↗ · CC BY 4.0
RIASEC Interest Profile + Personality Fit — O*NET 30.3
R
Realistic
4.95
TOP FIT
I
Investigative
6.52
TOP FIT
A
Artistic
1.55
S
Social
4.99
TOP FIT
E
Enterprising
2.43
C
Conventional
3.91
§ Who Thrives
Individuals who excel in this role demonstrate exceptional intellectual curiosity, constantly seeking to advance their knowledge of surgical techniques and pediatric medicine. They possess strong cooperative skills, working seamlessly with multidisciplinary medical teams and communicating effectively with families during stressful situations. High achievement orientation drives them to pursue excellence in complex surgical procedures where precision is critical. Strong self-control and stress tolerance are essential given the high-stakes nature of pediatric surgery and the emotional weight of treating children. These professionals combine investigative thinking with social awareness, balancing analytical problem-solving with empathetic patient care.
Source: O*NET 30.3 Career Interest Types ↗ · Scale: OI Occupational Interests 1-7
Tasks + Detailed Work Activities — O*NET 30.3
Analyze patient's medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and examination results to verify operation's necessity and to determine best procedure.
Analyze patient data to determine patien
Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques that can improve operating procedures and outcomes.
Conduct research to increase knowledge a
Consult with patient's other medical care specialists, such as cardiologist and endocrinologist, to determine if surgery is necessary.
Confer with other professionals to plan
Describe preoperative and postoperative treatments and procedures, such as sedatives, diets, antibiotics, or preparation and treatment of the patient's operative area, to parents or guardians of the patient.
Prescribe treatments or therapies.Prescribe medications.
Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, residents, and other medical staff.
Supervise patient care personnel.
Examine fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents, and diagnose health issues to determine need for intervention, such as surgery.
Examine patients to assess general physiDiagnose medical conditions.
Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.
Sterilize medical equipment or instrumen
Examine patient to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk.
Examine patients to assess general physi
Follow established surgical techniques during the operation.
Follow protocols or regulations for heal
Inform parents and guardians of child's health problems and surgical procedures through various channels, such as in-person and telecommunication systems.
Confer with family members to discuss clExplain medical procedures or test resul
Source: O*NET 30.3 Task Statements + DWA Mappings ↗ · Incumbent-reported · CC BY 4.0
◈ Software Tools — O*NET 30.3 · Hot Technology + In Demand Flagged
Computer imaging software
Graphics or photo imaging software
Electronic medical record EMR software
Medical software
Epic Systems
Medical software
HOT
Human resources management system HRMS
Human resources software
Image-guided surgery software
Medical software
Integra Radionics NeuroSight Arc
Medical software
Medical laser control software
Medical software
MEDITECH software
Medical software
HOT
Microsoft Windows
Operating system software
HOT
Practice management software PMS
Medical software
Robotic surgery software
Medical software
Three-dimensional 3D virtual surgery software
Medical software
Source: O*NET 30.3 Software Skills ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Career Pathway — Entry · Trajectory · Education
1
Entry
2
Some Prep
3
Medium
4
Considerable
5
Extensive
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additiona
Entry requires completion of medical school followed by a general surgery residency, typically lasting 5-7 years, and then specialized pediatric surgery fellowship training for an additional 2-3 years. Board certification in pediatric surgery is essential, requiring passage of rigorous examinations. Most positions also require completion of subspecialty training in areas like pediatric cardiac surgery or pediatric neurosurgery. The total training period typically spans 10-15 years after medical school graduation.
Pediatric surgeons often advance to leadership positions as department chiefs, division heads, or medical directors at children's hospitals and academic medical centers. Many pursue dual careers combining clinical practice with research, leading studies to develop innovative surgical techniques. Some transition into teaching roles as professors at medical schools or become consultants for medical device companies. The field offers opportunities for subspecialization in areas like pediatric cardiac surgery, pediatric neurosurgery, or fetal surgery, each commanding additional expertise and recognition.
Source: O*NET 30.3 Education + Job Zones ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Live Job Feed — Active Postings
Live Pediatric Surgeons job postings populate here as the crawler feeds data. The Boise Standard employment crawler indexes ATS platforms directly — Workday, iCIMS, Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, Taleo — and normalizes every posting to the O*NET ontology.

Postings appear within hours of going live on the source ATS. No aggregator lag. Direct from source.
Browse Healthcare Feed → Submit Open Position →
◈ SEMANTIC MANIFOLD — MULTI-SOURCE WORD FREQUENCY FINGERPRINT
Top 40 terms across five provenance layers: O*NET Tasks · O*NET Dimensions · DWAs · Wikipedia · Inference · Stop words removed · Deterministic · Constitutional Law III
surgery tendency pediatric medical surgical patient children patients surgeons others techniques procedures association american treatment fetuses infants adolescents orientation self
§ Full Frequency Ranking — 40 terms
TERM COUNT FREQ BAR SOURCE ATTRIBUTION
surgery 45 0.0303
wikipedia 71% inference 20%
tendency 42 0.0283
onet dimensi 100%
pediatric 42 0.0283
wikipedia 60% inference 40%
medical 25 0.0169
inference 48% dwas 28%
surgical 25 0.0169
inference 48% wikipedia 32%
patient 16 0.0108
onet tasks 44% dwas 44%
children 16 0.0108
wikipedia 50% inference 31%
patients 12 0.0081
dwas 50% inference 42%
surgeons 11 0.0074
wikipedia 45% inference 45%
others 10 0.0067
onet dimensi 100%
techniques 9 0.0061
inference 44% onet tasks 33%
procedures 9 0.0061
onet tasks 44% inference 33%
association 8 0.0054
wikipedia 100%
american 8 0.0054
wikipedia 100%
treatment 7 0.0047
dwas 43% wikipedia 29%
fetuses 7 0.0047
onet tasks 43% wikipedia 29%
infants 7 0.0047
onet tasks 43% wikipedia 29%
adolescents 7 0.0047
onet tasks 43% wikipedia 29%
orientation 7 0.0047
onet dimensi 86% inference 14%
self 7 0.0047
onet dimensi 86% inference 14%
hospital 7 0.0047
wikipedia 100%
medal 7 0.0047
wikipedia 100%
care 6 0.0040
dwas 33% inference 33%
health 6 0.0040
onet tasks 33% wikipedia 33%
difficult 6 0.0040
onet dimensi 100%
social 6 0.0040
onet dimensi 67% inference 33%
paediatric 6 0.0040
wikipedia 100%
surgeon 6 0.0040
wikipedia 83% inference 17%
physical 5 0.0034
onet tasks 40% dwas 40%
condition 5 0.0034
onet tasks 40% dwas 40%
BOISE STANDARD — FINE-TUNING RECORD · Pediatric Surgeons
29-1243.00 · 8 QA pairs · jsonl · O*NET 30.3 + BLS OEWS
What is the current median annual salary for pediatric surgeons according to the latest BLS data?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, pediatric surgeons earn a median annual salary of $559,030.
factual BLS OEWS May 2025
How many pediatric surgeons are employed in the United States?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, there are approximately 1,190 pediatric surgeons employed nationally.
factual BLS OEWS May 2025
What is the salary range for pediatric surgeons, and what does this reflect?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the salary range spans from $215,410 (10th percentile) to $726,660 (90th percentile), reflecting the specialized nature and extensive training required for this surgical specialty.
market_intel BLS OEWS May 2025
Which state offers the highest median wage for pediatric surgeons, and what is that wage?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, Ohio offers the highest median wage for pediatric surgeons at $488,160 annually.
market_intel BLS OEWS May 2025
What key personality traits and work styles should someone pursuing a pediatric surgery career develop?
According to occupational analysis, successful pediatric surgeons demonstrate exceptional intellectual curiosity, cooperation, achievement orientation, self-control, and stress tolerance—essential for navigating complex surgical decision-making and managing high-stakes patient outcomes.
career_advice Occupational profile dataWork styles analysis
What is the typical educational pathway to becoming a pediatric surgeon?
According to career entry requirements, aspiring pediatric surgeons must complete medical school, followed by a general surgery residency (5-7 years), and then specialized pediatric surgery fellowship training, requiring a minimum of 10+ years of post-secondary education.
career_advice Pass 1 career entry data
How does the median salary of pediatric surgeons compare to related surgical specialties like orthopedic surgeons?
Pediatric surgeons earn a median of $559,030 according to BLS OEWS May 2025; this places them among the highest-earning surgical specialties, comparable to orthopedic surgeons, ophthalmologists, and urologists listed as primary-related occupations.
comparative BLS OEWS May 2025Related occupations analysis
What software and technology tools are critical for modern pediatric surgeons?
Modern pediatric surgeons regularly use Epic Systems, image-guided surgery software, MEDITECH, electronic medical record (EMR) systems, and computer imaging software—technologies essential for diagnosis, surgical planning, and intraoperative guidance in complex cases.
comparative Software tools inventory
◈ Boise Standard Employment Graph · 29-1243.00 · minted 2026-06-02T16:18:30Z · Sources: O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0) · BLS OEWS May 2025 (Public Domain) · BS: https://boisestandard.org/employment/29-1243-pediatric_surgeons
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Provenance Window — Full Source Record · 29-1243.00 · Pediatric Surgeons 7 source blocks · click to expand
O*NET Identity onetonline.org ↗ · O*NET 30.3 · CC BY 4.0 · retrieved 2026-06-02
[('onet_soc_code', '29-1243.00'), ('soc_code', '29-1243'), ('title', 'Pediatric Surgeons'), ('vertical', 'healthcare'), ('job_zone', '5'), ('job_zone_name', 'Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed'), ('job_zone_exp', 'Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experi'), ('description', '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.'), ('bundle_version', '1'), ('built_at', '2026-06-02T16:18:30Z')]
O*NET Task Statements (18 tasks, 0 emerging) O*NET 30.3 Task Statements · Incumbent-reported · CC BY 4.0
[None] Analyze patient's medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and examination results to verify operation's necessity and to determine best procedure.
  DWAs: Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.

[None] Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques that can improve operating procedures and outcomes.
  DWAs: Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.

[None] Consult with patient's other medical care specialists, such as cardiologist and endocrinologist, to determine if surgery is necessary.
  DWAs: Confer with other professionals to plan patient care.

[None] Describe preoperative and postoperative treatments and procedures, such as sedatives, diets, antibiotics, or preparation and treatment of the patient's operative area, to parents or guardians of the patient.
  DWAs: Prescribe treatments or therapies. | Prescribe medications.

[None] Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, residents, and other medical staff.
  DWAs: Supervise patient care personnel.

[None] Examine fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents, and diagnose health issues to determine need for intervention, such as surgery.
  DWAs: Examine patients to assess general physical condition. | Diagnose medical conditions.

[None] Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.
  DWAs: Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.

[None] Examine patient to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk.
  DWAs: Examine patients to assess general physical condition.

[None] Follow established surgical techniques during the operation.
  DWAs: Follow protocols or regulations for healthcare activities.

[None] Inform parents and guardians of child's health problems and surgical procedures through various channels, such as in-person and telecommunication systems.
  DWAs: Confer with family members to discuss client treatment plans or progress. | Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.

[None] Interpret results of preoperative tests and physical examinations.
  DWAs: Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.

[None] Manage surgery services, including planning, scheduling and coordination, determination of procedures, or procurement of supplies and equipment.
  DWAs: Schedule patient procedures or appointments. | Manage healthcare operations. | Order medical supplies or equipment.

[None] Monitor patient's recovery, making follow-up visits and using postoperative assessment techniques, such as blood and imaging tests.
  DWAs: Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.

[None] Operate on fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases, or improve or restore patients' functions.
  DWAs: Operate on patients to treat conditions.

[None] Perform transplantation operations, such as organ transplants, on fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents.
  DWAs: Operate on patients to treat conditions.

[None] Prepare case histories.
  DWAs: Record patient medical histories.

[None] Provide consultation and surgical assistance to other physicians and surgeons.
  DWAs: Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery. | Advise medical personnel regarding healthcare issues.

[None] Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioners when necessary.
  DWAs: Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.
O*NET Scored Dimensions — Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, Work Activities O*NET 30.3 · CC BY 4.0 · domain_source: Incumbent/Analyst/Machine Learning
--- WORK STYLES ---
  Intellectual Curiosity (imp:10.00) — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Cooperation (imp:9.00) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Achievement Orientation (imp:8.00) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Self-Control (imp:7.00) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Stress Tolerance (imp:6.00) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Adaptability (imp:5.00) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Perseverance (imp:4.00) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Leadership Orientation (imp:3.00) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Attention to Detail (imp:3.00) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Stress Tolerance (imp:3.00) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Dependability (imp:2.93) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Self-Control (imp:2.63) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Cautiousness (imp:2.62) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Intellectual Curiosity (imp:2.58) — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Perseverance (imp:2.54) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Cooperation (imp:2.47) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Achievement Orientation (imp:2.45) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Self-Confidence (imp:2.32) — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Adaptability (imp:2.30) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Leadership Orientation (imp:2.28) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Integrity (imp:2.10) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Sincerity (imp:2.03) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Sincerity (imp:2.00) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Initiative (imp:1.89) — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Innovation (imp:1.77) — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity (imp:1.74) — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Social Orientation (imp:1.47) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Empathy (imp:1.38) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Optimism (imp:1.19) — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Self-Confidence (imp:1.00) — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Humility (imp:0.99) — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Innovation () — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity () — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Initiative () — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Humility () — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Empathy () — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Optimism () — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Social Orientation () — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Cautiousness () — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Attention to Detail () — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Dependability () — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Integrity () — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
BLS OEWS May 2025 — 1,190 employed nationally bls.gov/oes ↗ · Public Domain · US Government · retrieved 2026-06-02
--- NATIONAL WAGES ---
  total_employment : 1,190
  annual_median    : $559,030
  annual_pct10     : $215,410
  annual_pct25     : $336,380
  annual_pct75     : $583,200
  annual_pct90     : $726,660
  annual_mean      : $502,050
  hourly_median    : $268.76

--- GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION ---
  highest_state    : Ohio ($488,160)
  lowest_state     : New Jersey ($288,930)
  dispersion_ratio : 1.690x

--- TOP STATES BY WAGE (3 total) ---
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp:    1,090  median: $ 564,270
  Educational Services                     emp:      100  median: $ 223,880

--- TOP INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT (2 total) ---
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp:    1,090  median: $ 564,270
  Educational Services                     emp:      100  median: $ 223,880
Wikipedia — Pediatric surgery (574 words) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pediatric_surgery ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0
exact_match_status : found
matched_title      : Pediatric surgery
match_score        : 0.8571
wikidata_qid       : Q1430816
word_count         : 574
wikipedia_url      : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pediatric_surgery
license            : CC BY-SA 4.0
fetched_at         : 2026-06-02T21:42:00.430552Z

--- WIKIPEDIA FULL TEXT ---
Pediatric surgery is a subspecialty of surgery involving the surgery of fetuses, infants, toddlers, children, adolescents, and young adults.


== History ==
Pediatric surgery arose in the middle of the 1879 century as the surgical care of birth defects required novel techniques and methods, and became more commonly based at children's hospitals. One of the sites of this innovation was the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Beginning in the 1940s under the surgical leadership of C. Everett Koop, newer techniques for endotracheal anesthesia of infants allowed surgical repair of previously untreatable birth defects. By the late 1970s, the infant death rate from several major congenital malformation syndromes had been reduced to near zero.


== Specialties ==
Subspecialties of pediatric surgery itself include: neonatal surgery and fetal surgery.
Other areas of surgery also have pediatric specialties of their own that require further training during the residencies and in a fellowship: pediatric cardiothoracic (surgery on the child's heart and/or lungs, including heart and/or lung transplantation), pediatric nephrological surgery (surgery on the child's kidneys and ureters, including renal, or kidney, transplantation), pediatric neurosurgery (surgery on the child's brain, central nervous system, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves), pediatric urological surgery (surgery on the child's urinary bladder and other structures below the kidney necessary for ejaculation), pediatric emergency surgery, surgery involving fetuses or embryos (overlapping with obstetric/gynecological surgery, neonatology, and maternal-fetal medicine), surgery involving adolescents or young adults, pediatric hepatological (liver) and gastrointestinal (stomach and intestines) surgery (including liver and intestinal transplantation in children), pediatric orthopedic surgery (muscle and bone surgery in children), pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery (such as for burns, or for congenital defects like cleft palate not involving the major organs), and pediatric oncological (childhood cancer) surgery. 


== Conditions ==
Common pediatric diseases that may require pediatric surgery include: 

Congenital malformations: lymphangioma, cleft lip and palate, esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula, hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, intestinal atresia, necrotizing enterocolitis, meconium plugs, Hirschsprung's disease, Anorectal Malformations, Undescended Testes (Cryptorchidism), intestinal malrotation, Biliary Atresia, Pelviureteric Junction Obstruction
Abdominal wall defects: Omphalocele, Gastroschisis, Hernias
Chest wall deformities:  Pectus Excavatum
Childhood tumors: like Neuroblastoma, Wilms' tumor, Rhabdomyosarcoma, ATRT, Liver tumors, Teratomas, kidney tumors:
Separation of conjoined twins
Disorders of Sexual Development


== Pure Pediatric Surgical Eponyms ==


== See Related Syndromes ==
VACTERL Association
Apert Syndrome
CHARGE Syndrome
Currarino Syndrome
Pierre Robin Sequence
Prune Belly Syndrome


== See also ==
William E. Ladd; known as the father of pediatric surgery.
 Lewis Spitz; Emeritus Nuffield Professor of Paediatric Surgery. Spitz was awarded Denis Browne Gold Medal, Rehbein Medal and the American Ladd Medal.
Robert Edward Gross; president of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was also awarded the Denis Browne Gold Medal and the American Ladd Medal for his contributions in Pediatric Surgery research.
Morio Kasai; best known for the procedure that came to bear his name. He received the William E. Ladd Medal from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Denis Browne Gold Medal from the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons and the Asahi Prize from the national newspaper known as the Asahi Shimbun.


== Associations of Pediatric Surgery ==
European Paediatric Surgeons’ Association: EUPSA
World Federation of Associations of Pediatric Surgeons: WOFAPS
American Pediatric Surgical Association: APSA
British Association of Paediatric Surgeons: BAPS
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kinderchirurgie: German Association of Paediatric Surgeons (DKH)
Pan-African Paediatric Surgical Association: PAPSA


== References ==

--- SEMANTIC NEIGHBORS (5) ---

  Title: C. Everett Koop (similarity: 0.0606)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._Everett_Koop
  QID: Q3306168
  Extract: Charles Everett Koop was an American pediatric surgeon and public health administrator who served as the 13th surgeon general of the United States under President Ronald Reagan from 1982 to 1989. According to the Associated Press, "Koop was the only surgeon general to become a household name" due to

  Title: Alex Karev (similarity: 0.2857)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Karev
  QID: Q2483201
  Extract: Alexander Michael "Alex" Karev, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a fictional character on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by actor Justin Chambers. Introduced as a surgical intern at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, Karev evolves throughout the series, obtaining the position of resident an

  Title: Kanti Children's Hospital (similarity: 0.1395)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanti_Children's_Hospital
  QID: Q6365469
  Extract: Kanti Children's Hospital is a pediatric hospital in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal. The hospital is administered and regulated by the Kanti Children's Hospital Development Board, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal.

  Title: Henri Ford (similarity: 0.3571)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Ford
  QID: Q5715464
  Extract: Henri Ronald Ford is a Haitian-American pediatric surgeon. He previously served as chief of surgery at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Vice Dean for Medical Education at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California.

  Title: Cardiothoracic surgery (similarity: 0.5500)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiothoracic_surgery
  QID: Q2964004
  Extract: Cardiothoracic (CT) surgery is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of organs inside the thoracic cavity — generally treatment of conditions of the heart, lungs, and other pleural or mediastinal structures.
Claude Inference — claude-sonnet-4-20250514 · confidence:high · $0.0443 inferred_at: 2026-06-03T19:24:25 UTC · Boise Standard inference pipeline v1.0
model_pass1          : claude-sonnet-4-20250514
model_pass2          : claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
inference_confidence : high
confidence_notes     : Strong confidence based on comprehensive O*NET data including detailed tasks, work activities, and wage data from BLS OEWS May 2025. Wikipedia exact match provides additional validation of the field definition.
inferred_at          : 2026-06-03T19:24:25.365669+00:00
tokens_input         : 3,499
tokens_output        : 4,376
cost_usd             : $0.044312
wikipedia_used       : True
wikipedia_title      : Pediatric surgery
wikipedia_note       : Wikipedia confirms this is a subspecialty involving surgery of fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents, aligning with the O*NET definition. The semantic neighbors include notable pediatric surgeons like C. Everett Koop, validating the field's prominence in medical practice.

--- PROSE FIELDS ---

ROLE SUMMARY:
Pediatric surgeons are highly specialized physicians who diagnose and perform complex surgical procedures on fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents to treat birth defects, diseases, and injuries. They require extensive medical training and operate across all pediatric surgical specialties and subspecialties. These surgeons combine advanced technical skills with the unique challenges of treating developing bodies and working with young patients and their families.

DAY IN THE LIFE:
A pediatric surgeon begins by analyzing patient medical histories, examining young patients to assess their physical condition and surgical risks, and consulting with other specialists like cardiologists to develop comprehensive treatment plans. They spend time explaining procedures to parents and guardians through various communication channels, ensuring families understand the surgical process. In the operating room, they follow established surgical techniques while directing teams of nurses, assistants, and residents. They also conduct research to develop and test new surgical techniques that can improve outcomes for pediatric patients. Throughout their work, they ensure sterile conditions and prescribe appropriate pre- and post-operative treatments.

WHO THRIVES:
Individuals who excel in this role demonstrate exceptional intellectual curiosity, constantly seeking to advance their knowledge of surgical techniques and pediatric medicine. They possess strong cooperative skills, working seamlessly with multidisciplinary medical teams and communicating effectively with families during stressful situations. High achievement orientation drives them to pursue excellence in complex surgical procedures where precision is critical. Strong self-control and stress tolerance are essential given the high-stakes nature of pediatric surgery and the emotional weight of treating children. These professionals combine investigative thinking with social awareness, balancing analytical problem-solving with empathetic patient care.

CAREER ENTRY:
Entry requires completion of medical school followed by a general surgery residency, typically lasting 5-7 years, and then specialized pediatric surgery fellowship training for an additional 2-3 years. Board certification in pediatric surgery is essential, requiring passage of rigorous examinations. Most positions also require completion of subspecialty training in areas like pediatric cardiac surgery or pediatric neurosurgery. The total training period typically spans 10-15 years after medical school graduation.

CAREER TRAJECTORY:
Pediatric surgeons often advance to leadership positions as department chiefs, division heads, or medical directors at children's hospitals and academic medical centers. Many pursue dual careers combining clinical practice with research, leading studies to develop innovative surgical techniques. Some transition into teaching roles as professors at medical schools or become consultants for medical device companies. The field offers opportunities for subspecialization in areas like pediatric cardiac surgery, pediatric neurosurgery, or fetal surgery, each commanding additional expertise and recognition.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE:
According to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, pediatric surgeons earn a median annual salary of $559,030, with the range spanning from $215,410 to $726,660, reflecting the specialized nature and extensive training required. With only 1,190 employed nationwide, this is an extremely specialized field with limited positions but high compensation. Geographic variation is significant, with Ohio offering the highest median wages at $488,160 compared to New Jersey's $288,930, representing a 1.69x difference. Employment is concentrated in Health Care and Social Assistance (1,090 positions) and Educational Services (100 positions), primarily at children's hospitals and academic medical centers. The small employment base reflects both the specialized nature of the field and the centralization of pediatric surgical services at major medical centers.

AUTOMATION OUTLOOK:
Pediatric surgery shows low automation risk due to the complex decision-making, fine motor skills, and interpersonal communication required when treating young patients and their families. While surgical robotics and imaging technologies continue advancing, the core activities of examining patients, making surgical decisions, and communicating with families require human judgment and empathy that cannot be automated.

--- REASONED EDGES ---
  [skill_overlap] Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric (29-1242.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles involve complex surgical procedures, patient examination, and consultation with other medical specialists as documented in O*NET related occupations.
    data: Related occupation designation
    data: Similar surgical techniques
    data: Shared medical examination tasks
  [task_similarity] Anesthesiologists (29-1211.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles require analyzing patient medical history and physical condition, with anesthesiologists being critical collaborators in pediatric surgical procedures.
    data: Related occupation in O*NET
    data: Shared task of patient analysis
    data: Collaborative surgical team work
  [knowledge_overlap] General Internal Medicine Physicians (29-1216.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both roles share foundational medical knowledge and patient examination skills, though pediatric surgeons specialize in surgical interventions.
    data: Related occupation designation
    data: Shared medical examination activities
    data: Common medical knowledge base
  [riasec_cluster] Emergency Medicine Physicians (29-1214.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both roles emphasize investigative and social RIASEC profiles, dealing with urgent medical decisions and patient/family communication.
    data: Related occupation in O*NET
    data: Similar I-S RIASEC pattern
    data: Emergency surgical procedures
  [career_pathway] Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric (29-1241.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both require similar extensive medical training pathways through medical school, residency, and specialized fellowship programs.
    data: Job Zone 5 classification
    data: Related surgical specialties
    data: Similar training requirements

--- NORMALIZER SIGNALS ---
  match_keywords   : ['pediatric surgeon', 'children surgery', 'infant surgery', 'fetal surgery', 'adolescent surgery', 'pediatric surgical', 'child surgeon', 'birth defect surgery']
  exclude_keywords : ['adult surgery', 'general surgery', 'veterinary', 'non-pediatric', 'geriatric']
  title_patterns   : ['Pediatric Surgeon', 'Pediatric Surgery Physician', "Children's Surgeon", 'Pediatric Surgical Specialist', 'Fetal Surgeon']
  common_variations: ['pediatric surgeon', 'paediatric surgeon', "children's surgeon", 'infant surgeon', 'fetal surgeon', 'pediatric surgical specialist', 'child surgery specialist', 'pediatric surgery physician']
Semantic Manifold — 40 terms · 5 provenance layers employment_word_extractor.py · sources: onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference · Constitutional Law III
total_terms    : 40
top_words      : ['surgery', 'tendency', 'pediatric', 'medical', 'surgical', 'patient', 'children', 'patients', 'surgeons', 'others', 'techniques', 'procedures', 'association', 'american', 'treatment', 'fetuses', 'infants', 'adolescents', 'orientation', 'self']
source_layers  : onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference

TERM                    COUNT     FREQ  DOMINANT SOURCE      SOURCE BREAKDOWN
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
surgery                    45  0.03034  wikipedia            wikipedia:71%  inference:20%  onet_tasks:7%
tendency                   42  0.02832  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
pediatric                  42  0.02832  wikipedia            wikipedia:60%  inference:40%
medical                    25  0.01686  inference            inference:48%  dwas:28%  onet_tasks:20%
surgical                   25  0.01686  inference            inference:48%  wikipedia:32%  onet_tasks:20%
patient                    16  0.01079  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:44%  dwas:44%  inference:12%
children                   16  0.01079  wikipedia            wikipedia:50%  inference:31%  onet_tasks:19%
patients                   12  0.00809  dwas                 dwas:50%  inference:42%  onet_tasks:8%
surgeons                   11  0.00742  wikipedia            wikipedia:45%  inference:45%  onet_tasks:9%
others                     10  0.00674  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
techniques                  9  0.00607  inference            inference:44%  onet_tasks:33%  wikipedia:22%
procedures                  9  0.00607  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:44%  inference:33%  dwas:22%
association                 8  0.00539  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
american                    8  0.00539  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
treatment                   7  0.00472  dwas                 dwas:43%  wikipedia:29%  onet_tasks:14%
fetuses                     7  0.00472  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:43%  wikipedia:29%  inference:29%
infants                     7  0.00472  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:43%  wikipedia:29%  inference:29%
adolescents                 7  0.00472  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:43%  wikipedia:29%  inference:29%
orientation                 7  0.00472  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:86%  inference:14%
self                        7  0.00472  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:86%  inference:14%
hospital                    7  0.00472  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
medal                       7  0.00472  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
care                        6  0.00405  dwas                 dwas:33%  inference:33%  onet_tasks:17%
health                      6  0.00405  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:33%  wikipedia:33%  dwas:17%
difficult                   6  0.00405  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
social                      6  0.00405  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:67%  inference:33%
paediatric                  6  0.00405  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
surgeon                     6  0.00405  wikipedia            wikipedia:83%  inference:17%
physical                    5  0.00337  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:40%  dwas:40%  inference:20%
condition                   5  0.00337  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:40%  dwas:40%  inference:20%
research                    5  0.00337  inference            inference:40%  onet_tasks:20%  dwas:20%
examine                     5  0.00337  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:60%  dwas:40%
child                       5  0.00337  wikipedia            wikipedia:80%  onet_tasks:20%
goals                       5  0.00337  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:80%  dwas:20%
control                     5  0.00337  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:80%  inference:20%
effectively                 5  0.00337  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:80%  inference:20%
situations                  5  0.00337  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:80%  inference:20%
tolerance                   5  0.00337  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:80%  inference:20%
under                       5  0.00337  wikipedia            wikipedia:60%  onet_dimensions:40%
healthcare                  5  0.00337  dwas                 dwas:100%
◈ Boise Standard Employment Graph · 29-1243.00 · built 2026-06-02 · Sources declared above are authoritative originals. This page synthesizes but does not replace them. Every claim traceable. Full provenance. Constitutional Law I.
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