The woman who lives across the street from me is a hospitalist in pediatrics. Trust me- the 25 year old down the block who is in ad sales at Google out-earns her, and that’s with a BA from the non-flagship branch of our state U system. No education past the BA except for whatever seminars Google provides on “negotiating tactics” and “Getting to Yes”.
So sure- pediatrics is a notoriously low paying specialty. And opting for Hospitalist vs. joining a practice cuts that comp further. But do you want to live in a country where NOBODY goes into primary care because the economics of health care mean that you need to become an orthopedic surgeon?