Pediatric Endocrinologist Shortage Limits Care Access
Families of children with type 1 diabetes face challenges as the U.S. continues to struggle with a shortage of specialists.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Diabetes
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The United States is currently facing a persistent shortage of pediatric endocrinologists, leaving many families struggling to access specialized care for type 1 diabetes. With roughly 150 children requiring care for every available specialist, the workforce gap continues to impact patient access.
Why it matters
The shortage stems from a combination of low specialty compensation and insufficient exposure for medical trainees, creating significant barriers to treatment for the 300,000 children living with type 1 diabetes in the U.S.
A 2021 Pediatric Endocrine Society survey found that 84% of members identify salary as a primary negative factor, while fellowship data shows 8% to 20% of spots have remained unfilled annually from 2015 to 2025.
The players
American Academy of Pediatrics
A professional organization of pediatricians dedicated to the health and well-being of infants, children, and adolescents.
Pediatric Endocrine Society
A professional body of clinicians and researchers specializing in the endocrine health of children and adolescents.
Doximity
A digital platform for medical professionals that tracks physician career data and annual compensation trends.
The details
Pediatric endocrinologists earn an average of $218,266 annually, significantly lower than the $276,548 average salary for their adult-focused counterparts. This compensation gap is a major deterrent for medical residents, who also report a lack of adequate exposure to the field during their initial training. To address these deficits, the profession is now prioritizing increased mentorship through research collaboration, clinical shadowing, and diabetes camp participation to spark early interest among students.
Timeline
2015 to 2025: 8% to 20% of fellowships went unfilled annually.
2019: An American Academy of Pediatrics survey analyzed subspecialty selection.
2021: The Pediatric Endocrine Society published a survey on workplace satisfaction.
2023: Doximity published a report on physician compensation.
Health Landscape
The current workforce shortage exists against the backdrop of historical subspecialty selection patterns identified by the American Academy of Pediatrics. While efforts are underway to increase trainee exposure, the field continues to struggle with competition from higher-paying specialties.
Families facing challenges securing appointments should discuss care coordination options or alternative specialist referrals with their pediatrician. Identifying long-term support networks is essential, especially when routine access to specialized endocrinology services is delayed.
The takeaway
The pediatric endocrinology shortage creates systemic care gaps for children with type 1 diabetes. Families should consult their primary care physician to establish a robust care team and discuss strategies for maintaining consistent monitoring when local access to a specialist is limited.
Further reading
Learn more about managing long-term care for children in the Diabetes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Healio.
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