Sutter Health logo
Sutter Health
Sacramento, California

Physician, Hospitalist - Pediatrics - per diem (Sacramento, CA)

PediatricsIncludes callPer Diem

Listed compensation

$145-$179/hr

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 6mo ago

Job Description

Opportunity Information

Sutter Medical Group (SMG) seeks to hire a per diem BE/BC Pediatric Hospitalist to join our dynamic team in Sacramento, CA.

Join a high-performing pediatric hospital medicine team in a thriving tertiary care children’s center.

We invite a dedicated Pediatric Hospitalist to join our well-established, collaborative pediatric hospital medicine program in a per diem. This is an exciting opportunity for a physician who is passionate about caring for medically complex children in a dynamic, high-acuity environment while contributing to medical education, quality improvement, and program development.

Our team thrives in a fast-paced clinical setting that values interdisciplinary collaboration, academic engagement, and innovation in pediatric inpatient care.

Clinical Environment

You will provide care for a diverse and medically complex pediatric population within a 40-bed general pediatric unit located in a tertiary care children’s center.

The Center Also Includes

  • 20-bed CVICU/PICU
  • Northern California’s largest NICU
  • Robust newborn nursery service

Pediatric Emergency Department

  • Physicians work closely with a comprehensive complement of pediatric medical and surgical subspecialists, supported by a multidisciplinary team including social work, integrative medicine, pediatric pharmacy, and other pediatric-focused services.
  • Program Structure
  • 3 acute care teams daily
  • 2 Well-Baby Nursery teams (no delivery attendance)
  • In-house nocturnist coverage
  • Regional teleconsultation support for regional hospitals
  • Medical education participation with both residents and medical students

What We Offer

  • A highly collaborative pediatric hospital medicine team
  • Opportunities for clinical leadership and professional development
  • Teaching and academic engagement
  • Participation in quality improvement and innovation initiatives

Qualifications

Board-certified/eligible in General Pediatrics and/or Pediatric Hospital Medicine with strong inpatient experience.

  • A Commitment to caring for medically complex children.
  • Enthusiasm for teaching and interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
  • Join Us and Enjoy
  • Flexible schedules - day and night shifts needed
  • Advanced practice technology, including EPIC
  • A positive work-life balance and Northern California's natural beauty and lifestyle

Organization Details

Sutter Medical Group (SMG) is a vibrant and talented community committed to delivering safe, affordable and high-quality care. Our multi-specialty medical group is comprised of over 1,600 clinicians practicing in seven counties in northern California, most within a 50-mile radius of Sacramento.

SMG contains primary care and specialty Physicians and Advanced Practice Clinicians -- nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, licensed clinical social workers and licensed marriage and family therapists, who make up about 20% of our group.

Our clinicians not only excel in clinical practice but are also actively engaged in teaching, research, leadership, community outreach, and volunteer work. SMG has earned both local and national recognition for excellence in patient care and experience.

Community Information

Sacramento, the capital city of California, offers an exceptional quality of life that makes it a great place to live. One of the standout features of Sacramento is its vibrant food scene.

Known as the "Farm-to-Fork Capital," the city boasts a plethora of restaurants, farmers' markets, and food festivals that celebrate fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

This culinary richness is complemented by a strong sense of community, where residents enjoy a variety of local events, cultural festivals, and community activities that foster a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

Additionally, Sacramento's strategic location provides easy access to some of California's most popular destinations.

Just a short drive away, you can find yourself in the bustling city of San Francisco, enjoying the world-class wine country of Napa Valley, or experiencing the stunning natural beauty of Lake Tahoe, which offers both winter sports and summer recreational activities.

The city's proximity to diverse landscapes means residents can easily enjoy the snow-capped mountains, scenic coastlines, and lush forests. Sports enthusiasts in Sacramento also have much to cheer about. The city is home to the Sacramento Kings, an NBA team that brings exciting basketball action to the Golden 1 Center.

Moreover, the recent relocation of the Oakland A's to Sacramento has added another layer of excitement for baseball fans. With its rich cultural scene, convenient location, and passionate sports culture, Sacramento truly stands out as a dynamic and desirable place to live.

Equal Opportunity Statement

It is the policy of Sutter Health and its partners to provide equal employment for all qualified individuals; to prohibit discrimination in employment because of basis of race, color, creed, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, registered domestic partner status, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin (including possession of a driver's license issued to individuals who did not present proof of authorized presence in the U.S.), age, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military or protected veteran status, political affiliation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical condition, genetic information or any other characteristic made unlawful by local, state or federal law, ordinance or regulation.

We promote the full realization of equal employment opportunities through a positive continuing program within each medical group, company, hospital, department, and service area. Equal employment opportunities apply to every aspect of Sutter's employment policies and practices.

Key Responsibilities

Provide high-quality inpatient care for a diverse and medically complex pediatric population in a tertiary care children's center. Participate in medical education, quality improvement initiatives, and program development while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

Experience
5+ years of experience

Certifications

Board Certification

Pediatrics — Physician Career Context

In California, the Pediatrics weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$255k (66 salary observations; 252 listings), vs ~$239k nationally (331 salary observations; 1,939 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2025-12-01 through 2026-10-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.

Of the 40 active Pediatrics listings this role was benchmarked against, 8% are remote, 60% have no call, 38% require no weekends.

Pediatrics pay on WeekdayDoc is up 11.9% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top contract/1099 Pediatrician Jobs

30 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution22 jobs · 21 employers

3
<$230k
8
$230k-270k
4
$270k-310k
5
$310k-350k
2
$350k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks25 jobs · 21 employers

401k / retirement match
80%
CME allowance
60%
Relocation assistance
32%
Sign-on bonus
20%
Loan repayment
20%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Per Diem Pediatrician - Suffolk County | Outpatient Only, No Hospital Rounds, No Call | $120–$140/Hour | Pick Your ShiftsPer Diem

Care About · Riverhead, New York

$120-$140/hr
#2

Per Diem Pediatrician - Central Long Island | Outpatient Only, No Hospital Rounds, No Call | $120–$140/Hour | Pick Your ShiftsPer Diem

Care About · Baldwin, New York

$120-$140/hr
#3

Per Diem Pediatrician - Nassau County | Outpatient Only, No Hospital Rounds, No Call | $120–$140/Hour | Pick Your Shifts

$120-$140/hr
#4

General Pediatrics Physician - PRN - Coastal Kids Thousand Oaks

$125/hr
+ 28 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 5.1this job 3.9
Better work-life than 30% of Pediatrics listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 738 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes call

Living in Sacramento

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$455k
Typical market rent
$2,056/mo
Residents’ average commute
25 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
106.7
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Sutter Health logo

About Sutter Health

Hospitals and Health Care
Sacramento, California
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Professional development
Clinical leadership opportunities
Academic engagement