A comparison of the AUG and DIII-D temperature pedestals showed significant differences between electrons and ions. For high collision rates the ions are coupled to the electrons and show very similar pedestal top values and gradients. For lower collision rates both decouple and the ion pedestal becomes less steep. The electron temperature gradient scales linearly with its pedestal top value. This trend is independent of collisionality and plasma shape. The normalized total pressure gradient α shows strong correlations with the plasma shape in a way expected by peeling–ballooning theory. The different behaviours of the electron temperature gradient only and the total pedestal pressure gradient suggests a limit for the electron temperature pedestal different from linear edge magnetohydrodynamic stability.