All careers › Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Orthopedic surgeon: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $84,170lowest 10% earn less
- $180,61025th percentile
- $358,550median
- $530,70075th percentile
- $659,290top 10% earn more
The median orthopedic surgeon earned $358,550 a year in May 2025[1]. The job needs a doctoral or professional degree and residency training, and BLS projects 4% growth from 2025 to 2035[2][3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +4%[3]
- Openings per year
- 400[6]
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree[2]
How much do orthopedic surgeons make?
The median pay for an orthopedic surgeon was $358,550 a year in May 2025[1]. That is $172.38 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[7]. For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980[5]. The average (mean) was $373,570 a year[8].
The range is wide. Here are the annual wage boundaries from BLS:
| Measure | Annual wage | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[4] | $84,170 | |
| 25th percentile[4] | $180,610 | |
| Median[1] | $358,550 | |
| 75th percentile[4] | $530,700 | |
| 90th percentile[4] | $659,290 |
The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $84,170[4]. The highest-paid 10% earned more than $659,290[4]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[7]. Hourly, the 10th percentile was $40.46 and the 90th was $316.97[9].
These figures cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10]. About 5.5% of orthopedic surgeons were self-employed in 2025[11].
Pay by state and city
Missouri was listed first for median pay at $842,800 a year[12]. Next came West Virginia at $597,740, Wisconsin at $572,060, Montana at $560,820 and Arizona at $558,970[12]. Seven states show a median of $239,200 or more[12]. At the other end of the published list, Indiana was last at $177,710, with Iowa at $189,410 and Texas at $200,780 just above it[12].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX was listed first at $666,930[13]. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA followed at $576,130, then Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC at $572,910[13].
Pay and job counts do not line up. New York had the most jobs at 1,450, with Florida at 580 and North Carolina at 560[14]. Indiana and Ohio each had 500[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area had 1,520 jobs and a median of $341,430[15].
Show median pay in 38 states
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri[12] | $842,800 | n/a |
| West Virginia | $597,740 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $572,060 | 290 |
| Montana | $560,820 | n/a |
| Arizona | $558,970 | 110 |
| New Hampshire | $555,670 | 80 |
| Washington | $553,310 | 290 |
| Mississippi | $544,130 | n/a |
| Minnesota | $537,830 | 320 |
| Oklahoma | $530,070 | 30 |
| Nebraska | $507,770 | 200 |
| Virginia | $478,710 | 170 |
| Georgia | $474,820 | 490 |
| Florida | $473,750 | 580 |
| Illinois | $426,580 | 170 |
| New York | $414,290 | 1,450 |
| Michigan | $413,450 | 200 |
| Massachusetts | $392,300 | n/a |
| Colorado | $385,410 | 410 |
| Pennsylvania | $354,020 | 240 |
| New Jersey | $341,430 | 420 |
| Tennessee | $325,520 | 180 |
| Alabama | $324,570 | 380 |
| North Carolina | $323,630 | 560 |
| Ohio | $323,480 | 500 |
| Kansas | $311,630 | n/a |
| Arkansas | $262,470 | 350 |
| California | $253,430 | n/a |
| Alaska | $239,200+ | 30 |
| North Dakota | $239,200+ | 40 |
| Oregon | $239,200+ | 140 |
| South Carolina | $239,200+ | 100 |
| South Dakota | $239,200+ | n/a |
| Utah | $239,200+ | 80 |
| Vermont | $239,200+ | 50 |
| Texas | $200,780 | 490 |
| Iowa | $189,410 | 260 |
| Indiana | $177,710 | 500 |
How to become an orthopedic surgeon
The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers physicians and surgeons together with other related occupations, so it describes a wider group[16]. For orthopedic surgeons specifically, BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the entry education, with no work experience needed and internship or residency as the typical training[2].
- First. Earn a bachelor's degree. No specific undergraduate major is required for medical school, though applicants usually studied subjects like biology, physical science or healthcare[17].
- Second. Get into and finish medical school. Physicians typically need an M.D. or a D.O. degree[17]. Medical school takes an additional 4 years[18]. Applicants usually submit transcripts, MCAT scores and letters of recommendation[19].
- Third. Complete a residency. Nearly all graduates enter a residency in their specialty, usually in a hospital or clinic[20]. Residencies last 3 to 9 years depending on the specialty[18].
- Fourth. Get a state license. All states require one, and the rules vary by state[21]. To qualify, candidates need to finish an accredited medical school and a residency in their specialty, and licensure includes passing national exams[21][22].
- Fifth. Consider board certification and a fellowship. Board certification is not required, but it may improve job opportunities[23]. Subspecialty training, such as hand surgery, adds a fellowship of 1 to 3 years[20].
O*NET describes this job as needing extensive preparation. It says surgeons complete four years of college and then five to seven more years of specialized medical training[24]. Useful qualities include clear communication and compassion toward patients in pain or distress[25][26].
What orthopedic surgeons do
O*NET describes the job as diagnosing and operating to treat and prevent diseases of the musculoskeletal system[27]. Common tasks include:
- Reviewing a patient's history, allergies and exam results to decide if surgery is needed and which procedure fits[28].
- Examining patients to learn about their condition and surgical risk[28].
- Diagnosing bone, joint and muscle problems and treating them with medicine or surgery[28].
- Operating to correct deformities, repair injuries or restore function[28].
- Checking that instruments and the operating room are sterile[28].
- Leading nurses, assistants, residents and other medical staff[28].
- Running surgery services, including scheduling and ordering supplies[28].
- Doing research to test and improve surgical techniques[28].
Job titles reported by workers include Orthopedic Surgeon, Hand Surgeon and General Surgeon[29].
Where they work
The BLS profile for the wider physician and surgeon group lists clinical settings such as physicians' offices and hospitals[30]. Some physicians work in a group practice or healthcare organization, which helps coordinate care but gives less independence than solo practice[31]. Surgeons usually work in a sterile environment and follow set protocols to keep it that way[32]. Physicians and surgeons may stand for long periods[32].
Full-time work is the norm in this wider group, and some work more than 40 hours a week[33]. Long shifts can include irregular or overnight hours and being on call[33].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of orthopedic surgeons to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 15,500 to 16,100 jobs[3]. That compares with 3.5% growth projected for all occupations[34]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[3]. The OEWS count of 14,100 jobs covers wage and salary jobs only, which is one reason the two numbers differ[35].
BLS expects about 400 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[6]. Openings include jobs that appear when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 1.6% of workers leave the labor force and 0.4% move to a different occupation[36].
Is it a good fit?
The facts describe a job with high pay and a long, structured path in. The median wage is far above the all-occupation median[1][5]. Entry takes a doctoral or professional degree and residency[2]. The wider physician group needs 4 years of medical school and 3 to 9 years of residency after a bachelor's degree[18]. Pay varies a lot by state and by percentile[4][12]. Growth is slightly above the all-occupation rate, with about 400 openings a year[3][34][6]. Someone who wants to operate on bones and joints and can commit to the training years may find the numbers support the effort. These figures do not say what the training costs, which you would need to check separately.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an orthopedic surgeon make a year?
- The median was $358,550 a year in May 2025, and the average was $373,570[1][8]. The 10th percentile was $84,170 and the 90th was $659,290[4].
- How much does an orthopedic surgeon make an hour?
- The median was $172.38 an hour[1]. The 10th percentile was $40.46 and the 90th was $316.97[9].
- What degree do you need to be an orthopedic surgeon?
- BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the entry education, with internship or residency as typical training[2]. The wider physician group usually needs an M.D. or D.O.[17][16].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric in the US was $358,550 per year and $172.38 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Internship/residency. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 15,500 to 16,100 jobs (a change of +600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric: 10th percentile $84,170, 25th percentile $180,610, 75th percentile $530,700, 90th percentile $659,290. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 400 openings for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric was $373,570 per year and $179.60 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric: 10th percentile $40.46, 25th percentile $86.83, 75th percentile $255.15, 90th percentile $316.97. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: 5.5% of Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- Median annual wage for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric (areas with at least 100 jobs): Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $666,930; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $576,130; Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $572,910; Omaha, NE-IA $534,820; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $524,350; Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $341,810; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $341,430; Cleveland, OH $323,480. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric jobs: New York 1,450; Florida 580; North Carolina 560; Indiana 500; Ohio 500. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 1,520 (median $341,430); Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN 420; Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 400 (median $239,200 or more); San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA 230 (median $204,290); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 180 (median $576,130); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 150 (median $83,160). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Physicians and Surgeons" covers Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 29-1242.00: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. 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 additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 29-1242.00 sample job titles reported by workers: General Surgeon, Hand Surgeon, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Orthopedic Surgeon, Physician, Surgeon. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 14,100 people were employed as Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric: 1.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 0.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.