Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $84,170 | $40.46 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $358,550 | $172.38 |
| Mean (average) | $373,570 | $179.60 |
| 90th percentile | $659,290 | $316.97 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 40 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $324,570 | $114,990 | $387,490 | 380 | 1.97 |
| Alaska | Data unavailable | 30 | 1.05 | ||
| Arizona | $558,970 | $237,990 | $826,870 | 110 | 0.37 |
| Arkansas | $262,470 | $155,250 | $621,020 | 350 | 2.94 |
| California | $253,430 | $80,660 | $457,010 | ||
| Colorado | $385,410 | $180,610 | $641,130 | 410 | 1.56 |
| Florida | $473,750 | $228,800 | $545,620 | 580 | 0.64 |
| Georgia | $474,820 | $238,050 | $886,940 | 490 | 1.1 |
| Hawaii | Data unavailable | 50 | 0.82 | ||
| Illinois | $426,580 | $115,310 | $797,060 | 170 | 0.3 |
| Indiana | $177,710 | $177,710 | $518,510 | 500 | 1.71 |
| Iowa | $189,410 | $124,510 | $539,990 | 260 | 1.84 |
| Kansas | $311,630 | $140,160 | $492,460 | ||
| Maine | Data unavailable | 150 | 2.53 | ||
| Massachusetts | $392,300 | $200,220 | $392,380 | ||
| Michigan | $413,450 | $81,050 | $732,000 | 200 | 0.5 |
| Minnesota | $537,830 | $79,080 | 320 | 1.19 | |
| Mississippi | $544,130 | $209,620 | $621,270 | ||
| Missouri | $842,800 | $114,340 | $869,540 | ||
| Montana | $560,820 | $207,000 | $729,990 | ||
| Nebraska | $507,770 | $219,210 | $555,800 | 200 | 2.2 |
| New Hampshire | $555,670 | $69,970 | $676,240 | 80 | 1.34 |
| New Jersey | $341,430 | $215,640 | $593,680 | 420 | 1.09 |
| New York | $414,290 | $77,150 | $619,340 | 1,450 | 1.65 |
| North Carolina | $323,630 | $75,510 | $629,080 | 560 | 1.24 |
| North Dakota | Data unavailable | 40 | 1 | ||
| Ohio | $323,480 | $67,300 | $641,190 | 500 | 0.99 |
| Oklahoma | $530,070 | $156,300 | $670,540 | 30 | 0.22 |
| Oregon | Data unavailable | 140 | 0.79 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $354,020 | $87,640 | $587,790 | 240 | 0.44 |
| South Carolina | Data unavailable | 100 | 0.49 | ||
| South Dakota | Data unavailable | ||||
| Tennessee | $325,520 | $139,100 | $472,540 | 180 | 0.61 |
| Texas | $200,780 | $75,580 | $758,150 | 490 | 0.38 |
| Utah | Data unavailable | 80 | 0.51 | ||
| Vermont | Data unavailable | 50 | 1.91 | ||
| Virginia | $478,710 | $151,810 | $623,030 | 170 | 0.46 |
| Washington | $553,310 | $181,940 | $684,080 | 290 | 0.91 |
| West Virginia | $597,740 | $64,120 | $894,940 | 120 | 1.87 |
| Wisconsin | $572,060 | $78,800 | 290 | 1.08 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 400. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 5.5%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Medicine CIP 51.1201
- Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy CIP 51.1202
- Surgery of the Hand Fellowship Program CIP 61.0214
- Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program CIP 61.1501
- Orthopedic Surgery of the Spine Fellowship Program CIP 61.1504
- Orthopedic Surgery Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other CIP 61.1599
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Analyze patient's medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and examination results to verify operation's necessity and to determine best procedure.
- Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques that can improve operating procedures and outcomes related to musculoskeletal injuries and diseases.
- Diagnose bodily disorders and orthopedic conditions, and provide treatments, such as medicines and surgeries, in clinics, hospital wards, or operating rooms.
- Diagnose or treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
- Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, residents, and other medical staff.
- Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.
- Examine patient to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk.
- Follow established surgical techniques during the operation.
Technology skills
- Epic Systems (in demand)
- MEDITECH software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Computer imaging software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Human resources management system HRMS
- Image-guided surgery software
- Integra Radionics NeuroSight Arc
- Medical laser control software
- Practice management software PMS
- Robotic surgery software
- Three-dimensional 3D virtual surgery software
Common job titles: General Surgeon, Hand Surgeon, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Orthopedic Surgeon, Physician, Surgeon.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric make?
The national median annual wage for orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric was $358,550 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $84,170 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $659,290. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric need?
BLS lists doctoral or professional degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and internship/residency on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric a growing career?
BLS projects employment of orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric to change +4.0% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 400 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Missouri ($842,800), West Virginia ($597,740), Wisconsin ($572,060). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.