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Surgeon: Salary, Job Outlook and Education by Specialty

BLS reports surgeons by specialty. Across the 4 official occupations below, BLS counts about 49,380 workers. National median annual wages range from $300,080 to $559,030 (May 2025).

$0$200K$400K$600KPediatric surgeons$559,030Surgeons, all other$414,010Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric$358,550Ophthalmologists, except pediatric$300,080
Annual wage distribution for surgeon occupations, United States, May 2025. Highest median: Pediatric surgeons at $559,030. The bar spans the 25th to 75th percentile, the thin line spans the 10th to 90th percentile, and the red mark is the median.
Surgeon occupations compared
OccupationMedian wageEmploymentChange 2025 to 2035Typical entry education
Pediatric surgeons
SOC 29-1243
$559,0301,190+2.0%Doctoral or professional degree
Surgeons, all other
SOC 29-1249
$414,01025,140+4.0%Doctoral or professional degree
Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric
SOC 29-1242
$358,55014,100+4.0%Doctoral or professional degree
Ophthalmologists, except pediatric
SOC 29-1241
$300,0808,950+4.5%Doctoral or professional degree

Compare the top five side by side

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.