Orthopedic surgeons in the US earn an average of $500,000-$600,000 per year, making orthopedics one of the highest-paid medical specialties.
Quick Answer: Orthopedic Surgeon Salary
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average salary | $550,000-$650,000 |
| Entry-level | $450,000 |
| Experienced | $700,000+ |
| Spine surgery | $700,000-$1,000,000 |
| Private practice owner | $800,000-$1,500,000+ |
Orthopedic Surgeon Salary by Subspecialty
| Subspecialty | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Spine surgery | $750,000-$1,000,000 |
| Orthopedic oncology | $650,000-$850,000 |
| Sports medicine | $600,000-$900,000 |
| Trauma | $550,000-$700,000 |
| Total joint replacement | $550,000-$750,000 |
| Hand surgery | $500,000-$650,000 |
| Foot & ankle | $475,000-$600,000 |
| Shoulder & elbow | $500,000-$700,000 |
| Pediatric orthopedics | $450,000-$550,000 |
| General orthopedics | $500,000-$600,000 |
Orthopedic Surgeon Salary by State
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $700,000+ |
| Indiana | $680,000 |
| Michigan | $660,000 |
| Kentucky | $650,000 |
| Tennessee | $640,000 |
| Ohio | $635,000 |
| Texas | $620,000 |
| Georgia | $615,000 |
| Florida | $600,000 |
| Arizona | $590,000 |
| North Carolina | $585,000 |
| Colorado | $575,000 |
| California | $550,000 |
| New York | $530,000 |
| Massachusetts | $520,000 |
Note: Midwest and rural areas typically offer highest compensation.
Orthopedic Surgeon Salary by Setting
| Setting | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Private practice (partner) | $800,000-$1,500,000+ |
| Private practice (employed) | $550,000-$700,000 |
| Hospital employed | $500,000-$600,000 |
| Large orthopedic group | $600,000-$800,000 |
| Academic medical center | $400,000-$550,000 |
| Ambulatory surgery center | $650,000-$900,000 |
| Locum tenens | $600,000-$800,000 |
Orthopedic Surgeon Salary by Experience
| Experience Level | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| New attending (1-2 years) | $450,000-$500,000 |
| Early career (3-5 years) | $550,000-$650,000 |
| Mid-career (6-10 years) | $650,000-$800,000 |
| Established (11-20 years) | $750,000-$1,000,000 |
| Senior partner | $900,000-$1,500,000+ |
Path to Becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon
| Stage | Duration | Typical Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| College (pre-med) | 4 years | -$100,000 (debt) |
| Medical school | 4 years | -$200,000 (debt) |
| Orthopedic surgery residency | 5 years | $65,000-$90,000/yr |
| Fellowship (subspecialty) | 1 year | $75,000-$95,000/yr |
| Total training | 14-15 years |
Orthopedic Surgery Residency Competitiveness
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Residency positions per year | ~850 |
| Applicants per position | 2.5-3 |
| Match rate | 67-75% |
| Average Step 1 score (historical) | 245+ |
| Research required | Significant |
Spine Surgeon Salary Deep Dive
Spine surgery is the highest-paid orthopedic subspecialty:
| Factor | Impact on Salary |
|---|---|
| Base salary | $600,000-$800,000 |
| Complex spinal fusion cases | +$200,000-$500,000 |
| Ambulatory surgery center ownership | +$200,000-$500,000 |
| Industry consulting | +$100,000-$300,000 |
| Medical device royalties | +$100,000-$1,000,000+ |
| Total potential | $1,000,000-$3,000,000+ |
Sports Medicine Surgeon Salary
| Employment Type | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Private practice | $600,000-$900,000 |
| Academic | $400,000-$600,000 |
| Professional sports team | $500,000-$1,500,000 |
| Team physician + practice | $800,000-$1,200,000 |
Orthopedic Surgeon After-Tax Income
| Gross Salary | Federal Tax | FICA | State Tax (avg) | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $133,000 | $23,800 | $30,000 | $313,200 |
| $650,000 | $185,000 | $24,400 | $39,000 | $401,600 |
| $800,000 | $238,000 | $24,600 | $48,000 | $489,400 |
| $1,000,000 | $308,000 | $24,600 | $60,000 | $607,400 |
Orthopedic Surgeon Lifestyle
| Factor | General Ortho | Spine Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Call frequency | Heavy | Moderate-heavy |
| Surgery hours | Long | Very long |
| Physical demands | High | Very high |
| Work-life balance | Fair | Challenging |
| Career longevity | 25-30 years | 20-25 years |
| Burnout risk | Moderate | Higher |
Ancillary Income Opportunities
| Income Source | Typical Amount |
|---|---|
| ASC ownership | $100,000-$500,000/yr |
| Medical device consulting | $50,000-$300,000/yr |
| Expert witness | $500-$1,500/hr |
| Speaking/teaching | $5,000-$25,000/engagement |
| Device royalties | $50,000-$1,000,000+/yr |
| IME evaluations | $500-$2,000/case |
Orthopedic Surgery Job Outlook
- Job growth: 3% (2022-2032)
- Residency competitiveness: Very high
- Demand: Strong and growing
- Musculoskeletal trauma: Always needed