Surgeons in the US earn wide-ranging salaries depending on specialty — from $255,000 for general surgeons to $700,000+ for neurosurgeons.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for surgeons, all other, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $80,320 | $38.62 |
| 25th | $134,850 | $64.83 |
| 50th (median) | $414,010 | $199.04 |
| 75th | $511,420 | $245.88 |
| 90th | $655,320 | $315.06 |
| Average (mean) | $373,930 | $179.77 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Surgeons, All Other (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Average Surgeon Salary by Specialty
Surgical specialty is the single largest determinant of a surgeon’s income. Neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons regularly earn $600,000–$800,000 due to the complexity of their procedures and years of sub-specialty training. General surgeons — while still earning well above most professions — sit at the lower end of the surgical pay scale at around $255,000, reflecting shorter training and broader competition.
| Specialty | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Neurosurgery | $700,000+ |
| Orthopedic surgery | $600,000+ |
| Plastic surgery | $475,000 |
| Cardiac surgery | $450,000 |
| Vascular surgery | $420,000 |
| Urology | $400,000 |
| General surgery | $255,110 |
| Colorectal surgery | $350,000 |
| Trauma surgery | $380,000 |
| Pediatric surgery | $400,000 |
Surgeon Salary by State
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | $526,650 | $231,280 | $604,890 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $503,070 | $82,230 | $437,890 |
| 3 | Iowa | $488,900 | $86,290 | $370,390 |
| 4 | Minnesota | $487,710 | $80,180 | $568,150 |
| 5 | Ohio | $482,910 | $76,820 | $554,220 |
| 6 | Georgia | $459,440 | $233,990 | $502,070 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | $450,490 | $46,490 | $416,000 |
| 8 | Oklahoma | $447,720 | $119,590 | $553,790 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $428,950 | $69,700 | $534,870 |
| 10 | Indiana | $413,140 | $91,010 | $459,300 |
| 11 | Tennessee | $408,230 | $68,710 | $373,510 |
| 12 | Arizona | $403,010 | $229,540 | $415,980 |
| 13 | Wyoming | $395,300 | $219,900 | $387,880 |
| 14 | Florida | $391,060 | $138,220 | $429,990 |
| 15 | Washington | $382,200 | $83,240 | $479,460 |
| 16 | Michigan | $380,190 | $80,920 | $412,460 |
| 17 | North Carolina | $377,270 | $149,990 | $398,410 |
| 18 | Nebraska | $372,610 | $71,160 | $341,410 |
| 19 | Illinois | $372,060 | $72,540 | $438,010 |
| 20 | Vermont | $367,210 | $175,810 | $438,530 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $353,810 | $59,650 | $468,210 |
| 22 | Mississippi | $349,910 | $94,580 | $180,420 |
| 23 | Louisiana | $349,520 | $169,740 | $304,830 |
| 24 | Idaho | $347,980 | $201,820 | $211,490 |
| 25 | Massachusetts | $346,190 | $75,980 | $387,150 |
| 26 | New York | $345,710 | $85,040 | $410,410 |
| 27 | New Mexico | $335,940 | $136,160 | $363,940 |
| 28 | Maryland | $317,130 | $85,570 | $328,700 |
| 29 | Virginia | $313,960 | $75,130 | $360,510 |
| 30 | Texas | $313,310 | $72,820 | $222,820 |
| 31 | Rhode Island | $298,710 | $199,990 | $199,990 |
| 32 | Nevada | $290,780 | $58,800 | $326,520 |
| 33 | Kentucky | $271,370 | $64,630 | $162,160 |
| 34 | California | $255,620 | $88,730 | $131,990 |
| 35 | Connecticut | $250,120 | $77,190 | $161,680 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $234,560 | $64,490 | $254,940 |
| — | National | $373,930 | $80,320 | $414,010 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Surgeons, All Other (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Surgeon Salary by Work Setting
Private practice and multispecialty groups tend to pay significantly more than hospital employment or academic positions, but they come with business overhead, less predictable income, and no employer-sponsored benefits. Academic surgeons accept lower pay in exchange for research time, teaching opportunities, and institutional prestige. Government positions like the VA system offer the lowest pay but include exceptional benefits and work-life balance.
| Setting | General Surgery | Specialty Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Private practice | $300,000+ | $600,000+ |
| Hospital employed | $255,000 | $400,000 |
| Academic medical center | $220,000 | $350,000 |
| Government/VA | $210,000 | $300,000 |
| Multispecialty group | $280,000 | $500,000 |
Surgeon Salary by Experience
| Experience Level | General Surgery | Specialty Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Resident | $65,000-$80,000 | $65,000-$80,000 |
| New attending (1-3 years) | $250,000 | $400,000 |
| Mid-career (5-10 years) | $280,000 | $550,000 |
| Experienced (15+ years) | $350,000 | $700,000+ |
| Partnership/ownership | $400,000+ | $1,000,000+ |
Path to Becoming a Surgeon
The road to becoming a surgeon is one of the longest and most expensive career paths in any profession. It requires a minimum of 13–16 years of education and training after high school, during which time future surgeons accumulate $200,000–$400,000 in student debt while earning resident wages of $65,000–$85,000. The delayed earning potential means surgeons don’t start building real wealth until their mid-30s at the earliest.
| Stage | Duration | Typical Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| College (pre-med) | 4 years | -$100,000 (debt) |
| General surgery residency | 5 years | $65,000-$85,000/year |
| Fellowship (specialty) | 1-3 years | $75,000-$90,000/year |
| Total training | 14-16 years |
Highest Paying Surgical Subspecialties
| Subspecialty | Average Salary | Training Years |
|---|---|---|
| Neurosurgery | $700,000+ | 7 years residency |
| Orthopedic spine | $750,000+ | 5+1 fellowship |
| Orthopedic surgery | $600,000+ | 5 years residency |
| Cardiothoracic surgery | $500,000+ | 5+2-3 fellowship |
| Plastic surgery | $475,000 | 6-7 years total |
| Vascular surgery | $420,000 | 5+2 fellowship |
| Surgical oncology | $400,000 | 5+2 fellowship |
| Hand surgery | $400,000 | 5+1 fellowship |
Surgeon Salary After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Income Tax | Social Security + Medicare | Take-Home Before State Tax | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $373,930 | $94,010 | $18,426 | $261,494 | $21,791 |
| $400,000 | $103,134 | $19,039 | $277,827 | $23,152 |
| $600,000 | $173,134 | $23,739 | $403,127 | $33,594 |
| $800,000 | $246,000 | $28,439 | $525,561 | $43,797 |
2026 federal income tax for a single filer taking the standard deduction ($16,100), plus Social Security and Medicare. Not included: state and local income tax, retirement contributions and other pre-tax deductions. For your own situation, use the take-home pay calculator.
Surgery Job Outlook
- Job growth: 4% (2025-2035)
- Competition: Very high for residency spots
- Lifestyle: Demanding call schedule, long hours
- Malpractice: Higher premiums than most specialties
Is Surgery Worth It?
Pros:
- Among highest-paid careers
- High job security
- Meaningful, impactful work
- Status and prestige
Cons:
- 14-16 years of training
- $200K-$400K in student debt
- Demanding lifestyle and schedule
- High stress and burnout rates
- Malpractice concerns
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes
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