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1. What is the average salary of an orthopedic surgeon?Orthopedic Surgeon Job Description
An orthopedic surgeon is specialized in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscle conditions. They use both surgical and non-surgical methods to treat systemic diseases and injuries.
According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for physicians and surgeons is projected to grow 3% from 2022 to 2032, which is a slower than average growth, but the demand for orthopedic surgeons remains stable due to the aging population, an increase in sports related injuries, and increased demand for minimally technologically advanced orthopedic procedures.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Orthopedic Surgeon Jobs in the US
The salary for an orthopedic surgeon is influenced by the demand for the specialty, cost of living, and regional economic conditions. According to ZipRecruiter, the highest and lowest paying states for orthopedic surgeons are as follows:
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Orthopedic Surgeons:
1. Alaska
2. Massachusetts
3. Washington
4. Nevada
5. Colorado
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Orthopedic Surgeons:
1. Florida
2. Alabama
3. West Virginia
4. Louisiana
5. Kansas
The state data does vary between resources.
Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Salary Median
** Chart from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/orthopedic-surgeon/#salary-history-line-chart
Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average salary
The median salary for an orthopedic surgeon in the U.S. is influenced by their experience, location, and specialization. The median salary is estimated at $541,430/year. Entry-level salaries for those just starting their careers may be lower than the median and based on demand for their specialty. The average reported salary is between $538-$558K, but in some regions or subspecialties it can be as high as $624,000.
Residents often make around $100,000 a year during training while first year attendings can earn between $400,000- $475,000/year. Traveling orthopedic surgeons can expect $150-$225/hour for routine coverage, and $424-$459/hour for a trauma-heavy position which is $500k to nearly $900k+/year.
Average Orthopedic Surgeon Salary by State (for non-traveling doctors)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $298,403 | $5,738 | $143.46 |
| Alaska | $354,554 | $6,818 | $170.46 |
| Arizona | $306,798 | $5,899 | $147.50 |
| Arkansas | $272,235 | $5,235 | $130.88 |
| California | $324,911 | $6,248 | $156.21 |
| Colorado | $346,183 | $6,657 | $166.43 |
| Connecticut | $313,185 | $6,022 | $150.57 |
| Delaware | $329,506 | $6,336 | $158.42 |
| Florida | $246,025 | $4,731 | $118.28 |
| Georgia | $277,990 | $5,345 | $133.65 |
| Hawaii | $342,048 | $6,577 | $164.45 |
| Idaho | $309,764 | $5,957 | $148.93 |
| Illinois | $319,024 | $6,135 | $153.38 |
| Indiana | $313,276 | $6,024 | $150.61 |
| Iowa | $309,227 | $5,946 | $148.67 |
| Kansas | $293,616 | $5,646 | $141.16 |
| Kentucky | $285,938 | $5,498 | $137.47 |
| Louisiana | $281,526 | $5,413 | $135.35 |
| Maine | $318,752 | $6,129 | $153.25 |
| Maryland | $319,523 | $6,144 | $153.62 |
| Massachusetts | $359,551 | $6,914 | $172.86 |
| Michigan | $286,948 | $5,518 | $137.96 |
| Minnesota | $322,444 | $6,200 | $155.02 |
| Mississippi | $311,796 | $5,996 | $149.90 |
| Missouri | $308,812 | $5,938 | $148.47 |
| Montana | $302,175 | $5,811 | $145.28 |
| Nebraska | $313,897 | $6,036 | $150.91 |
| Nevada | $335,249 | $6,447 | $161.18 |
| New Hampshire | $320,171 | $6,157 | $153.93 |
| New Jersey | $334,238 | $6,427 | $160.69 |
| New Mexico | $319,040 | $6,135 | $153.38 |
| New York | $360,180 | $6,926 | $173.16 |
| North Carolina | $299,198 | $5,753 | $143.85 |
| North Dakota | $348,343 | $6,698 | $167.47 |
| Ohio | $312,990 | $6,019 | $150.48 |
| Oklahoma | $303,982 | $5,845 | $146.15 |
| Oregon | $348,082 | $6,693 | $167.35 |
| Pennsylvania | $330,013 | $6,346 | $158.66 |
| Rhode Island | $322,411 | $6,200 | $155.01 |
| South Carolina | $305,503 | $5,875 | $146.88 |
| South Dakota | $329,222 | $6,331 | $158.28 |
| Tennessee | $298,808 | $5,746 | $143.66 |
| Texas | $306,721 | $5,898 | $147.46 |
| Utah | $299,714 | $5,763 | $144.09 |
| Vermont | $350,046 | $6,731 | $168.29 |
| Virginia | $326,398 | $6,276 | $156.92 |
| Washington | $372,876 | $7,170 | $179.27 |
| West Virginia | $254,874 | $4,901 | $122.54 |
| Wisconsin | $332,301 | $6,390 | $159.76 |
| Wyoming | $316,455 | $6,085 | $152.14 |
**Data from ZipRecruiter
Average Orthopedic Surgeon Job Salary by State (for traveling doctors)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama (Birmingham) | $288,965 | $5,557 | $138.93 |
| Alaska (Juneau) | $ 326,743 | $6,283 | $157.09 |
| Arizona (Phoenix) | $ 306,146 | $5,887 | $147.19 |
| Arkansas (Little Rock) | $295,734 | $5,687 | $142.18 |
| California (San Francisco) | $363,268 | $6,986 | $174.65 |
| Colorado (Boulder) | $319,771 | $6,150 | $153.74 |
| Connecticut (Hartford) | $311,019 | $5,981 | $149.53 |
| Delaware (Dover) | $308,160 | $5,926 | $148.15 |
| Florida (Miami) | $294,902 | $5,671 | $141.78 |
| Georgia (Atlanta) | $296,509 | $5,702 | $142.55 |
| Hawaii (Honolulu) | $304,513 | $5,856 | $146.40 |
| Idaho (Boise) | $293,457 | $5,643 | $141.09 |
| Illinois (Chicago) | $317,626 | $6,108 | $152.70 |
| Indiana (Indianapolis) | $294,724 | $5,668 | $141.69 |
| Iowa (Des Moines) | $300,908 | $5,787 | $144.67 |
| Kansas (Topeka) | $290,169 | $5,580 | $139.50 |
| Kentucky (Lexington) | $306,455 | $5,893 | $147.33 |
| Louisiana (New Orleans) | $296,111 | $5,684 | $142.36 |
| Maine (Portland) | $315,459 | $6,066 | $151.66 |
| Maryland (Annapolis) | $305,225 | $5,870 | $146.74 |
| Massachusetts (Boston) | $334,972 | $6,442 | $161.04 |
| Michigan (Detroit) | $305,237 | $5,870 | $146.75 |
| Minnesota (St Paul) | $311,841 | $5,997 | $149.92 |
| Mississippi (Jackson) | $268,688 | $5,167 | $129.17 |
| Missouri (Jefferson City) | $292,246 | $5,620 | $140.50 |
| Montana (Helena) | $292,191 | $5,619 | $140.47 |
| Nebraska (Lincoln) | $268,438 | $5,162 | $129.05 |
| Nevada (Carson City) | $301,972 | $5,807 | $145.18 |
| New Hampshire (Concord) | $310,359 | $5,968 | $149.21 |
| New Jersey (Trenton) | $309,181 | $5,946 | $148.64 |
| New Mexico (Santa Fe) | $302,667 | $5,820 | $145.51 |
| New York (Manhattan) | $340,283 | $6,544 | $163.60 |
| North Carolina (Charlotte) | $301,152 | $5,791 | $144.78 |
| North Dakota (Bismark) | $307,200 | $5,908 | $147.69 |
| Ohio (Columbus) | $297,817 | $5,727 | $143.18 |
| Oklahoma (OK City) | $286,426 | $5,508 | $137.70 |
| Oregon (Portland) | $326,987 | $6,288 | $157.20 |
| Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) | $311,133 | $5,983 | $149.58 |
| Rhode Island (Providence) | $311,487 | $5,990 | $149.75 |
| South Carolina (Charleston) | $288,542 | $5,549 | $138.72 |
| South Dakota (Pierre) | $307,231 | $5,908 | $147.70 |
| Tennessee (Nashville) | $297,816 | $5,727 | $143.18 |
| Texas (Austin) | $305,621 | $5,877 | $146.93 |
| Utah (Salt Lake City) | $298,376 | $5,738 | $143.45 |
| Vermont (Montpelier) | $311,712 | $5,994 | $149.86 |
| Virginia (Richmond) | $305,134 | $5,868 | $146.70 |
| Washington (Spokane) | $311,760 | $5,995 | $149.88 |
| West Virginia (Charleston) | $299,660 | $5,763 | $144.06 |
| Wisconsin (Green Bay) | $299,901 | $5,767 | $144.18 |
| Wyoming (Cheyenne) | $292,180 | $5,619 | $140.47 |
Note: From ZipRecruiter “Locum Tenens Orthopedic Surgery” according to city data.
What is the average incentive bonus for an Orthopedic Surgeon Job?
According to Beckers (2023), the average bonus for an orthopedic surgeon is $126,000 which is among the highest of all specialties. Incentive bonuses can vary depending on the employer and specific factors related to job performance. They are often offered bonuses based on productivity and quality which can make up a fifth of their total compensations. Bonuses can vary by specialty (spine vs. sports medicine), setting (hospital vs. private practice) and area of the country.
Employed vs. self-employed Orthopedic Surgeon Jobs
Salaries often differ between employed and self-employed surgeons. Employed orthopedic surgeons often have a lower base salary but with more stability, a bonus structure, more predictable hours with call-sharing, minimal administrative duties, but less autonomy. They are typically provided with health insurance, retirement, malpractice covered, and paid time off. Self-employed orthopedic surgeons have higher earning potential, longer hours, more administrative burden, and are responsible for obtaining their own insurance, malpractice and retirement benefits.
Most common benefits for an Orthopedic Surgeon
Being an orthopedic surgeon comes with many professional and personal benefits including:
1.Career Stability- The demand for orthopedic surgeons remains strong due to an aging population, and an increase in sports injuries and musculoskeletal disorders.
2. Diverse Subspecialties- Surgeons have many options for sub specialization including sports medicine, spine surgery, trauma, and pediatric orthopedics.
3. Career Flexibility- Orthopedic surgeons can work in many different institutions, travel, consult, and/or teach for flexibility and change.
4. Job Satisfaction- Orthopedic surgery can deliver immediate benefits to the patient which is highly rewarding to a physician.
5. Team Collaboration- Orthopedic surgeons work in collaboration with a high caliber team of anesthesiologists, physical therapists, and other surgeons.
6.Financial Stability- Orthopedic surgeons are consistently one of the highest-paid medical specialists with salaries ranging between $500k and $700K per year with bonuses.
7.Respected Profession: Orthopedic surgeons are highly respected due to their expertise in many complex procedures.
8.Work-Life Balance- Depending upon the practice setting or subspeciality, surgeons can design their schedules for a better work/life balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the average salary of an orthopedic surgeon?
The average salary for an orthopedic surgeon in the U.S. ranges from $511,000 to $624,000 per year, depending on specialty (spine), location, and experience.
2. How much do orthopedic surgeons make at the entry level?
Entry-level orthopedic surgeons typically earn $350,000 to $500,000 per year.
3. Which orthopedic subspecialty pays the most?
Spine surgery and orthopedic oncology are among the highest-paying subspecialties with some spine surgeons earning $700,000 to $1 million+ per year. Joint replacement and trauma are also lucrative subspecialties.
4. Do orthopedic surgeons earn more in private practice or hospital employment?
Self-employed orthopedic surgeons in private practice typically earn more ($600,000 to $1 million+ annually), while hospital-employed surgeons tend to earn $500,000 to $600,000 with additional benefits but less autonomy.
5. What type of bonuses are factored into an orthopedic surgeon’s pay?
Orthopedic surgeons frequently earn incentive bonuses averaging $120,000 to $135,000 per year, which are tied to their productivity, patient satisfaction, and clinical outcomes. Bonuses can even exceed $200,000 in high-volume settings.