Table of Contents
Top 5 Highest Paying States for General Surgeons:Top 5 Lowest Paying States for General Surgeons:What is the average incentive bonus for a General Surgeon Job?Employed vs. self-employed General Surgeon JobHow to do an effective General Surgeon job searchWhat is the average salary for a General Surgeon?What factors influence the salary of a General Surgeon?How much does an entry-level general surgeon make?Can a general surgeon earn more money through specialization?How much does a traveling general surgeon earn?A general surgeon is a trained medical doctor who specializes in surgical procedures to diagnose, treat, and manage many medical conditions. General surgeons operate on the digestive tract, abdomen, skin, soft tissues, and the endocrine system using minimally invasive techniques. They evaluate patients prior to surgery and manage their care after surgery.
According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall demand for surgeons is expected to grow 3% from 2022 to 2032 with a greater demand in rural areas. The need remains high due to an aging population, an increase in chronic diseases, a shortage of surgeons, and the need for trauma and emergency care.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for General Surgeon Jobs in the US
Specific salary data varies by state and over time. The salary 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 general surgeons are as follows:
Top 5 Highest Paying States for General Surgeons:
1. Washington
2. New York
3. Massachusetts
4. Alaska
5. Vermont
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for General Surgeons:
1. Florida
2. West Virginia
3. Arkansas
4. Georgia
5. Louisiana
The state data varies between resources.
Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Salary Median
** Chart from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/general-surgeon/#salary-history-line-chart
Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average salary
The salary for a general surgeon in the U.S. is influenced by their experience, location, and specialization. According to salary.com, the average annually of a general surgeon is $446,850. Entry-level salaries for those just starting their careers are usually lower than the median and based on demand for their specialty. An entry-level surgeon can earn around $281,000 annually. Traveling general surgeons may earn upwards of $250 per hour which is $520,000 for those employed full-time. Non-traveling general surgeons may have variations in salary based on specialization, geographic location, type of healthcare institution, and expertise level.
Average General Surgeon Salary by State (for non-traveling doctors)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $258,480 | $4,970 | $124.27 |
| Alaska | $307,119 | $5,906 | $147.65 |
| Arizona | $265,752 | $5,110 | $127.77 |
| Arkansas | $235,813 | $4,534 | $113.37 |
| California | $281,442 | $5,412 | $135.31 |
| Colorado | $299,868 | $5,766 | $144.17 |
| Connecticut | $271,284 | $5,217 | $130.43 |
| Delaware | $285,422 | $5,488 | $137.22 |
| Florida | $213,110 | $4,098 | $102.46 |
| Georgia | $240,798 | $4,630 | $115.77 |
| Hawaii | $296,286 | $5,697 | $142.45 |
| Idaho | $268,321 | $5,160 | $129.00 |
| Illinois | $276,343 | $5,314 | $132.86 |
| Indiana | $271,363 | $5,218 | $130.46 |
| Iowa | $267,856 | $5,151 | $128.78 |
| Kansas | $254,334 | $4,891 | $122.28 |
| Kentucky | $247,683 | $4,763 | $119.08 |
| Louisiana | $243,861 | $4,689 | $117.24 |
| Maine | $276,107 | $5,309 | $132.74 |
| Maryland | $276,775 | $5,322 | $133.06 |
| Massachusetts | $311,447 | $5,989 | $149.73 |
| Michigan | $248,558 | $4,779 | $119.50 |
| Minnesota | $279,305 | $5,371 | $134.28 |
| Mississippi | $270,081 | $5,193 | $129.85 |
| Missouri | $267,496 | $5,144 | $128.60 |
| Montana | $261,748 | $5,033 | $125.84 |
| Nebraska | $271,901 | $5,228 | $130.72 |
| Nevada | $290,396 | $5,584 | $139.61 |
| New Hampshire | $277,336 | $5,333 | $133.33 |
| New Jersey | $289,521 | $5,567 | $139.19 |
| New Mexico | $276,357 | $5,314 | $132.86 |
| New York | $311,992 | $5,999 | $150.00 |
| North Carolina | $259,169 | $4,984 | $124.60 |
| North Dakota | $301,739 | $5,802 | $145.07 |
| Ohio | $271,116 | $5,213 | $130.34 |
| Oklahoma | $263,313 | $5,063 | $126.59 |
| Oregon | $301,513 | $5,798 | $144.96 |
| Pennsylvania | $285,861 | $5,497 | $137.43 |
| Rhode Island | $279,276 | $5,370 | $134.27 |
| South Carolina | $264,631 | $5,089 | $127.23 |
| South Dakota | $285,176 | $5,484 | $137.10 |
| Tennessee | $258,831 | $4,977 | $124.44 |
| Texas | $265,686 | $5,109 | $127.73 |
| Utah | $259,616 | $4,992 | $124.82 |
| Vermont | $303,214 | $5,831 | $145.78 |
| Virginia | $282,730 | $5,437 | $135.93 |
| Washington | $322,989 | $6,211 | $155.28 |
| West Virginia | $220,775 | $4,245 | $106.14 |
| Wisconsin | $287,843 | $5,535 | $138.39 |
| Wyoming | $274,117 | $5,271 | $131.79 |
**Data from ZipRecruiter
Average General Surgeon Job Salary by State (for traveling doctors)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama (Birmingham) | $317,871 | $6,112 | $153 |
| Alaska (Juneau) | $359,427 | $6,912 | $173 |
| Arizona (Phoenix) | $336,769 | $6,476 | $162 |
| Arkansas (Little Rock) | $325,317 | $6,256 | $156 |
| California (San Francisco) | $399,605 | $7,684 | $192 |
| Colorado (Boulder) | $351,758 | $6,765 | $169 |
| Connecticut (Hartford) | $342,130 | $6,579 | $164 |
| Delaware (Dover) | $338,985 | $6,518 | $163 |
| Florida (Miami) | $324,401 | $6,238 | $156 |
| Georgia (Atlanta) | $326,169 | $6,272 | $157 |
| Hawaii (Honolulu) | $334,973 | $6,441 | $161 |
| Idaho (Boise) | $322,812 | $6,207 | $155 |
| Illinois (Chicago) | $349,398 | $6,719 | $168 |
| Indiana (Indianapolis) | $324,205 | $6,234 | $156 |
| Iowa (Des Moines) | $331,007 | $6,365 | $159 |
| Kansas (Topeka) | $319,194 | $6,138 | $153 |
| Kentucky (Lexington) | $337,110 | $6,482 | $162 |
| Louisiana (New Orleans) | $325,731 | $6,264 | $157 |
| Maine (Portland) | $347,014 | $6,673 | $167 |
| Maryland (Annapolis) | $335,757 | $6,457 | $161 |
| Massachusetts (Boston) | $368,479 | $7,086 | $177 |
| Michigan (Detroit) | $335,770 | $6,457 | $161 |
| Minnesota (St Paul) | $343,034 | $6,597 | $165 |
| Mississippi (Jackson) | $295,565 | $5,683 | $142 |
| Missouri (Jefferson City) | $321,479 | $6,182 | $154 |
| Montana (Helena) | $321,419 | $6,181 | $155 |
| Nebraska (Lincoln) | $295,290 | $5,678 | $142 |
| Nevada (Carson City) | $332,178 | $6,388 | $160 |
| New Hampshire (Concord) | $341,404 | $6,565 | $164 |
| New Jersey (Trenton) | $340,109 | $6,540 | $164 |
| New Mexico (Santa Fe) | $332,943 | $6,402 | $160 |
| New York (Manhattan) | $374,321 | $7,198 | $180 |
| North Carolina (Charlotte) | $308,242 | $5,927 | $148 |
| North Dakota (Bismark) | $337,929 | $6,498 | $162 |
| Ohio (Columbus) | $327,608 | $6,300 | $157 |
| Oklahoma (OK City) | $315,077 | $6,059 | $151 |
| Oregon (Portland) | $359,696 | $6,917 | $173 |
| Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) | $342,256 | $6,582 | $165 |
| Rhode Island (Providence) | $342,645 | $6,589 | $165 |
| South Carolina (Charleston) | $317,405 | $6,103 | $153 |
| South Dakota (Pierre) | $337,963 | $6,499 | $162 |
| Tennessee (Nashville) | $327,607 | $6,300 | $158 |
| Texas (Austin) | $336,192 | $6,465 | $162 |
| Utah (Salt Lake City) | $328,222 | $6,312 | $158 |
| Vermont (Montpelier) | $342,892 | $6,594 | $165 |
| Virginia (Richmond) | $335,657 | $6,455 | $161 |
| Washington (Spokane) | $308,242 | $5,927 | $148 |
| West Virginia (Charleston) | $321,406 | $6,180 | $155 |
| Wisconsin (Green Bay) | $308,242 | $5,927 | $148 |
| Wyoming (Cheyenne) | $321,406 | $6,180 | $155 |
Note: From ZipRecruiter “Traveling Surgeon” according to city data.
What is the average incentive bonus for a General Surgeon Job?
In 2023, general surgeons received an average incentive bonus of $75,000 which was higher than previous years. General surgeons can receive a range of incentive bonuses including performance-based, geographic location-based, and experience-based. Performance-based are usually tied to metrics including patient outcomes, volume and adherence to best practices. Those who practice in a high-demand or an underserved area may receive a sign-on or retention bonus. Those with more experience or a specialized skill set may receive higher bonuses.
Employed vs. self-employed General Surgeon Job
Salaries will differ between an employed and self-employed surgeon. Employed surgeons have a stable income, health insurance, retirement plans, a CME allowance, and time off. They have less financial risk and administrative responsibilities and are typically employed by a hospital. Self-employed general surgeons have the potential for higher earnings, more flexibility, and may/may not be provided with healthcare or a retirement plan. Furthermore, they must find their own jobs.
How to do an effective General Surgeon job search
It is easy to find a traveling general surgery position with PRNHealthcare. Find the “physicians” link at the top of our website. Use the position job search bar by searching “I am a MD” and select the specialty, “Surgery MD.” Finally, use the location bar to select your state and city of choice.
Most common benefits for a General Surgeon
Being a general surgeon comes with both professional and personal benefits including:
- Career Stability-
- The demand for general surgery is consistently high, especially in rural or underserved areas.
- High Earning Potential-
- A general surgeon earns a substantial salary with many opportunities to earn bonuses and incentives.
- Intellectual Stimulation-
- Surgery requires quick problem-solving and quick-decision making to adapt to changes.
- Continuous Learning-
- General surgeons are presented with the opportunity to learn new surgical techniques and use advanced technology.
- Job Satisfaction-
- General surgeons may save and/or improve the quality of a patient’s life.
- Career Flexibility-
- Surgeons have many options for work including specialization in a certain area like trauma or minimally invasive surgery. They can work in many different settings and travel.
- Respected Profession-
- General surgeons are highly respected and their expertise in saving lives earns them the respect of patients and colleagues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a General Surgeon?
The average salary of a general surgeon in the U.S. is approximately $446,850 per year but can range from $300,000 to over $500,000 depending upon the location, experience, and specialization.
What factors influence the salary of a General Surgeon?
Geographical location, experience level, specialty, and the type of healthcare facility are all factors that influence a general surgeon’s salary.
How much does an entry-level general surgeon make?
An entry-level general surgeon(0-2 years of experience) can earn around $281,000 to $350,000 per year depending upon whether they work in private practice, a hospital or a rural/urban area.
Can a general surgeon earn more money through specialization?
Yes, a subspeciality can increase their earning potential. A trauma surgeon can earn between $450,000 to $600,000 while an oncological surgeon can earn $500,000+.
How much does a traveling general surgeon earn?
Traveling general surgeons can earn between $250-$400 per hour which is $500,000+ annually if employed full-time. They may also be provided with housing, travel reimbursements and malpractice insurance.