How Much Does an Orthopedic Surgeon Make? Salary Insights and Factors
Posted on March 17th, 2025
Orthopedic surgery is one of the most lucrative specialties within the medical field. If you're considering pursuing a career as an orthopedic surgeon, you may be wondering, "How much do orthopedic surgeons make?" The answer is complex and can vary widely based on various factors such as experience, location, type of practice, and subspecialties. In this article, we’ll explore the different factors that influence the pay for orthopedic surgeons and provide a comprehensive breakdown of orthopedic surgeon income across different regions, specialties, and practice types.
1. Overview of Orthopedic Surgeon Salaries
Orthopedic surgeons are medical professionals who focus on diagnosing, treating, and performing surgery on the musculoskeletal system. This includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Orthopedic surgeons are highly trained and typically undergo years of education, training, and residency programs before becoming fully licensed practitioners. As a result, their salaries reflect the extensive expertise required for the job.
In general, orthopedic surgeons are among the highest-paid physicians. The average salary for orthopedic surgeons in the United States typically ranges between $500,000 to over $700,000 annually. However, this can differ significantly based on several factors.
2. Factors Influencing Orthopedic Surgeon Salaries
To better understand the salary range for orthopedic surgeons, it's essential to consider the factors that impact their earnings.
2.1. Region
Geographical location plays a crucial role in determining an orthopedic surgeon’s income. The cost of living, demand for medical services, and supply of orthopedic surgeons in a given area all influence how much orthopedic surgeons can earn. In general, orthopedic surgeons in urban areas or regions with a higher cost of living tend to make more. However, the dynamics of demand and supply often result in higher earnings in less populated areas.
Here’s a breakdown of the expected salary for orthopedic surgeons in different regions of the U.S.:
| Region | Expected Salary |
|---|---|
| Western U.S | $514,812 |
| Eastern U.S | $589,055 |
| Southern U.S | $655,429 |
| Midwestern U.S | $702,480 |
Interestingly, surgeons practicing in smaller metropolitan areas or rural locations may earn more than those working in densely populated metropolitan areas. For instance, orthopedic surgeons in metro areas with populations under 250,000 could make as much as $700,000, compared to a median salary of $600,000 in larger metro areas with populations over one million.
2.2. Years of Experience
Like most professions, an orthopedic surgeon’s income increases with experience. Starting salaries for orthopedic surgeons are lower during the residency years but steadily rise as the surgeon gains more experience and expertise.
- Orthopedic Surgery Residents: During residency, orthopedic surgeons earn around $100,000 annually, which is relatively low compared to their potential earnings after completing training.
- Mid-Career Surgeons: As orthopedic surgeons advance in their careers, their salary typically increases by five to ten percent annually, depending on the region and practice type.
- Experienced Surgeons: Orthopedic surgeons in the late stages of their careers can command higher salaries, often ranging between $600,000 to $700,000 annually, with the possibility of bonuses and additional compensation.
2.3. Practice Type
The type of practice an orthopedic surgeon works for also significantly impacts their pay for orthopedic surgeons. Here’s how different practice settings compare:
- Physician-Owned Practices: Surgeons in physician-owned practices tend to earn the lowest salaries in the specialty. The median salary for surgeons in these practices is approximately $487,419 annually.
- Hospital/IDS-Owned Organizations: Surgeons working in hospital or integrated delivery system (IDS) organizations earn the highest salaries, with a median income of $661,923.
- Multispecialty Practices: Surgeons working in multispecialty practices tend to earn a bit less than those working in single-specialty practices, with a median salary of $618,604.
2.4. Subspecialties
Orthopedic surgery is a broad field with numerous subspecialties. The level of expertise and training required in specific subspecialties can significantly affect orthopedic surgeon income. Surgeons who specialize in high-demand, complex areas tend to earn more. For example:
- Sports Medicine: Surgeons specializing in sports injuries and joint repairs earn an average base salary of $1,611,517.
- Spine Surgery: Surgeons specializing in spine surgery have an average salary of $749,623.
- Reconstructive Surgery: Surgeons focused on reconstructive orthopedic surgery earn a significant income, with an average salary of $1,036,979.
Other subspecialties like pediatrics, hand surgery, and foot/ankle surgery tend to have lower salaries, ranging from $228,665 to $447,555 annually.
2.5. Additional Compensation
In addition to their base salary, orthopedic surgeons can also earn substantial additional compensation through bonuses, profit sharing, and commissions. These additional payments can significantly boost an orthopedic surgeon's total earnings. For instance:
- Bonuses:The median annual bonus for orthopedic surgeons is around $41,770.
- Profit Sharing: Surgeons may receive anywhere from $99 to $81,000 annually through profit-sharing programs, depending on their practice or hospital’s financial structure.
- Commissions: Surgeons can earn commissions ranging from $0 to $52,000 annually, depending on the volume of surgeries and procedures performed.
These forms of compensation can bring a surgeon’s total annual income well over $700,000, particularly when bonuses and commissions are included.
2.6. Credentials and Education
The level of education and credentials held by an orthopedic surgeon also impacts their salary. Surgeons who are board-certified and have completed additional fellowship training in specialized areas tend to command higher salaries. Fellowship-trained surgeons, especially those in highly specialized fields like sports medicine or spine surgery, may see an increase in their earnings.
3. Ways to Increase Your Orthopedic Surgeon Salary
While orthopedic surgeon income naturally increases with experience and skill, there are proactive steps that surgeons can take to increase their earning potential.
3.1. Specialize in High-Paying Subspecialties
Choosing a subspecialty with higher earning potential can make a significant difference in your salary. As previously mentioned, subspecialties like sports medicine, spine surgery, and joint replacement offer some of the highest salaries in orthopedic surgery. Surgeons specializing in these fields may find greater job opportunities, higher-paying positions, and more potential for additional compensation.
Here’s some more guide about the Highest Paying Healthcare Jobs in 2025
3.2. Negotiate Your Compensation
When starting your career or transitioning to a new position, salary negotiations are crucial. Many surgeons overlook the importance of negotiating their initial salary, but this can have a lasting impact on their earning potential. When negotiating, remember to consider both base salary and additional compensation like bonuses, profit sharing, and benefits.
It’s also important to account for factors like work hours, workload, and location. If you’re willing to relocate or work in less populated areas, you might be able to command a higher salary due to lower competition and a greater demand for services.
3.3. Location and Practice Type
The type of practice and the region where you practice can greatly influence your orthopedic surgeon salary. As mentioned earlier, surgeons in smaller cities and rural areas often earn more than their counterparts in large urban areas due to higher demand and less competition.
Choosing to work for a hospital-owned practice rather than a physician-owned practice can also significantly boost your income. Hospitals and integrated delivery systems tend to offer better salary packages, bonuses, and benefits.
4. Student Loan Debt and Financial Planning
While orthopedic surgeons enjoy high-paying careers, they also tend to have high levels of student loan debt, with the average orthopedic surgeon graduating with over $190,000 in debt. Managing this debt is crucial for financial stability.
Strategies such as loan refinancing, federal loan forgiveness programs, or seeking employers that offer loan repayment assistance can help ease the financial burden. Additionally, early financial planning and smart investing can help orthopedic surgeons maximize their wealth and reduce financial stress in their early years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, orthopedic surgery offers substantial financial rewards, but there are many factors that influence how much orthopedic surgeons make. By considering your region, subspecialty, years of experience, and practice type, you can maximize your earning potential. As the field continues to grow, opportunities for increased income through additional compensation, bonuses, and lucrative subspecialties will remain available to those who strategically manage their careers.
Understanding the factors that contribute to orthopedic surgeon income and proactively pursuing high-paying opportunities can help ensure that you achieve the highest possible salary in this rewarding field.
If you're an orthopedic surgeon looking to maximize your income and career opportunities, it's time to make informed decisions about your practice and location. Whether you're considering a subspecialty or looking to negotiate a better salary package, we can help guide you to the best path.
Contact Protouch Staffing today for expert advice on contract negotiations, career planning, and maximizing your earning potential!