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About 1.9% of all active physicians in the U.S. are orthopedic surgeons, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Whether considering the specialty during medical school or training or practicing as an orthopedic surgeon, having an expectation of your income can help guide salary negotiations and create a long-term financial plan.
What is the average orthopedic surgeon salary?
The average annual salary for all physicians is $352,000, according to an April 2023 report from Medscape. When broken down further, primary care physicians made an average of $265,000 annually, while specialists made an average of $382,000.
The mean annual salary for orthopedic surgeons specifically is $329,222, according to the ZipRecruiter.
Orthopedic surgeon salary by state: What do physicians make in each state?
Salaries for orthopedic surgeons can vary significantly by location, ranging from $229,011 in Florida to $384,738 in Alaska. According to ZipRecruiter, these are the annual mean salaries for orthopedic surgeons by state:
- Alabama – $277,772
- Alaska – $384,738
- Arizona – $285,588
- Arkansas – $282,776
- California – $314,132
- Colorado – $357,662
- Connecticut – $283,442
- Delaware – $335,861
- Florida – $229,011
- Georgia – $258,768
- Hawaii – $307,916
- Idaho – $300,596
- Illinois – $331,392
- Indiana – $291,618
- Iowa – $281,220
- Kansas – $264,940
- Kentucky – $299,419
- Louisiana – $256,911
- Maine – $306,674
- Maryland – $325,232
- Massachusetts – $379,274
- Michigan – $296,058
- Minnesota – $294,255
- Mississippi – $281,381
- Missouri – $316,491
- Montana – $281,284
- Nebraska – $318,188
- Nevada – $363,770
- New Hampshire – $300,498
- New Jersey – $307,875
- New Mexico – $292,736
- New York – $337,244
- North Carolina – $307,339
- North Dakota – $313,712
- Ohio – $286,060
- Oklahoma – $308,140
- Oregon – $313,720
- Pennsylvania – $308,937
- Rhode Island – $290,582
- South Carolina – $313,815
- South Dakota – $296,492
- Tennessee – $273,105
- Texas – $298,657
- Utah – $273,242
- Vermont – $329,469
- Virginia – $330,856
- Washington – $364,946
- West Virginia – $238,597
- Wisconsin – $304,788
- Wyoming – $295,612
Highest paying states for orthopedic surgeons
According to the ZipRecruiter, these are the top five highest paying states for orthopedic surgeons:
- Alaska – $384,738
- Massachusetts – $369,274
- Washington – $364,946
- Nevada – $363,770
- Colorado – $357,662
Physician salary by specialty: How do orthopedic surgeons’ salaries compare?
Orthopedic surgeons rank among the top-earning specialties in medicine. Here’s how their average salary of $573,000 compares to other specialties, as reported by Medscape:
- Plastic surgery – $619,000
- Orthopedics – $573,000
- Cardiology – $507,000
- Urology – $506,000
- Gastroenterology – $501,000
- Otolaryngology – $485,000
- Radiology – $483,000
- Oncology – $463,000
- Anesthesiology – $448,000
- Dermatology – $443,000
- General surgery – $412,000
- Critical care – $406,000
- Ophthalmology – $388,000
- Pulmonary medicine – $378,000
- Emergency medicine – $352,000
- Pathology – $339,000
- OB-GYN – $337,000
- Neurology – $313,000
- Nephrology – $312,000
- Psychiatry – $309,000
- Physical medicine & rehabilitation – $306,000
- Allergy & immunology – $282,000
- Rheumatology – $281,000
- Internal medicine – $273,000
- Diabetes & endocrinology – $267,000
- Infectious diseases – $262,000
- Family medicine – $255,000
- Pediatrics – $251,000
- Public health & preventive medicine – $249,000
Are orthopedic surgeons’ salaries increasing?
According to Medscape, orthopedic surgeons’ salaries increased by an average 3% in 2023.
How do orthopedic surgeons’ bonuses compare to other bonuses?
In addition to their salary, orthopedic surgeons often receive substantial bonuses. About 57% of physicians receive incentive bonuses, with orthopedic surgeons averaging $134,000 annually. Here’s how bonuses in orthopedics compare to other specialties:
- Orthopedics – $134,000
- Cardiology – $88,000
- Radiology – $80,000
- General surgery – $75,000
- Anesthesiology – $68,000
- OB-GYN – $57,000
- Emergency medicine – $37,000
- Psychiatry – $37,000
- Family medicine – $34,000
- Internal medicine – $33,000
- Pediatrics – $31,000
Before you go…
These salary figures provide an average and can vary depending on the practice, location, and individual experience. Transitioning from training to practice often involves a significant income increase, and having support and resources can be crucial during this adjustment.
Are you starting a new role? Panacea Financial Holdings partners with Panacea Legal to provide employment contract review services. Evaluate your offer, discuss compensation, and negotiate your contract to protect your interests and support your goals. Learn more here.
For orthopedic surgeons looking for financial planning, budgeting, or tax assistance, resources are available to connect you with industry-specific experts. Learn how our Build Your Team program can help you feel confident as you change jobs and manage your income.
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