How much does a orthopedic surgeon make?
The median orthopedic surgeon in the United States earns $358,550 per year, about $172.38 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all orthopedic surgeons earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1242.
Orthopedic surgeon salary range
Pay for orthopedic surgeons spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $84,170 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $659,290. The average (mean) wage of $373,570 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $84,170 | $40.46 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $180,610 | $86.83 | |
| Median (50th) | $358,550 | $172.38 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $530,700 | $255.15 | |
| 90th percentile | $659,290 | $316.97 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric (SOC 29-1242), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Orthopedic surgeon salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Orthopedic surgeons earn the most in Missouri at $842,800 a year, and the least in Indiana at $177,710. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | $842,800 | N/A |
| West Virginia | $597,740 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $572,060 | 290 |
| Montana | $560,820 | N/A |
| Arizona | $558,970 | 110 |
| New Hampshire | $555,670 | 80 |
| Washington | $553,310 | 290 |
| Mississippi | $544,130 | N/A |
| Minnesota | $537,830 | 320 |
| Oklahoma | $530,070 | 30 |
| Nebraska | $507,770 | 200 |
| Virginia | $478,710 | 170 |
| Georgia | $474,820 | 490 |
| Florida | $473,750 | 580 |
| Illinois | $426,580 | 170 |
| New York | $414,290 | 1,450 |
| Michigan | $413,450 | 200 |
| Massachusetts | $392,300 | N/A |
| Colorado | $385,410 | 410 |
| Pennsylvania | $354,020 | 240 |
| New Jersey | $341,430 | 420 |
| Tennessee | $325,520 | 180 |
| Alabama | $324,570 | 380 |
| North Carolina | $323,630 | 560 |
| Ohio | $323,480 | 500 |
| Kansas | $311,630 | N/A |
| Arkansas | $262,470 | 350 |
| California | $253,430 | N/A |
| Alaska | $239,200+ | 30 |
| North Dakota | $239,200+ | 40 |
| Oregon | $239,200+ | 140 |
| South Carolina | $239,200+ | 100 |
| South Dakota | $239,200+ | N/A |
| Utah | $239,200+ | 80 |
| Vermont | $239,200+ | 50 |
| Texas | $200,780 | 490 |
| Iowa | $189,410 | 260 |
| Indiana | $177,710 | 500 |
State median wages for orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric (SOC 29-1242), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for orthopedic surgeons
The BLS projects employment of orthopedic surgeons to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 15,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 16,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 400 openings a year for orthopedic surgeons. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an orthopedic surgeon
The typical entry-level education for orthopedic surgeons is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an orthopedic surgeon earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Missouri, $842,800) and the lowest (Indiana, $177,710) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 14,100 people work as orthopedic surgeons in the United States. At $358,550 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Orthopedic surgeon salary FAQ
How much does an orthopedic surgeon make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an orthopedic surgeon is $172.38. The middle half of orthopedic surgeons earn between $86.83 and $255.15 per hour.
What is the highest orthopedic surgeon salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of orthopedic surgeons earn more than $659,290 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an orthopedic surgeon make a year?
The median annual salary for an orthopedic surgeon is $358,550. The average (mean) wage of $373,570 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an orthopedic surgeon a well paid job?
At $358,550 a year, an orthopedic surgeon earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 14,100 people work as orthopedic surgeons in the United States.
Which state pays orthopedic surgeons the most?
Missouri has the highest median salary for orthopedic surgeons at $842,800 a year. West Virginia ($597,740) and Wisconsin ($572,060) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an orthopedic surgeon a good career?
Employment of orthopedic surgeons is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an orthopedic surgeon?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for orthopedic surgeons as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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