With a national median of $358,550 and +4.1% projected job growth through 2034, Orthopedic Surgeons offers both strong financial return and stable long-term demand.
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.
Also known as:
Orthopedic Surgeons earn $358,550 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $180,610 and $530,700. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Well above average for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
The BLS projects +4.1% employment change for Orthopedic Surgeons through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 400 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
About as fast as average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Orthopedic Surgeons professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $358,550 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 2,560 | — | — |
| 2 | New York | 1,450 | $215,630 | -39.9% |
| 3 | Florida | 950 | — | — |
| 4 | Georgia | 750 | — | — |
| 5 | New Jersey | 620 | — | — |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Orthopedic Surgeons positions require a doctoral or professional degree to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medicine | 29,206 | $66,978 | 193 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 2 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 3 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 4 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA | 92 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
| 5 | Stanford University Stanford, CA | 92 | $13,807 | $124,080 |
| 6 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | 91 | $13,138 | $83,648 |
Once you've sized up Orthopedic Surgeons, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Orthopedic Surgeons pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
The data on Orthopedic Surgeons shows 3 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
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