On average, general orthopedic surgeons received $539,345 last year, compared to general surgeons who received $368,108. Here is how orthopedic surgeons compared to other surgical specialists in compensation last year, according to MGMA's Physician Compensation and Production Survey: 2011 Report Based on 2010 Data.
1. Overall compensation. Of the other surgical specialists in the report, only a few received more than general orthopedic surgeons. General orthopedic surgeons received significantly more than breast surgeons, oncology surgeons and primary vascular and thoracic surgeons. Cardiovascular surgeons received slightly more, at $560,659, while pediatric cardiac surgeons received compensation comparable to spine surgeons, at $762,846. However the highest compensated surgical specialist was neurological surgeons, who received $767,627.
2. Hospital employed surgeons. General orthopedic surgeons who are hospital employees earned more than their non-employed counterparts, at $526,398. By comparison, general surgeons received slightly more when employed by a hospital, at $343,999. General orthopedic surgeons employed at hospitals have compensation greatly exceeding bariatric surgeons, colon and rectal surgeons and oncology surgeons. Again, cardiovascular surgeons receive slightly more, at $567,171, with pediatric cardiovascular surgeons exceeding them by more than $100,000. The top spot is held by neurosurgoens, who received on average $701,927.
3. In private practice. General orthopedic surgeons in private practice received an average of $482,928 last year, which is considerably more than general surgeons, plastic and reconstruction surgeons and surgical oncologists, who all received less than $400,000 last year. Cardiovascular surgeons received more than orthopedic surgeons, at $521,964, which was exceeded by neurosurgeons who received $706,418.
4. Female surgeons. Female general orthopedic surgeons received approximately $434,000 last year, which is around $63,000 less than male general orthopedic surgeons. However, female orthopedic surgeons' compensation exceeded female general surgeons by more than $100,000. Female orthopedic surgeons also received more than female plastic surgeons and female trauma surgeons, who received $332,664 and $389,747 respectively. Female neurosurgeons received the highest compensation among female surgeons by far, at $654,149 last year.
5. Retirement benefits. On average, general orthopedic surgeons received $26,792 in retirement benefits last year, which is around $3,000 more than general surgeons. Orthopedic surgeons also received more than cardiovascular surgeons, who received $24,653 in retirement benefits. General orthopedic surgeons' retirement benefits were comparable to primary thoracic surgeons and plastic surgeons. Urology surgeons and neurosurgeons received $3,000-$4,000 more than general orthopedic surgeons in retirement benefits last year.
Learn more about MGMA.
Related Articles on Surgeon Compensation:
10 Benchmarks for General Orthopedic Surgeon Compensation
Spine vs. Neurosurgeon Compensation: 5 Points on Who Received More
Highest and Lowest Compensated Orthopedists in 2010: 5 Things to Know
2. Hospital employed surgeons. General orthopedic surgeons who are hospital employees earned more than their non-employed counterparts, at $526,398. By comparison, general surgeons received slightly more when employed by a hospital, at $343,999. General orthopedic surgeons employed at hospitals have compensation greatly exceeding bariatric surgeons, colon and rectal surgeons and oncology surgeons. Again, cardiovascular surgeons receive slightly more, at $567,171, with pediatric cardiovascular surgeons exceeding them by more than $100,000. The top spot is held by neurosurgoens, who received on average $701,927.
3. In private practice. General orthopedic surgeons in private practice received an average of $482,928 last year, which is considerably more than general surgeons, plastic and reconstruction surgeons and surgical oncologists, who all received less than $400,000 last year. Cardiovascular surgeons received more than orthopedic surgeons, at $521,964, which was exceeded by neurosurgeons who received $706,418.
4. Female surgeons. Female general orthopedic surgeons received approximately $434,000 last year, which is around $63,000 less than male general orthopedic surgeons. However, female orthopedic surgeons' compensation exceeded female general surgeons by more than $100,000. Female orthopedic surgeons also received more than female plastic surgeons and female trauma surgeons, who received $332,664 and $389,747 respectively. Female neurosurgeons received the highest compensation among female surgeons by far, at $654,149 last year.
5. Retirement benefits. On average, general orthopedic surgeons received $26,792 in retirement benefits last year, which is around $3,000 more than general surgeons. Orthopedic surgeons also received more than cardiovascular surgeons, who received $24,653 in retirement benefits. General orthopedic surgeons' retirement benefits were comparable to primary thoracic surgeons and plastic surgeons. Urology surgeons and neurosurgeons received $3,000-$4,000 more than general orthopedic surgeons in retirement benefits last year.
Learn more about MGMA.
Related Articles on Surgeon Compensation:
10 Benchmarks for General Orthopedic Surgeon Compensation
Spine vs. Neurosurgeon Compensation: 5 Points on Who Received More
Highest and Lowest Compensated Orthopedists in 2010: 5 Things to Know