Orthopedic spine surgeons were compensated more than other orthopedic specialties. Spine surgeons were the most highly compensated orthopedic specialists last year, making an average annual salary of $710,055 while sports medicine physicians were second, making an average of $653,642. In 2009, hip and joint surgeons made an average of $597,834, trauma orthopedic surgeons made an average annual salary of $592,563 and hand surgeons made $544,106. General orthopedic surgeons made an average annual salary of $524,259 and foot and ankle surgeons made $518,463. The average on-call rate for orthopedic surgeons was $958.
Of spine surgeons, those at multi-specialty practices earned the most. Spine surgeons working in multi-specialty group practices made $622,568 in 2009, while spine surgeons working in a single-specialty group practice made $605,139. Spine surgeons working in metropolitan areas of 50,000-250,000 residents were compensated at $717,710, which is higher than in any other metropolitan or non-metropolitan area. The Midwest was the highest compensated region of spine surgeons at $744,857.
Of sports medicine physicians, those at single-specialty groups earned the most. Sports medicine physicians working in single-specialty group practices made an average of $599,948 last year, more than those working in multi-specialty groups. Sports medicine physicians working in metropolitan areas with a population of more than one million residents made an average of $617,913, which is $44,457 more than the second highest demographic classification of sports medicine physicians working in metropolitan areas of 250,000 to one million residents, who earned $573,456 annually.
Hip and joint surgeons earned more than trauma orthopedic surgeons. Hip and joint orthopedic surgeons earned an average of $597,834 in 2009 while trauma orthopedic surgeons earned $592,536. Hip and joint surgeons practicing at single-specialty groups earned an average of $568,389 annually, which is $4,250 more than hip and joint surgeons practicing in multi-specialty groups in 2009. Trauma orthopedic surgeons, on the other hand, earned $40,048 more at multi-specialty groups ($563,903) than single specialty groups ($523,855). The most profitable region of practice for hip and joint surgeons was the South, where they were compensated at $596,662 on average annually.
Hand surgeons earn more than foot and ankle surgeons. Hand surgeons earn an average of $544,106 annually, compared with the annual compensation of foot and ankle surgeon recorded as $518,463. Hand surgeons in single-specialty groups were compensated at $511,263, higher than in multi-specialty groups. However, foot and ankle surgeons were compensated higher in multi-specialty groups, earning an average of $515,652 annually. Both hand and foot and ankle surgeons practicing in the South earned the most last year. Hand surgeons practicing in the South earned an average of $607,290 while foot and ankle surgeons practicing in the South earned an average of $580,903 annually.
General orthopedic surgeons earn more in multi-specialty practices. General orthopedic surgeons who practice at multi-specialty practices earn an average of $475,403 annually, which is more than general orthopedic surgeons who work at single-specialty practices. The highest compensated region for general orthopedic surgeons was the Midwest, where they were compensated at $536,371 on average annually, which is $12,121 more than the national average ($524,250).
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