Here are 30 stats to know on orthopedic surgeons’ compensation in 2025:
- The average annual wage for orthopedic surgeons, not including pediatrics, in the U.S. is $365,060, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Orthopedic surgeons see higher average wages in outpatient care centers, general medical and surgical hospitals and offices of physicians.
- Orthopedics saw a 3% decline in average annual pay, according to a survey from Medscape.
- Despite orthopedic surgeon pay falling by 3% between 2024 and 2025, overall, the specialty has seen a 25.31% pay hike since 2015.
- After adjusting for inflation, Wisconsin has the highest hourly mean wage for orthopedic surgeons.
- The average annual salary for orthopedic surgeons has increased from $306,220 in 2021 up to $365,060 in 2024.
- Orthopedics and orthopedic surgery is the highest-paid medical specialty, according to a Medscape survey that polled 7,000 physicians across 29 specialties.
- Missouri saw the largest increase in the average annual wage for orthopedic surgeons, growing more than $119,000.
- Virginia, Alabama, Illinois and South Carolina made up the five states where orthopedic surgeon pay increased the most.
- Ohio experienced the largest decrease in the average annual wage for orthopedic surgeons, dropping more than $181,000.
- Louisiana, North Carolina, New Jersey and Arizona made up the five states where orthopedic surgeon pay decreased the most.
- Non-academic orthopedic surgeon positions had an average annual salary of $629,000, according to a report from AMN Healthcare.
- The low for non-academic positions was $515,000.
- The high for non-academic positions was $750,000.
- Academic orthopedic surgeon positions had an average annual salary of $442,500.
- The low for academic positions was $385,000.
- The high for academic positions was $500,000.
- The highest paid orthopedic surgeon in New York City has an average annual salary of $982,2000, has 29-35 years of experience and works in a self-employed setting, according to Medscape’s salary reporter tool.
- The highest paid orthopedic surgeon in Los Angeles has an average annual salary of $1,011,500, has 22-28 years of experience and works in a self-employed setting.
- The highest paid orthopedic surgeon in Chicago has an average annual salary of $944,300, has 15-21 years of experience and works in an employed setting.
- The highest paid orthopedic surgeon in Houston has an average annual salary of $1,064,500, has 22-28 years of experience and works in an employed setting.
- The highest paid orthopedic surgeon in Phoenix has an average annual salary of $858,700, has 15-21 years of experience and works in an employed setting.
- Houston is the best-paying city for orthopedic surgeons with one to seven years of experience, according to Medscape’s salary explorer.
- Salt Lake City is the best-paying city for orthopedic surgeons with 15 to 21 years of experience, according to Medscape’s salary explorer.
- Orthopedic surgeons in employed settings can see a 49% increase in average salary from early to midcareer, according to Medscape.
- Nationwide, orthopedic surgeons with one to seven years of experience earn an average of $410,000 annually.
- While compensation peaks between 15 and 21 years of experience, surgeons later in their careers still earn more than $200,000 above early career peers.
- Orthopedic surgeons in self-employed settings start higher and peak at $750,000 in midcareer, about $110,000 more than employed peers at the same stage. Even with a late-career dip, self-employed surgeons average $690,000.
- Male orthopedic surgeons in the early stages of their careers are earning substantially more than female peers, according to Medscape.
- Among orthopedic surgeons with one to seven years of experience, men earn 48% more than women in employed roles, averaging $443,021 compared to $299,971. In self-employed settings, men earn $525,463, while women earn $346,483 — a 52% gap.
