Spine and orthopedic surgeons are among the physicians with the highest average compensation.
10 stats to know:
1. Orthopedics saw a 3% decline in average annual pay, according to a survey from Medscape. Orthopedics is the highest-paid specialty with an average annual salary of $543,000.
2. According to Doximity’s Physician Compensation Report 2025, neurosurgery topped the list of highest-paid specialties with an average salary of $749,140. Orthopedics came in third with $679,517.
3. According to Doximity, neurosurgery had the smallest gender pay gap with men earning 11.3% more than women in the specialty.
4. Orthopedic surgeons see higher average wages in outpatient care centers, general medical and surgical hospitals and offices of physicians, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
5. AMN Health’s 2025 “Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives” report found that the average starting salary for orthopedic surgeons is $576,000. That figure decreased 16% year over year.
6. The average starting pay for orthopedic surgeons in academic settings is lower with $442,500. Non-academic orthopedic starting pay is an average $629,000.
7. Houston is the best-paying city for orthopedic surgeons with one to seven years of experience, according to Medscape’s salary explorer.
8. Salt Lake City is the best-paying city for orthopedic surgeons with 15 to 21 years of experience, according to Medscape’s salary explorer.
9. Orthopedic surgeons in employed settings can see a 49% increase in average salary from early to midcareer, according to Medscape.
10. 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.
