SOC 29-1242.00

    Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric

    Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.

    Median pay
    $358,550
    Growth
    +4.0%
    As fast as average
    Openings a year
    400
    Typical education
    Doctoral or professional degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $84,170
    Median
    $358,550
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $659,290
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    14,100 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Orthopedic surgeons diagnose and perform surgeries on the human musculoskeletal system to treat rheumatic and other physical diseases. This highly specialized medical career offers a median annual pay of $358,550.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric do

    Job Zone 5: Extensive preparation

    Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.

    Most need a graduate degree, such as a master's, PhD, MD or JD.

    What the work is like

    Orthopedic surgeons focus on treating injuries and conditions affecting the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. On a daily basis, these doctors examine patients, analyze medical imaging, and perform surgical procedures to correct deformities or repair structural damage.

    This profession attracts individuals with strong investigative interests who enjoy solving complex medical puzzles. Succeeding in this role requires a high level of attention to detail and cautiousness to ensure patient safety during delicate procedures. Because the operating room can be a high-pressure environment, surgeons must possess excellent stress tolerance, self-control, and dependability. They also need perseverance and an achievement orientation to manage long surgeries and oversee patient recovery. Strong leadership orientation and self-confidence help them direct surgical teams and make critical decisions.

    How to get there

    Entering this career requires extensive academic and clinical preparation. Candidates must earn a doctoral or professional degree, typically by completing medical school and a residency program. Common college majors that lead to this field include medicine and multiple-pathway medical fellowship programs.

    Because of the advanced skills required, this occupation is classified as needing extensive preparation. Prospective surgeons must also navigate state-specific professional requirements, as some states list a license for this work. After completing their core medical training, many choose to pursue specialized fellowships to focus on specific areas of the body, such as the spine, hands, or reconstructive joint surgery.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for orthopedic surgeons is $358,550. The lowest 10 percent of earners in this field make less than $84,170, while the highest 10 percent earn more than $659,290.

    There are approximately 14,100 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 4 percent, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in about 400 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R)
    68 / 100
    Investigative (I) · strongest
    92 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    8 / 100
    Social (S)
    64 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    23 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    49 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code IRS. Compare it with yours

    Skills and strengths

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Dependability
    • Cautiousness
    • Stress Tolerance
    • Self-Control
    • Perseverance
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Self-Confidence
    • Leadership Orientation

    Also called

    Doctor · Foot and Ankle Surgeon · General Orthopedic Surgeon · General Surgeon · Hand Surgeon · Medical Doctor (MD) · Orthopaedic Surgeon · Orthopedic Hand Surgeon · Orthopedic Physician · Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

    Career pathway

    From your interests to orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$358,550 median pay

    3. Majors

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Medicine
    • Orthopedic Surgery of the Spine Fellowship Program
    • Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program
    • Orthopedic Surgery Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other
    • Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy
    • Surgery of the Hand Fellowship Program

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    53 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Federal

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

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    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

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    Questions about orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What is the typical educational path for this career?

    Aspiring surgeons must complete a doctoral or professional degree, which involves graduating from medical school. Following medical school, they must complete several years of residency training and potentially specialized fellowships.

    Are there licensing requirements for orthopedic surgeons?

    Yes, some states list a license for this work. Prospective surgeons must meet specific state board guidelines to practice medicine legally.

    What are some alternative names for this profession?

    People in this line of work are also called orthopaedic surgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, hand surgeons, and foot and ankle surgeons. They are also referred to generally as medical doctors or general surgeons.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.