# Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric

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

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/orthopedic-surgeons-except-pediatric
- SOC code: 29-1242.00
- Career family: Healthcare practitioners
- Median annual pay: $358,550 (10th percentile $84,170, 90th percentile $659,290)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +4.0%
- Openings a year: 400
- Typical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code IRS)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 68 |
| Investigative (I) | 92 |
| Artistic (A) | 8 |
| Social (S) | 64 |
| Enterprising (E) | 23 |
| Conventional (C) | 49 |

## 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

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Medicine](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5112) (CIP 5112, 133 colleges)
- Multiple-Pathway Medical Fellowship Programs (CIP 6102, 2 colleges)

## Related careers

- [Pediatric Surgeons](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/pediatric-surgeons): $559,030 median pay
- [Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/ophthalmologists-except-pediatric): $300,080 median pay
- [Anesthesiologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/anesthesiologists): $391,490 median pay
- [Urologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/urologists): $265,930 median pay
- [Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/oral-and-maxillofacial-surgeons): $352,220 median pay
- [Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/physical-medicine-and-rehabilitation-physicians): $265,930 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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.