Orthopedic Surgeon: what the job is, what it pays, and how to get in.
The work, the tools, the pay range and the typical entry path, from U.S. government data, plus every TryHired page for the role.
10% of orthopedic surgeons earn less than this amount.
- Annual
- $84,170
- Hourly
- $40.46
- Source
- BLS May 2025
25% of orthopedic surgeons earn less than this amount.
- Annual
- $180,610
- Hourly
- $86.83
- Source
- BLS May 2025
Half of orthopedic surgeons earn more than this and half earn less.
- Annual
- $358,550
- Hourly
- $172.38
- Source
- BLS May 2025
75% of orthopedic surgeons earn less than this amount.
- Annual
- $530,700
- Hourly
- $255.15
- Source
- BLS May 2025
90% of orthopedic surgeons earn less than this amount.
- Annual
- $659,290
- Hourly
- $316.97
- Source
- BLS May 2025
Orthopedic Surgeons diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system. The median pay is $358,550 a year ($172.38 an hour) (BLS, May 2025). BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry-level education (Employment Projections, 2025–35). O*NET has published only part of this occupation's profile, so no skills ratings are shown.
- Median pay
- $358,550
- BLS May 2025
- Employed in the U.S.
- 14,100
- BLS May 2025
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- extensive preparation · preliminary (O*NET)
- Typical entry-level education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- BLS Employment Projections
Data O*NET has published only part of its profile for this occupation: tasks, tools and technology, related occupations and a preliminary Job Zone. Its skills, knowledge, work activities and education and training survey data are not yet published (O*NET: “Data collection is currently underway to populate other parts of the profile”), so this page shows no skills ratings and no survey shares.
Data Government data groups this job as Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric (O*NET-SOC 29-1242.00). Figures on this page are for that occupation.
Orthopedic Surgeons at a glance
Workers in the BLS occupation “Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric” in the United States earned a median annual wage of $358,550 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
In its 2025–35 employment projections, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry-level education for workers in the BLS occupation “Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric” in the United States.
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35
BLS projects employment of workers in the BLS occupation “Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric” in the United States to grow 4.0% from 2025 to 2035, with about 400 openings a year on average, including replacement openings.
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35
BLS estimated that 14,100 people were employed in the BLS occupation “Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric” in the United States in May 2025, not counting the self-employed.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Every page for Orthopedic Surgeons
What orthopedic surgeons do
Data Tasks O*NET lists for the occupation, in O*NET's order. O*NET has not yet published importance ratings for them, so they are not ranked.
- Analyze patient's medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and examination results to verify operation's necessity and to determine best procedure.
- Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques that can improve operating procedures and outcomes related to musculoskeletal injuries and diseases.
- Diagnose bodily disorders and orthopedic conditions, and provide treatments, such as medicines and surgeries, in clinics, hospital wards, or operating rooms.
- Diagnose or treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
- Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, residents, and other medical staff.
- Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.
- Examine patient to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk.
- Follow established surgical techniques during the operation.
Software orthopedic surgeons use
Data Examples reported for the occupation; employer demand flags from O*NET.
- Epic SystemsMedical softwareIn demand
- MEDITECH softwareMedical softwareHot technology
- Computer imaging softwareGraphics or photo imaging software
- Electronic medical record EMR softwareMedical software
- Human resources management system HRMSHuman resources software
- Image-guided surgery softwareMedical software
- Integra Radionics NeuroSight ArcMedical software
- Medical laser control softwareMedical software
- Practice management software PMSMedical software
- Robotic surgery softwareMedical software
- Three-dimensional 3D virtual surgery softwareMedical software
- Microsoft WindowsOperating system softwareHot technology
Also called: General Surgeon, Hand Surgeon, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Physician, Surgeon.
How this page is built
Tasks, tools, related occupations and the preliminary Job Zone come from O*NET 31.0, which has not yet published this occupation's skills, knowledge or education survey data. Pay and employment come from the BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimates. The typical entry-level education comes from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35.
- How a specific employer defines the job.
- Pay for self-employed workers (OEWS covers employees).
- Which skills matter most: O*NET has not yet rated them for this occupation.
- O*NET 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. TryHired selected, ranked and combined the data; O*NET is not responsible for these pages.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates (public domain).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, Occupational projections, 2025–35 (released Aug 27, 2026; occupation.xlsx, Tables 1.2 and 1.10; retrieved Oct 25, 2026). Definitions.
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