How to become an Orthopedic Surgeon: education, training and the work itself.
The typical entry path BLS lists for the occupation, how much preparation O*NET says it takes, and what the work involves.
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
O*NET has not yet published education, experience or training survey data for this occupation; the entry path shown is BLS's typical one.
BLS 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 (Employment Projections, 2025–35). O*NET's survey estimates of required education for workers in the BLS occupation “Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric” are too imprecise to name a most common level. O*NET places the job in Job Zone 5 of 5 (extensive preparation, preliminary). O*NET has not yet published education, experience or training survey data for this occupation.
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.
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.
What BLS lists for workers in the BLS occupation “Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric”
According to BLS 2025–35 projections data, workers in the BLS occupation “Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric” in the United States typically need no work experience in a related occupation to enter the occupation.
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35
Once hired, workers in the BLS occupation “Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric” in the United States typically need an internship or residency to become fully competent, according to BLS 2025–35 projections data.
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35
Steps to becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon
Data Steps 1 to 3 are BLS Employment Projections data; tools are O*NET; the last step is advice.
- EducationPlan for a doctoral or professional degree
BLS typical entry-level education, 2025–35 projections. O*NET's survey estimates for this job are too imprecise to name a most common level.
- TrainingExpect an internship or residency
BLS's typical on-the-job training to become competent in the occupation.
- ExperienceRelated experience
BLS: no work experience in a related occupation is typical.
- ToolsLearn the tools
Epic Systems, MEDITECH software, Microsoft Windows (examples O*NET reports for the occupation).
- CredentialsCheck licensing where you live
Many occupations need a state license or certification. Requirements vary by state, so confirm with your state's licensing board.
O*NET Job Zone 5 of 5 (preliminary): Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
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.
Data Pay once you are in the job: the BLS median is $358,550; the lowest-paid quarter earn $180,610 or less. See the full Orthopedic Surgeon salary data.
How this page is built
Typical entry-level education, related work experience and on-the-job training are BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 categories for the occupation (BLS: Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric). The Job Zone (preliminary), task statements and tools come from O*NET 31.0, which has not yet published this occupation's education, experience or training survey data.
- Licensing rules in your state.
- Requirements at a specific employer.
- How long the path will take you personally.
- 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.
- 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).
How TryHired builds this data: sources, methods and downloads. Spotted an error? Report a correction.