SOC 29-1242 · May 2025
Orthopedic Surgeon Salary
Orthopedic Surgeons in the US earn a median of $358,550 a year ($179.60 an hour on average), according to the BLS May 2025 wage survey. Average Orthopedic Surgeon pay climbed from $306,220 in 2021 to $373,570 in 2025, a +22.0% change in 4 years.
Median annual
$358,550
Half of all Orthopedic Surgeons in the United States earn more than this figure, half earn less. From the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 release.
Wage trend
+22.0% since 2021 · +2.3% YoY
Hourly
$179.60
Job growth 2025-35
+4%
US workers
14,100
BLS series
Annual median wage for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric in All Industries in the United States
Salary range
From entry to top decile
The 10th-to-90th percentile spread for Orthopedic Surgeons is $84,170 – $659,290.
Percentile distribution
USD · annual
10th
$84,170
25th
$180,610
Median
$358,550
75th
$530,700
90th
$659,290
Percentile bands
Where your pay would sit
Percentile bands
Annual wages at each point of the BLS distribution for Orthopedic Surgeons. Where you sit depends on experience, employer, location and credentials.
| Percentile | What it means | Annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | 10% earn less. Common for new entrants | $84,170 |
| 25th percentile | A quarter earn less | $180,610 |
| Median | Half earn more, half earn less | $358,550 |
| 75th percentile | A quarter earn more | $530,700 |
| 90th percentile | 10% earn more. Often senior or specialist staff | $659,290 |
Geography
Orthopedic Surgeon pay by state
Orthopedic Surgeons earn the most in Missouri ($842,800, +135% against the national median) and the least in Indiana ($177,710). BLS publishes a May 2025 estimate for this occupation in 31 of 51 states and D.C.
National median
$358,550
Highest-paying states for orthopedic surgeons
| State | Annual median | vs national | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | $842,800 | +135% | – |
| West Virginia | $597,740 | +67% | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $572,060 | +60% | 290 |
| Montana | $560,820 | +56% | – |
| Arizona | $558,970 | +56% | 110 |
| New Hampshire | $555,670 | +55% | 80 |
| Washington | $553,310 | +54% | 290 |
| Mississippi | $544,130 | +52% | – |
| Minnesota | $537,830 | +50% | 320 |
| Oklahoma | $530,070 | +48% | 30 |
All 31 states, highest to lowest
| State | Annual median | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | $842,800 | – |
| West Virginia | $597,740 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $572,060 | 290 |
| Montana | $560,820 | – |
| Arizona | $558,970 | 110 |
| New Hampshire | $555,670 | 80 |
| Washington | $553,310 | 290 |
| Mississippi | $544,130 | – |
| Minnesota | $537,830 | 320 |
| Oklahoma | $530,070 | 30 |
| Nebraska | $507,770 | 200 |
| Virginia | $478,710 | 170 |
| Georgia | $474,820 | 490 |
| Florida | $473,750 | 580 |
| Illinois | $426,580 | 170 |
| New York | $414,290 | 1,450 |
| Michigan | $413,450 | 200 |
| Massachusetts | $392,300 | – |
| Colorado | $385,410 | 410 |
| Pennsylvania | $354,020 | 240 |
| New Jersey | $341,430 | 420 |
| Tennessee | $325,520 | 180 |
| Alabama | $324,570 | 380 |
| North Carolina | $323,630 | 560 |
| Ohio | $323,480 | 500 |
| Kansas | $311,630 | – |
| Arkansas | $262,470 | 350 |
| California | $253,430 | – |
| Texas | $200,780 | 490 |
| Iowa | $189,410 | 260 |
| Indiana | $177,710 | 500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, state estimates, May 2025, all industries.
What affects this salary
Pay drivers for Orthopedic Surgeons
Orthopedic surgeons (BLS SOC 29-1242) diagnose and surgically treat diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. The role requires an MD or DO degree, a 5-year orthopedic surgery residency, often subspecialty fellowship (sports medicine, joint replacement, spine, hand), and board certification. Among the highest-compensated medical specialties; BLS top-codes wages.
The 10th-to-90th percentile spread is $84,170 – $659,290. That gap reflects experience, certification, employer type, geographic cost of living, and shift differentials where applicable.
Geography matters. The best-paying states for this role are Missouri, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Pay in Missouri runs 4.7 times the level in Indiana, before any adjustment for cost of living.
Getting in. BLS lists the typical entry-level education as doctoral or professional degree, and projects about 400 openings a year over 2025-35. Employment is projected to grow 4% over the same period, against 3.5% for all occupations.
Frequently asked
Questions readers ask
Frequently asked
What is the average Orthopedic Surgeon salary in the US?
How much does a Orthopedic Surgeon make an hour?
How much do Orthopedic Surgeons make at the low and high end?
Which state pays Orthopedic Surgeons the most?
Is the average Orthopedic Surgeon salary higher than the median?
Is Orthopedic Surgeon a growing career?
Open positions
Open Orthopedic Surgeon roles hiring now
Browse current Orthopedic Surgeon listings on Indeed and ZipRecruiter, filtered to your role.
Source & methodology
Wage and employment figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2025 release. Standard Occupational Classification: 29-1242. Figures represent the national median, mean, and percentile distribution across all employers and industries. Hourly equivalents assume a 2,080-hour work year. Job growth, annual openings and typical education are from the BLS Employment Projections program, 2025-35; see the Occupational Outlook Handbook entry. Read our methodology for details on how the data is sourced, transformed, and refreshed.