Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric, work in a highly specialized medical field that shows measured growth and a defined educational path. National employment stands at 15,000 positions, with projected employment growth of 4.1%. This indicates a profession that is expected to expand rather than contract over time. The role typically requires a doctoral or professional degree, reflecting the advanced level of responsibility and expertise involved. A strong mix of skills is important, including detail orientation, problem solving and decision making, fine motor abilities, science knowledge, and strong interpersonal skills. Critical and analytical thinking, writing and reading, adaptability, customer service, and leadership also play key roles in this career. Individuals considering this path can explore opportunities across multiple states and metro areas, some of which show notable employment levels and high opportunity scores. Overall, this is a demanding but potentially rewarding career for those prepared to complete extensive education and develop a broad, high-level skill set.
Salary potential for orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric, varies significantly by location. Among the top states listed, Washington shows a median salary of $553,310, while Virginia reports $478,710 and New York $414,290. Colorado’s median salary is $385,410, and Texas is listed at $200,780. At the metro level, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA reports the highest median salary at $576,130. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN shows a median of $446,510, while New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ and Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD are clustered around the mid-$340,000 range. Boulder, CO is listed at $211,600. These figures highlight that compensation can differ widely between regions, even within the same state or general area. For professionals and students planning their careers, comparing state and metro salaries can be important when weighing potential locations.
The employment outlook for orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric, reflects steady expansion. National employment is reported at 15,000, with projected employment growth of 4.1%. This same 4.1% growth rate appears consistently across the listed states and metro areas, indicating a uniform projection in the regions highlighted. Although annual openings are listed as 0, employment is still projected to grow, so this figure should be considered alongside the overall growth percentage and current employment levels. In states like New York, employment is 1,450, and Texas shows 490 positions, while Colorado, Washington, and Virginia have smaller but notable employment counts. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ has 1,520 employed, while Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA and Boulder, CO show smaller employment bases. For those planning long-term, the combination of existing employment and projected growth suggests ongoing demand in this specialized field.
Location choice can meaningfully shape the career experience of orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric, based on salaries, employment levels, and opportunity scores. Among states, New York stands out with an opportunity score of 65.78, median salary of $414,290, and employment of 1,450. Washington and Colorado both have opportunity scores in the mid-50s, with Washington offering a higher median salary of $553,310 but lower employment at 290. Colorado shows an opportunity score of 56.97, median salary of $385,410, and employment of 410. Virginia and Texas also appear in the top states list, with differing combinations of salary, employment, and opportunity scores. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ has the highest opportunity score at 77.27 and the largest employment at 1,520. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA combines a high median salary of $576,130 with an opportunity score of 61.92. Boulder, CO, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN offer additional options with distinct salary and employment profiles.
Becoming an orthopedic surgeon, except pediatric, typically requires a doctoral or professional degree. This reflects the advanced medical training and extensive preparation expected in this career path. The required education supports a wide-ranging skill profile. Detail orientation and fine motor skills are central, aligning with the precision needed in this field. Strong problem solving and decision making, along with critical and analytical thinking, contribute to handling complex clinical situations. Science knowledge is fundamental, while writing and reading skills support documentation and information review. Interpersonal abilities and customer service skills are also emphasized, indicating the importance of working effectively with patients and colleagues. Adaptability helps professionals respond to changing circumstances, and leadership skills support guiding teams and contributing to organizational decisions. Students and career changers should be prepared for a long educational journey and ongoing skill development to succeed in this role.
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