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The differences between orthopedic surgeons and radiologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an orthopedic surgeon and a radiologist. Additionally, a radiologist has an average salary of $298,405, which is higher than the $137,571 average annual salary of an orthopedic surgeon.
The top three skills for an orthopedic surgeon include patients, spine and EMR. The most important skills for a radiologist are patients, pacs, and patient care.
| Orthopedic Surgeon | Radiologist | |
| Yearly salary | $137,571 | $298,405 |
| Hourly rate | $66.14 | $143.46 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 5,046 | 1,536 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 49 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An orthopedic surgeon specializes in performing surgeries to treat different issues concerning a patient's musculoskeletal system. Their responsibilities primarily revolve around conducting extensive examinations on a patient to determine their condition, analyzing their medical records, coordinating with nurses and other specialists to ensure the accuracy of treatments, and maintaining a thorough record of information. Records include appointments, comments, and results. There are also instances when a surgeon must refer patients to therapists and provide advice for post-surgery care. Furthermore, it is essential to monitor a patient's condition before and after surgery.
A radiologist is responsible for interpreting and evaluating medical image results to diagnose medical conditions and refer to medical professionals for immediate treatment plans. Radiologists analyze the patient's medical history to determine their medical conditions before the radiology procedure. They utilize various high-level machinery, requiring them to have strong knowledge of operating the equipment to ensure accurate results and reports. A radiologist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in discussing the medical processes to the patients and responding to any inquiries and concerns they may have.
Orthopedic surgeons and radiologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Orthopedic Surgeon | Radiologist | |
| Average salary | $137,571 | $298,405 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $257,000 | Between $124,000 And $714,000 |
| Highest paying City | Brockton, MA | Rochester, MN |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Trinity Health | Allina Health |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an orthopedic surgeon and a radiologist in terms of educational background:
| Orthopedic Surgeon | Radiologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | New York University | Texas A&M University |
Here are the differences between orthopedic surgeons' and radiologists' demographics:
| Orthopedic Surgeon | Radiologist | |
| Average age | 49 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9% | Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 1.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 5.0% Asian, 12.7% White, 76.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.6% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 13% |