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Job outlook for orthopedic surgeons in the United States
Orthopedic surgeon job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected orthopedic surgeon job growth rate is 7% from 2018-2028.
About 55,400 new jobs for orthopedic surgeons are projected over the next decade.
Orthopedic surgeon salaries have increased 5% for orthopedic surgeons in the last 5 years.
There are over 21,068 orthopedic surgeons currently employed in the United States.
There are 5,046 active orthopedic surgeon job openings in the US.
The average orthopedic surgeon salary is $137,571.
Are orthopedic surgeon jobs in demand?
Orthopedic surgeon job and salary trends over time
Orthopedic surgeon jobs over time
Orthopedic surgeon job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 21,068 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 15,498 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 17,492 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 15,522 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 17,422 | 0.01% |
Average orthopedic surgeon salary over time
Orthopedic surgeon salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $137,571 | $66.14 | +2.5% |
| 2024 | $134,231 | $64.53 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $131,966 | $63.45 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | $130,300 | $62.64 | --0.4% |
| 2021 | $130,828 | $62.90 | +2.2% |
Orthopedic surgeon jobs by state
Most common states for orthopedic surgeons
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 623,657 | 23 | 4% |
| 2 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 45 | 3% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 21 | 3% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 20 | 3% |
| 5 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 113 | 2% |
| 6 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 108 | 2% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 103 | 2% |
| 8 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 64 | 2% |
| 9 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 60 | 2% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 28 | 2% |
| 11 | New York | 19,849,399 | 193 | 1% |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 162 | 1% |
| 13 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 134 | 1% |
| 14 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 63 | 1% |
| 15 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 60 | 1% |
| 16 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 56 | 1% |
| 17 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 36 | 1% |
| 18 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 24 | 1% |
| 19 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 22 | 1% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 10 | 1% |
Most common cities for orthopedic surgeons
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clearfield | 2 | 6% | $85,122 |
| 2 | Gillette | 2 | 6% | $71,277 |
| 3 | Kaysville | 2 | 6% | $85,018 |
| 4 | Laramie | 2 | 6% | $68,949 |
| 5 | Bountiful | 2 | 5% | $85,099 |
| 6 | Casper | 2 | 3% | $69,588 |
| 7 | Cheyenne | 2 | 3% | $69,000 |
| 8 | Idaho Falls | 2 | 3% | $91,045 |
| 9 | Layton | 2 | 3% | $85,041 |
| 10 | Meridian | 2 | 2% | $102,899 |
| 11 | Houston | 4 | 0% | $93,100 |
Orthopedic Surgeon job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of orthopedic surgeon experts
Western University of Health Sciences
Western University of Health Sciences
Marshall University
University of Virginia
The University of Akron
Morehouse School of Medicine
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
Washburn University
Albright College
Rebecca Moellmer DPM, FACFAS, FAAPSM, DABPM
Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs and Faculty Affairs, Associate ProfessorWestern University of Health Sciences
Podiatric Medicine/Podiatry
What general advice would you give to an Orthopedic Surgeon?
Rebecca Moellmer DPM, FACFAS, FAAPSM, DABPM: My advice is to take every opportunity that comes your way. You don’t know that you don’t like it until you try it: serving as an officer of your local society, getting involved in research, student outreach, community outreach, special olympics, speaking for an online or in-person lecture, assisting an ortho on a knee at your hospital or writing a blog. So many things come to mind!
What Orthopedic Surgeon skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rebecca Moellmer DPM, FACFAS, FAAPSM, DABPM: When first starting out, regardless of your hard work and salary, live modestly and invest - find an investor you trust. Again, take every opportunity that comes your way. You'll meet new people and find new skills and interests. It is also important to take the path to board certification which opens more doors.
What will help Orthopedic Surgeons increase their earning potential?
Rebecca Moellmer DPM, FACFAS, FAAPSM, DABPM: When first starting out, regardless of your hard work and salary, live modestly and invest – find an investor you trust. Again, take every opportunity that comes your way. You’ll meet new people and find new skills and interests. It is also important to take the path to board certification which opens more doors.
Rachel Chappell
Assistant Program Director, Associate ProfessorWhat will help Orthopedic Surgeons increase their earning potential?
Rachel Chappell: Nights, holidays, weekends, and surgical subspecialty usually ensure a higher salary. Unfortunately, most of them are also associated with higher rates of burnout.
What will help Orthopedic Surgeons increase their earning potential?
Jonathan Labovitz: Podiatric medicine and surgery is an exciting and rewarding career. Your hard work throughout podiatric medical school and residency got you to this point, and that same effort is directly related to your success in practice
What Orthopedic Surgeon skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Colclough: This is a great question, and if I wish I had the answer. I do know this however, performers need to have a skill set that can subsidize their careers. The restaurant/bar industry, more than any other has answered this call. Unfortunately Covid-19 has impacted the restaurant/bar industry more than any other. So challenging on so many levels. What to do? Practical skills that correlate to an individual's unique interests seem like a good place to start. How can the performer utilize known skills to garner a paycheck? Everything from handyman/construction for those who excelled in their technical theatre classes, to personal assistants for those who have a flair for logistics could offer avenues for success if developed. With technology taking more of a central role in the industry, it's possible to enhance those skills during a gap year-this may not help with your monthly bottom line (financially speaking) but would make you better prepared once the year is over. Gap years are a perfect time to hone those skills that need a bit of TLC, for instance: dance classes, voice classes, picking up a second language or a musical instrument-anything that might add another skill set to the resume is worth the time and effort.
What general advice would you give to an Orthopedic Surgeon?
John Colclough: Be patient and stay informed. Many performers think their career is about the work in the rehearsal hall or in performance-not so, the real work is in the management of your business. Being an authority of WHO, WHAT and WHERE is key. WHO are the players in your market? The directors, actors, casting people, producing organizations, etc...these are who you need to know-your network. WHAT opportunities exist in your market? The theatres, video companies, universities (if you have an MFA you may be able to teach a class or two), Improvisation groups, any opportunity that allows you to grow your brand is worth your attention. And finally, WHERE are the opportunities-knowing your community and having a sense of how each company fits into the fabric of the community. Having a sense of where the company resides both geographically and virtually (web sites) and having a solid knowledge base of details of each company can inform your marketing tactics as well as provide you with specific details unique to each organization. Careers develop over time and keeping expectations realistic over the first year can be challenging. Be practical and methodical in your approach: save money (there's never enough), find a place to live (the best you can afford), find a side hustle (you're going to need money and routine), find out the lay of the land (WHO, WHAT, and WHERE), develop your skill set (take a class and meet colleagues), go to productions, screenings, workshops, document your growth (keep a journal or calendar to track your progress), celebrate your successes and be patient with your stumbles-Hard knocks are the best teachers!
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Orthopedic Surgeon job market given the pandemic?
Rajesh Balkrishnan Ph.D.: Focus on hiring restricted to those who can fulfill multiple roles in given jobs
Focus on hiring self-starters and those who can work independently and remotely
Focus on more remote technology-based healthcare delivery such as telemedicine
What skills stand out on Orthopedic Surgeon resumes?
Rajesh Balkrishnan Ph.D.: Flexibility and resilience with work
Ability to lead projects with minimal supervision
Self-starter abilities and evidence of adaptability to newer work environments
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Orthopedic Surgeons to find work opportunities?
Rajesh Balkrishnan Ph.D.: Areas close to IT Hubs or where there are many new startups (For example, Northern Virginia or Bay Area)
Areas where health care technology industry is growing (Boston, NJ)
What skills stand out on Orthopedic Surgeon resumes?
Dr. Stephen Weeks: Generally, employers like to see "hands-on" skills for graduates. So, lab-based classes, internships, volunteer work (e.g., in hospitals or other health care settings), and experience in research labs look great on resumes. Because biology is such a diverse field, I cannot point to specific skills for the entire range of biology. Generally, however, having good writing skills will almost certainly be helpful for any biology career.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Orthopedic Surgeons to find work opportunities?
Dr. Stephen Weeks: I do not know the answer to this question. Healthcare is the fastest growing job market in biology, and such jobs are located primarily in larger metropolitan areas across the country.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Orthopedic Surgeon job market given the pandemic?
Erica Sutton: Our Associate Dean for Admissions reported that there has been an upward trend in applications, indicating that more people than ever are pursuing service in the medical field. We may see this trend occur also in "frontline specialties" such as emergency medicine and critical care.
What skills stand out on Orthopedic Surgeon resumes?
Erica Sutton: A desire to serve others greatly stands out this year.
Melissa Matusek
Director of Marketing and CommunicationsAmerican College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
What type of skills will young Orthopedic Surgeons need?
Melissa Matusek: When DPMs enter the workforce after residency, the skills needed are many. First, they must have flexibility since the landscape and job descriptions of the profession of foot and ankle surgery are constantly changing. Those just out of training also must be motivated because the first few years out of training is when the stakes are high, when you are spending your time building a practice to prove your worth to patients and the profession.
Plus, aside from continuing to develop surgical skills and learn about the medical management of patients, there is an ever-changing need for a deep understanding of how the business of medicine works. Physicians are entering different work environments that place a variety of demands on them. Patients are also becoming more and more fixated on the costs of their health to themselves and are relying more and more on insurance coverage. These topics and skillsets are beyond the general knowledge base of resident physicians. They also need to be well-versed and adept in the changes in healthcare and insurance/billing practices.
The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons offers not the surgical skills courses needed for foot and ankle surgeons but also a coding and billing course to help practice management skills and show surgeons at all levels how to get paid for the services they perform.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Orthopedic Surgeons to find work opportunities?
Melissa Matusek: Positions for foot and ankle surgeons seem to be available across the country, with no particular region presenting more opportunities than others. It all depends on the type of work a foot and ankle surgeon is looking to practice and what type of setting. There are many types of practice settings available in the profession; it's all about preference and lifestyle.
There are medium and large group practices looking to expand across the U.S. and a good option for graduating residents entering practice. Again, it would depend on locality and lifestyle preferences.
Those newly practicing foot and ankle surgeons should also look to rural areas in either health systems or multi-specialty groups. Many residents taking hospital-based/employed positions in these underserved areas can receive excellent compensation packages. These are locations that likely have zero to minimal foot and ankle services but need to expand to serve the growing demand.
How do you envision technology impacting Orthopedic Surgeons in the next 5 years?
Melissa Matusek: Technology is constantly changing. The future may hold more individual and customized treatments for patients. While this may complicate the physician's job, it ultimately could make for better treatment plans. Data may also be more apparent with respect to a patient's genetic code, which could allow for more individualized preventive treatments.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, medicine has been able to adapt more with technology in regard to telehealth visits. As long as insurance continues to cover the service, it could become a regular option for patients and foot and ankle surgeons.
Insofar as a technology with surgical procedure impacts, new technologies and devices are a constant in the ever-evolving world of medicine. Foot and ankle surgeons should expect new technologies, and embrace the advancements that may come their way for the betterment of the health of their patients and the profession. As device advertising becomes more mainstream, patients may also be starting to ask for new technologies and foot and ankle surgeons will need to be kept informed on the latest advances.
What are the best companies to work for an Orthopedic Surgeon?
Brian Thomas Ph.D.: A degree in physics can open doors to working at companies in a variety of industries. Research and development teams at aerospace, computer, software, telecommunications, and other technical-focused companies employ people with degrees in physics at all levels. People trained in physics also work in other areas, including journalism, finance, even the entertainment industry. I don't know that I can recommend any specific companies, but generally, any company focused on technical solutions will likely be a good fit.
What experience really stands out on Orthopedic Surgeon resumes?
Justin Couchman Ph.D.: Even during the pandemic, the main things that stand out on a resume are internships and research experience. That might be online now or under strange new conditions, but still, get it where you can. Make an opportunity for yourself or suggest possible ways of getting involved in video conferences or online research. The methods are changing, but counselors are still working on Zoom and other platforms.
One of the most common interview questions is: "Describe a situation in which you faced great difficulty and how you handled it." Every recent graduate has been faced with great difficulty, and it is good to think about how you can handle it and pull as much good out of the situation as possible. In many ways forming your personal story is more comfortable today because there are many more challenges and many more opportunities to succeed.