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Surgeon salary
Average surgeon salary
$155,553
Average Surgeon Salary
The average salary for a surgeon in the United States is around $155,553 annually. This figure can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the specific medical specialty. For instance, surgeons specializing in orthopedics or neurosurgery often earn more than those in general surgery.
Surgeon Salary by State
Salary estimates indicate that surgeons in high-demand areas, like California and New York, can earn significantly higher than the national average. In contrast, states with lower demand may offer salaries that are less competitive.
Factors Influencing Salary
Experience greatly affects a surgeon's earning potential. Entry-level surgeons may start at lower salaries, but as they gain experience and expertise, their earnings typically increase. Additionally, the type of healthcare facility, such as hospitals or private practices, also plays a role in salary variations.
Job Opportunities
Surgeons have numerous job opportunities across various healthcare settings, and this demand is expected to grow. Those seeking to enter the field should consider pursuing advanced education and training to enhance their qualifications and job prospects.
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Where can a Surgeon earn more?
Surgeon salary estimates from across the web
Average surgeon salary by state
The average surgeon salary in Maine, New Hampshire, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average surgeon salary states are Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for surgeons
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $158,298 | $76.10 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $145,184 | $69.80 |
| 3 | Wisconsin | $130,439 | $62.71 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $137,283 | $66.00 |
| 5 | New York | $141,044 | $67.81 |
| 6 | Vermont | $128,572 | $61.81 |
| 7 | Nevada | $128,907 | $61.97 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $124,358 | $59.79 |
| 9 | Alaska | $126,742 | $60.93 |
| 10 | West Virginia | $119,946 | $57.67 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $139,566 | $67.10 |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $139,148 | $66.90 |
| 13 | Kentucky | $114,795 | $55.19 |
| 14 | Ohio | $123,838 | $59.54 |
| 15 | Oregon | $120,905 | $58.13 |
| 16 | Minnesota | $121,870 | $58.59 |
| 17 | Virginia | $126,679 | $60.90 |
| 18 | Connecticut | $129,099 | $62.07 |
| 19 | Louisiana | $116,825 | $56.17 |
| 20 | New Jersey | $132,992 | $63.94 |
| 21 | Indiana | $113,883 | $54.75 |
| 22 | Michigan | $116,994 | $56.25 |
| 23 | Washington | $119,443 | $57.42 |
| 24 | Mississippi | $114,778 | $55.18 |
| 25 | Illinois | $114,394 | $55.00 |
| 26 | South Dakota | $106,153 | $51.04 |
| 27 | Montana | $108,919 | $52.36 |
| 28 | Arizona | $107,618 | $51.74 |
| 29 | Maryland | $116,007 | $55.77 |
| 30 | North Carolina | $109,789 | $52.78 |
| 31 | Missouri | $111,858 | $53.78 |
| 32 | Delaware | $115,301 | $55.43 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $102,437 | $49.25 |
| 34 | Hawaii | $112,572 | $54.12 |
| 35 | Idaho | $110,440 | $53.10 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $108,773 | $52.29 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | $97,719 | $46.98 |
| 38 | Iowa | $100,080 | $48.12 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $104,389 | $50.19 |
| 40 | New Mexico | $92,108 | $44.28 |
| 41 | California | $112,758 | $54.21 |
| 42 | Georgia | $100,849 | $48.49 |
| 43 | Kansas | $98,168 | $47.20 |
| 44 | Texas | $101,158 | $48.63 |
| 45 | District of Columbia | $111,322 | $53.52 |
| 46 | Tennessee | $87,981 | $42.30 |
| 47 | Alabama | $95,278 | $45.81 |
| 48 | Wyoming | $90,847 | $43.68 |
| 49 | Florida | $82,859 | $39.84 |
| 50 | Utah | $94,314 | $45.34 |
| 51 | Colorado | $85,617 | $41.16 |
Highest paying cities for surgeons
The highest-paying cities for surgeons are Lewiston, ME, New York, NY, and Andover, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewiston, ME | $171,675 | $82.54 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $148,807 | $71.54 |
| 3 | Andover, MA | $146,349 | $70.36 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $145,963 | $70.17 |
| 5 | Jersey City, NJ | $139,533 | $67.08 |
| 6 | Hartford, CT | $134,919 | $64.86 |
| 7 | Cleveland, OH | $134,231 | $64.53 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $132,044 | $63.48 |
| 9 | Madison, WI | $131,070 | $63.01 |
| 10 | Richmond, VA | $130,235 | $62.61 |
| 11 | Seattle, WA | $123,995 | $59.61 |
| 12 | Minneapolis, MN | $123,971 | $59.60 |
| 13 | Richmond, CA | $121,043 | $58.19 |
| 14 | Detroit, MI | $119,980 | $57.68 |
| 15 | Chicago, IL | $117,500 | $56.49 |
| 16 | Indianapolis, IN | $114,903 | $55.24 |
| 17 | Washington, DC | $113,061 | $54.36 |
| 18 | Kansas City, MO | $110,900 | $53.32 |
| 19 | Omaha, NE | $110,620 | $53.18 |
| 20 | Phoenix, AZ | $109,745 | $52.76 |
Surgeon salary details
A surgeon's salary ranges from $85,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $284,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a surgeon's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $284,000 | $23,667 | $137 |
| 75th Percentile | $213,000 | $17,750 | $102 |
| Average | $155,553 | $12,963 | $75 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,000 | $9,417 | $54 |
| 10th Percentile | $85,000 | $7,083 | $41 |
Highest paying surgeon jobs
The highest paying types of surgeons are foot and ankle surgeon, thoracic surgeon, and upper extremity surgeon.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physician | $238,887 | $19,907 | $114.85 | 46,489 |
| Doctor | $208,582 | $17,382 | $100.28 | 14,571 |
| Orthopaedic Surgeon | $233,519 | $19,460 | $112.27 | 3,563 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $137,571 | $11,464 | $66.14 | 5,046 |
| Vascular Surgeon | $324,217 | $27,018 | $155.87 | 20,391 |
| Thoracic Surgeon | $437,281 | $36,440 | $210.23 | 3,460 |
Top companies hiring surgeons now:
Which companies pay surgeons the most?
Surgeon salaries at MaineGeneral Health and Scripps Health are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average surgeon salary at companies like Advocate Aurora Health and Houston Methodist are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MaineGeneral Health | $367,507 | $176.69 |
| 2 | Scripps Health | $347,792 | $167.21 |
| 3 | Advocate Aurora Health | $331,658 | $159.45 |
| 4 | Houston Methodist | $322,591 | $155.09 |
| 5 | Altru Health System | $320,443 | $154.06 |
| 6 | Piedmont Healthcare | $319,363 | $153.54 |
| 7 | Aurora Health Care | $318,116 | $152.94 |
| 8 | Northwestern Medicine | $315,988 | $151.92 |
| 9 | Penobscot Valley Hospital | $308,238 | $148.19 |
| 10 | Baylor Scott & White Health | $307,968 | $148.06 |
| 11 | Wellmont Health System | $305,636 | $146.94 |
| 12 | DMH | $303,191 | $145.76 |
| 13 | Virtua Health | $298,222 | $143.38 |
| 14 | Greenwood Leflore Hospital | $293,676 | $141.19 |
| 15 | OSF HealthCare | $291,872 | $140.32 |
| 16 | Olathe Health | $282,585 | $135.86 |
| 17 | Northern Arizona Healthcare Corporation | $282,088 | $135.62 |
| 18 | United Medical Center | $279,592 | $134.42 |
| 19 | Hays Medical Center | $278,145 | $133.72 |
| 20 | CovenantHealth | $272,463 | $130.99 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Surgeon salary trends
The average surgeon salary has risen by $20,118 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average surgeon earned $135,435 annually, but today, they earn $155,553 a year. That works out to a 5% change in pay for surgeons over the last decade.
Compare surgeon salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average surgeon salary over time
Compare surgeon salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Surgeon salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $156,000 | $74.78 | +2.4% |
| 2025 | $152,000 | $72.97 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $149,000 | $71.74 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $147,000 | $70.83 | -0.4% |
| 2022 | $148,000 | $71.12 | +2.1% |
Recently added surgeon salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Healthcare Services | Breast Surgeon | Denville, NJ | 06/27/2025 | $350,000 |
| Virginia Mason Franciscan Health | Acute Care Surgeon | Gig Harbor, WA | 06/27/2025 | $454,716 |
| Eye To Eye Careers | Glaucoma Surgeon Ophthalmologist + Relocation Reimbursement Available! | Phoenix, AZ | 06/26/2025 | $350,000 |
| Eye To Eye Careers | Glaucoma Surgeon Ophthalmologist Available! | York, PA | 06/26/2025 | $350,000 |
| Mission Regional Medical Center | Breast Surgeon | Denville, NJ | 06/23/2025 | $350,000 |
| VCA Animal Hospitals | Surgeon | Buffalo, NY | 06/20/2025 | $150,000 |
| VCA Animal Hospitals | Surgeon | Santa Rosa, CA | 06/20/2025 | $150,000 |
| Healthpartners | Breast Surgeon | Regions Hospital; ST. | Saint Paul, MN | 06/13/2025 | $408,428 |
| Lehigh Valley Health Network | Oculoplastic Surgeon | Bethlehem, PA | 06/10/2025 | $30,000 |
| ETS Vision | Cornea Surgeon-Ophthalmologist-Great Cataract and Lasik Volume | Seattle, WA | 06/10/2025 | $300,000 |
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