How Much Does an Orthopedic Surgeon Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$358,550
Orthopedic surgeons in the U.S. earn a median of $358,550 a year, or $172.38 an hour. Half of orthopedic surgeons earn more than $358,550 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $659,290.
Pay percentiles for orthopedic surgeons
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40.46 | $84,170 |
| 25th | $86.83 | $180,610 |
| 50th (median) | $172.38 | $358,550 |
| 75th | $255.15 | $530,700 |
| 90th | $316.97 | $659,290 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric (SOC 29-1242). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for orthopedic surgeons
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| North Dakota | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| Oregon | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| South Carolina | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| South Dakota | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| Utah | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| Vermont | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | — |
| Missouri | $842,800 | $405.19 | +135% |
| West Virginia | $597,740 | $287.38 | +67% |
| Wisconsin | $572,060 | $275.03 | +60% |
| United States | $358,550 | $172.38 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. "+" marks wages above the highest figure BLS publishes ($239,200 a year / $115.00 an hour). Those states are listed first, alphabetically. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many orthopedic surgeons are there?
BLS counts about 14,100 orthopedic surgeons employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in New York (1,450), Florida (580) and North Carolina (560).
The mean (average) annual wage is $373,570, higher than the median of $358,550.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $29,879
- Biweekly
- $13,790
- Weekly
- $6,895
- Daily (8 hours)
- $1,379
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do orthopedic surgeons make an hour?
The median hourly wage for orthopedic surgeons is $172.38. The middle 50% earn between $86.83 and $255.15 an hour.
Which state pays orthopedic surgeons the most?
Alaska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and Vermont report a median wage of more than $239,200 for orthopedic surgeons, the highest level BLS publishes, so an exact ranking among them is not available.
What is the starting salary for orthopedic surgeons?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of orthopedic surgeons earn less than $84,170 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.