Are you an aspiring orthopedic surgeon? An orthopedic surgeon is a surgeon who has been educated and trained in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries.
The musculoskeletal system is made up of bones, cartilage, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves.
Orthopedic surgeons treat various conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, including:
- Osteoporosis
- Arthritis
- Bone tumors
- Spine disorders such as scoliosis and ruptured disks
- Cerebral palsy
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fractures, sprains, and dislocations
- Club foot, bow legs, knock knees, and bunions
Orthopedic surgeon education and training requirements
For you to become an orthopedic surgeon, you must:
- Complete a four-year bachelor’s degree program that offers studies in biology, chemistry, and physics.
- Pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
- Enroll in an accredited medical school, complete a four-year program, and graduate either as a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.).
- Apply for and begin a five-year orthopedic surgery residency program. Upon completion of your residency, you may choose to apply for a fellowship in an orthopedic subspecialty.
- Take a written examination for board certification given by the American Board of Osteopathic Surgery (ABOS). Passing the exam makes you board eligible.
- Pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) to legally practice.
- Practice as an orthopedic specialist for at least 20 consecutive months before taking the ABOS oral examination.
- Pass the ABOS oral examination to become board certified.
Remember, the certificate you receive is only valid for ten years. Therefore, aside from practicing orthopedic surgery, you will also need to attend continuing medical education programs. Doing so ensures your medical knowledge is up to date with current practices.
How much do orthopedic surgeons make?
When it comes to salaries, Orthopedic Surgeons are among the best-paid doctors across the world. An orthopedic surgeon salary ranges across all the physicians in the field.
The average salary for an orthopedic surgeon in the United States is $149,049 per year.
As with other professions, how much you will earn as an orthopedic surgeon will depend on various factors, including:
- Years of experience
- Education
- Location
- Industry
- Sub-specialty
Below is one salary projection:
- Entry-Level: $101,160 – $517,110
- Mid-Career: $118,493 – $564,760
- Experienced: $126,646 – $595,114
- Late-Career: $196,939 – $699,216
And here are a few average orthopedic surgeon salaries by state:
- New York – $437,349
- Maryland – $411,991
- California – $400,520
- Nevada – $400,000
- Minessotta – $383,878
- New Jersey – $382,713
- Kansas – $366,108
- Texas – $358,970
- Missouri – $346,901
- North Carolina – $312,611
And as mentioned before, an orthopedic surgeon’s salary is also determined by the area of expertise as seen below. In the United States,
The average orthopedic spine surgeon salary is:
- $238,459 annually
- $19,872 monthly
- $4,586 weekly
- $115 hourly
The average pediatric orthopedic surgeon salary is:
- $188,907 annually
- $15,742 monthly
- $3,633 weekly
- $91 hourly
The average sports medicine orthopedic surgeon salary is:
- $100,348 annually
- $8,362 monthly
- $1,930 weekly
- $48 weekly
The average orthopedic technician salary is:
- $42,721 annually
- $3,560 monthly
- $822 weekly
- $ 21 hourly
Many of the orthopedic surgeon salaries currently range between $387,500 to $400,000 in the United States. And according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of surgeons is projected to grow 13% from 2016 to 2026.
Factors that determine Orthopedic Surgeons Salaries.
Most employers pay salaries according to your education and experience.
In fact, these are the strongest negotiating points during job applications and interviews. Below is a list of some of the factors that determines how much an orthopedic surgeon gets paid.
- Years of experience – Surgeons with many years of experience are paid more. This is due to the added skills they get from handling many patients.
- Education – A degree earned from a top recognized institution usually has a positive influence on pay.
- Performance Reviews – Orthopedic Salaries are also determined by a surgeon’s performance. This is because it gives more picture about a person’s abilities.
- Professional associations and certifications –Being a member of a certain association or organization can have a positive effect on the pay. Certified surgeons tend to earn more than those without any certification.
- Region -Orthopedic surgeon Salaries is different based on geographic regions. There are states that pay more salary than others.
