Orthopedic Surgeon Salary Calculator

Below is a complete guide to understanding how orthopedic surgeon salaries are calculated, what drives pay differences, and how you can use the calculator to model your specific scenario.

1. What Are the Salary Ranges for an Orthopedic Surgeon?
2. What Is the Entry Level Salary for a Orthopedic Surgeon?
3. How Much Does an Orthopedic Surgeon Earn at Entry Level vs Senior Level?
4. Where Are the Best Job Markets for Orthopedic Surgeons?
5. Which Employers Hire Orthopedic Surgeons and What Do They Pay?
6. What Does an Orthopedic Surgeon Do That Affects Salary?
7. What Factors Push Orthopedic Surgeon Salaries Higher?
8. What Factors Reduce Orthopedic Surgeon Salary Estimates?
9. What Benefits Do Orthopedic Surgeons Typically Receive?
10. What Skills Influence Orthopedic Surgeon Salary?
11. How Does Orthopedic Surgeon Salary Vary by Different States and Cities?

The salary calculator uses a national median hourly rate of $144.50 as the baseline for orthopedic surgeon pay. Under a standard full-time assumption of 40 hours per week, this translates to approximately $5,780 per week, $25,072 per month, and $300,560 per year at the midpoint. However, the calculator generates low and high ranges rather than a single figure, because actual compensation varies substantially.

On the low end, orthopedic surgeons early in their careers or practicing in smaller markets may see hourly rates in the range of $110–$130, producing annual estimates between roughly $228,800 and $270,400 for full-time work. On the high end, experienced surgeons with subspecialty fellowship training working in large metropolitan areas can command hourly equivalents of $175–$220 or more, translating to annual estimates of $364,000 to $457,600+ before taxes.

These ranges shift based on inputs you select in the calculator. Setting your hours per week to 50 instead of 40, for instance, increases weekly, monthly, and annual estimates proportionally. Selecting a large metro market applies an upward salary adjustment factor, while choosing a small market applies a downward one. Years of experience and education level (residency only versus additional fellowship) further refine the output.

Entry level for an orthopedic surgeon means completing residency and beginning independent practice, typically with limited years of experience and without subspecialty fellowship training. The salary calculator models this by setting experience to the lowest tier and education to the residency-completed level, which applies a downward adjustment from the $144.50 median hourly baseline.

In practice, a newly minted orthopedic surgeon entering a hospital-employed position can expect the calculator to produce hourly estimates in the $110–$135 range, yielding annual gross pay of approximately $228,800 to $280,800 under a 40-hour-per-week full-time assumption. These figures are already well above most physician specialties because orthopedic surgery commands premium compensation even at the entry point due to the length and intensity of training required.

The specific entry-level estimate the calculator generates also depends on job market size and state. An entry-level orthopedic surgeon starting in a mid-sized market in Indiana, for instance, will see a different range than one joining a large academic medical center in California. Selecting your actual state in the calculator also applies state income tax to the after-tax estimate, which is critical for comparing net take-home pay across offers.

Entry-level orthopedic surgeons who are classified as W-2 employees should note that employer-paid benefits (health insurance, malpractice coverage, retirement contributions) are not reflected in the gross salary figure but represent significant additional value. Those entering 1099 locum tenens arrangements may see higher gross hourly rates but must account for self-employment tax and self-funded benefits.

The gap between entry-level and senior-level orthopedic surgeon compensation is substantial, and the salary calculator models this through its years-of-experience and education-level adjustments. An entry-level surgeon with residency training only and fewer than two years of independent practice will sit at the lower end of the range, while a senior surgeon with 15+ years of experience, fellowship subspecialization, and established referral networks will sit at or above the high end.

Senior orthopedic surgeons who have completed fellowship training in high-demand subspecialties such as spine surgery, sports medicine, or joint replacement typically command the upper end of these ranges. The calculator captures this by allowing you to set a higher education or credential tier. Additionally, senior surgeons in large metro areas benefit from the calculator's market-size adjustment factor, compounding the experience premium.

One important consideration: many senior orthopedic surgeons derive significant income from productivity-based compensation models (wRVU bonuses) or partnership distributions in private practice groups, which can push total compensation well beyond the calculator's base salary estimate. The calculator is designed to model base salary mechanics, so surgeons evaluating partnership-track offers should treat these estimates as the guaranteed floor.

The strongest job markets for orthopedic surgeons combine high patient volume, multiple large health systems competing for talent, and population demographics that drive orthopedic demand (aging populations, active lifestyles, sports markets). Large metro areas generally produce the highest gross salary ranges through the calculator's market-size adjustment, though mid-sized markets sometimes offer competitive pay with lower cost of living.

Texas cities like Houston and Dallas stand out because the state has no personal income tax, meaning the calculator's after-tax estimates are notably higher there compared to equally paying positions in California or New York. Seattle benefits similarly from Washington state's lack of income tax. Boston and New York City produce the highest gross ranges due to concentration of academic medical centers and affluent patient populations, but after-tax estimates are reduced by state and local taxes.

Orthopedic surgeons are employed across academic medical centers, large health systems, physician-owned private practice groups, ambulatory surgery center chains, and locum tenens staffing agencies, each offering different compensation structures.

Locum tenens agencies like CompHealth and Envision Physician Services often post the highest gross hourly rates, but these are typically 1099 arrangements. The salary calculator's W-2 vs 1099 toggle is critical here: selecting 1099 adds self-employment tax to the after-tax calculation, which reduces net take-home pay relative to a W-2 position with the same gross rate. Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and Kaiser Permanente in California represent the premium end of employed positions, reflecting high-cost-of-living market adjustments that the calculator models through state selection and market size.

Orthopedic surgeons diagnose, treat, and perform surgical procedures on the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The specific procedures a surgeon performs and the clinical setting in which they practice directly affect where their salary falls within the calculator's estimated range.

Surgeons who perform high-volume joint replacement procedures (total knee and total hip arthroplasty) generate substantial revenue per case and are compensated accordingly, especially in health systems that use productivity-based (wRVU) pay models. Spine surgeons who perform complex fusion procedures and deformity corrections command some of the highest pay in the specialty because these cases are technically demanding and carry high reimbursement rates. Sports medicine orthopedic surgeons treating professional athletes or operating within collegiate athletic programs may receive premium compensation tied to their reputation and referral volume.

On the other end of the spectrum, orthopedic surgeons who spend a larger proportion of their time in clinic performing non-operative management, casting, and injections rather than surgery tend to generate lower productivity metrics. Trauma orthopedic surgeons employed by Level I trauma centers often work unpredictable schedules with significant call burden, and while base salaries may be competitive, the hourly equivalent can be lower when total hours worked are factored in. The salary calculator lets you adjust hours per week to model this, so a surgeon working 55 hours per week will see lower per-hour effective rates even if the annual figure appears strong.

Academic orthopedic surgeons who split time between clinical practice, teaching, and research typically earn less than purely clinical counterparts because protected research time does not generate clinical revenue. The calculator's education level input can partially capture the credential premium of an academic appointment, but surgeons in these roles should understand that the base salary estimate may overstate their clinical earnings if their clinical FTE is below 1.0.

Several concrete factors cause the salary calculator to produce estimates at the upper end of the range for orthopedic surgeons.

Subspecialty Fellowship Training: Completing an ACGME-accredited fellowship in spine surgery, sports medicine, hand surgery, trauma, or adult reconstruction adds a credential premium. The calculator's education level input captures this, shifting estimates upward because fellowship-trained surgeons command higher market rates due to specialized skill scarcity.

Years of Experience: Surgeons with 10+ years of post-residency experience have established referral networks, refined surgical technique, and often higher case volumes. The experience slider in the calculator produces a meaningful salary increase between the 5-year and 15-year marks.

Large Metro Market: Practicing in a large metro area like Los Angeles, Chicago, or Houston triggers the calculator's upward market-size adjustment. These markets have higher patient volumes, more employer competition, and higher cost of living that collectively push compensation higher.

Private Practice Ownership or Partnership: While the calculator models employed-position salary mechanics, it is worth noting that surgeons who reach partner status in private orthopedic groups often earn above the calculator's high estimate through profit distribution. Using the calculator's high-end output as a floor is reasonable for partnership-level positions.

High Surgical Volume: Systems that pay on a base-plus-productivity model reward surgeons who operate frequently. This is functionally reflected in the calculator by selecting the higher experience and credential tiers, which proxy for surgeons who have built high-volume practices.

No State Income Tax: Practicing in Texas, Florida, Washington, or other states without personal income tax does not change the gross salary estimate but substantially increases the after-tax output. The calculator applies state-specific tax when you select your state.

Certain variables cause the salary calculator to produce lower-end estimates that orthopedic surgeons should understand when evaluating their compensation.

Limited Post-Residency Experience: Surgeons in their first three years of independent practice are at the bottom of the experience scale. The calculator applies the smallest experience multiplier at this stage, reflecting the reality that employers offer lower guaranteed salaries to unproven surgeons before they build case volume.

Small or Rural Market: Selecting a small market size applies a downward adjustment factor. While some rural positions advertise competitive salaries to attract surgeons, the calculator's median-based model reflects the broader trend that small-market positions generally pay less in base terms, even if signing bonuses and loan repayment are generous.

Part-Time or Reduced Hours: Orthopedic surgeons who choose part-time schedules (common for those winding down toward retirement or balancing academic roles) will see proportionally reduced weekly, monthly, and annual estimates. Setting 24 hours per week instead of 40 reduces annual output by 40%.

Academic or Research-Focused Roles: Positions with significant non-clinical time reduce effective productivity. The salary calculator does not directly account for FTE splits, but setting fewer hours per week is a reasonable proxy.

High State Income Tax: States like California, New York, and New Jersey impose substantial state income taxes. The after-tax output in the calculator reflects this, showing meaningfully lower take-home pay compared to the same gross salary in a no-income-tax state.

1099 Classification Without Adjustment: Surgeons working locum tenens on 1099 contracts face additional self-employment tax (the employer share of FICA). The calculator's W-2 vs 1099 toggle accounts for this, so selecting 1099 reduces after-tax estimates even when gross pay is higher.

Benefits packages for orthopedic surgeons vary significantly based on employment classification, and the salary calculator's W-2 vs 1099 toggle helps model this difference in after-tax terms.

W-2 employed orthopedic surgeons at health systems and hospital-owned practices typically receive employer-sponsored health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer-paid professional liability (malpractice) coverage, employer contributions to 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plans (often 3–6% match), CME allowances ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 annually, paid time off (typically 4–6 weeks), relocation assistance, and signing bonuses that can range from $25,000 to $100,000+ depending on market need. Many systems also cover state medical license fees, DEA registration, and board certification maintenance costs. The calculator's 401(k) contribution input lets you model the pre-tax retirement savings deduction, which reduces your taxable income and adjusts the after-tax estimate accordingly.

1099 independent contractors and locum tenens orthopedic surgeons generally receive none of these benefits. They are responsible for their own malpractice tail coverage, health insurance premiums, retirement savings (via SEP-IRA or solo 401(k)), and all licensure costs. The higher gross hourly rates offered to 1099 surgeons partially offset these self-funded obligations, but the calculator's after-tax estimate for 1099 classification reflects the heavier tax burden, giving you a more honest comparison against W-2 positions. Partnership-track positions in private groups often blend these models, starting with W-2 employment and transitioning to profit-sharing distributions that carry different tax treatment.

The skills an orthopedic surgeon brings to practice directly influence where their compensation falls within the salary calculator's estimated range, primarily because skills determine case mix, surgical volume, and employer willingness to pay a premium.

Technical Surgical Proficiency: Mastery of minimally invasive techniques, robotic-assisted surgery (Mako, ROSA), and complex revision procedures allows a surgeon to take on higher-acuity cases with higher reimbursement. Employers hiring for these capabilities offer pay at the upper end of the range, which the calculator reflects through higher experience and credential settings.

Subspecialty Expertise: Fellowship-level skill in spine surgery, pediatric orthopedics, shoulder and elbow reconstruction, or foot and ankle surgery creates scarcity value. There are fewer qualified surgeons for these niches, and the salary calculator's education/credential tier captures the resulting pay premium.

Practice Building and Referral Network Development: Surgeons skilled at building relationships with primary care physicians, sports medicine physicians, and physical therapists generate higher patient volumes, which translates to higher productivity-based pay in employed models and higher partnership distributions in private practice.

Efficiency in the Operating Room: Surgeons who maintain high case turnover without compromising outcomes can perform more procedures per block of OR time, directly increasing revenue generation and justifying higher compensation.

Research Publication and Thought Leadership: While academic productivity does not directly increase clinical salary, surgeons who are published researchers and KOLs (key opinion leaders) attract patients and negotiate stronger contracts, especially at academic medical centers and in markets like Boston and New York City where reputation drives referral patterns.

Business and Contract Negotiation Acumen: Understanding wRVU targets, call stipends, partnership buy-in structures, and payer mix allows a surgeon to negotiate effectively. This skill does not appear in the calculator's inputs but determines whether a surgeon lands at the low or high end of the calculator's output for their experience level.

What is the orthopedic surgeon salary outlook in New York?

New York is one of the highest-paying states for orthopedic surgeons in gross terms due to the concentration of prestigious health systems (Hospital for Special Surgery, NYU Langone, Mount Sinai) and a large, affluent patient population. The salary calculator's large metro adjustment applies in the New York City metro area, pushing hourly estimates toward the top of the range. However, New York imposes some of the highest state income taxes in the country, and New York City adds a municipal income tax. The after-tax calculator output for New York will be noticeably lower than the gross figure suggests, making it essential to compare net take-home pay against offers from lower-tax states.

What do orthopedic surgeons earn in California?

California offers premium gross compensation driven by Kaiser Permanente, Cedars-Sinai, Stanford Health Care, and UC Health system positions. The cost of living in major California metros (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego) is among the highest nationally, which the salary calculator partially reflects through the large-metro adjustment factor. California's state income tax is the highest in the nation for high earners, and the calculator's after-tax module will produce a significant gap between gross and net pay. Surgeons comparing California offers against Texas or Florida positions should run both scenarios through the calculator.

How does Florida affect orthopedic surgeon salary?

Florida's combination of no state income tax, a large and aging population requiring joint replacements and fracture care, and growing health system investment makes it an increasingly competitive market. The salary calculator shows strong after-tax results for Florida because the state tax field is zero. Markets like Miami, Tampa, and Jacksonville offer large-metro adjustments, while smaller Florida cities still benefit from high orthopedic demand driven by retiree demographics.

What can orthopedic surgeons expect to earn in Texas?

Texas has no state income tax and multiple large metro markets (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin) with major health systems including Houston Methodist, UT Southwestern, Baylor Scott & White, and Texas Orthopedics. The calculator produces some of the strongest after-tax estimates nationally for Texas positions. High population growth and a strong sports culture (NFL, NBA, NCAA programs) also drive demand for sports medicine orthopedic surgeons in the state.

What is the orthopedic surgeon salary situation in Michigan?

Michigan's orthopedic surgeon market is anchored by health systems like Beaumont Health, Spectrum Health (now Corewell Health), and the University of Michigan Health. Detroit is the primary large metro, while Grand Rapids functions as a mid-sized market. Michigan has a moderate state income tax, and the calculator will produce mid-range after-tax estimates. The cost of living is significantly lower than coastal states, meaning take-home purchasing power may exceed what the raw numbers suggest compared to New York or California.

How much do orthopedic surgeons make in Georgia?

Georgia's market centers on the Atlanta metro area, where Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Healthcare, and Northside Hospital create strong employer competition. The calculator applies a large-metro adjustment for Atlanta, producing competitive hourly ranges. Georgia's state income tax is moderate, and the cost of living in Atlanta is below that of comparably sized metros like Boston or Washington, DC. Outside Atlanta, mid-sized and small markets in Georgia offer lower gross pay but also lower living costs.

What do orthopedic surgeons earn in Ohio?

Ohio hosts the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and several other major systems that employ orthopedic surgeons. Cleveland and Columbus function as large and mid-sized markets respectively. Ohio's state income tax is moderate, and the calculator produces mid-range estimates. The Cleveland Clinic's reputation as a destination for complex orthopedic care means that surgeons there may see referral volumes that support higher productivity-based bonuses beyond the calculator's base estimate.

How does North Carolina compare for orthopedic surgeon pay?

North Carolina has seen rapid population growth, particularly in the Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham metros, driving demand for orthopedic services. Duke Health, Atrium Health, and Novant Health are major employers. The state income tax is relatively low compared to northeastern states, and the calculator produces favorable after-tax estimates. Charlotte and Raleigh function as mid-sized to large markets in the calculator, offering a solid balance of competitive gross pay and reasonable cost of living.

What is the orthopedic surgeon salary in Illinois?

Illinois is dominated by the Chicago metro market, where Rush University Medical Center, Northwestern Medicine, and Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush employ orthopedic surgeons. The calculator applies a large-metro adjustment for Chicago. Illinois has a flat state income tax that is moderate by national standards, though the high cost of living in downtown Chicago areas reduces purchasing power. Surgeons in downstate Illinois markets will see the calculator produce lower estimates due to the small or mid-sized market adjustment.

How much do orthopedic surgeons earn in Maryland?

Maryland's proximity to Washington, DC and its concentration of health systems (Johns Hopkins, MedStar Health, University of Maryland Medical System) create a strong market for orthopedic surgeons. The calculator treats the Baltimore-Washington corridor as a large metro. Maryland has relatively high state income taxes, and some counties impose additional local income taxes. The after-tax calculator output for Maryland will be lower than gross figures suggest, particularly for surgeons living in high-tax counties like Montgomery or Prince George's.

What do orthopedic surgeons make in Indiana?

Indiana is home to OrthoIndy, one of the largest private orthopedic groups in the country, as well as Indiana University Health and Ascension St. Vincent. Indianapolis functions as a mid-sized market in the calculator. Indiana has a flat state income tax that is among the lowest in the Midwest, producing favorable after-tax estimates. The cost of living is well below national average, making Indiana a strong value market for orthopedic surgeons who prioritize net purchasing power over headline salary.

How does Virginia compare for orthopedic surgeon salary?

Virginia offers diverse markets from the Northern Virginia/DC suburbs (large metro adjustment) to mid-sized markets like Richmond and small markets in the Shenandoah Valley. Inova Health System, VCU Health, and Sentara Healthcare are significant employers. Northern Virginia positions benefit from the DC-area demand premium and affluent patient demographics, though Virginia's state income tax is moderate and the calculator's after-tax estimates will reflect this.

What is the orthopedic surgeon salary picture in Connecticut?

Connecticut has high per-capita income and proximity to New York City, which inflates orthopedic surgeon compensation. Yale New Haven Health and Hartford HealthCare are the primary large employers. The calculator treats the Hartford and New Haven areas as mid-sized markets but applies the state's high income tax. Surgeons in Connecticut may see gross pay that is competitive with New York but with slightly better cost of living in certain areas. After-tax estimates require careful comparison since Connecticut's tax burden is among the highest nationally.

What can orthopedic surgeons expect in New Jersey?

New Jersey's orthopedic surgeon market benefits from the state's position between the New York City and Philadelphia metro areas. Hackensack Meridian Health, RWJBarnabas Health, and Atlantic Health System are large employers. The calculator applies a large-metro adjustment for the northern New Jersey corridor. New Jersey imposes high state income taxes and property taxes, and the calculator's after-tax output will reflect this. Surgeons considering New Jersey offers should compare net take-home against opportunities in lower-tax states like Pennsylvania or Texas.

What do orthopedic surgeons earn in Chicago?

Chicago's large metro market supports the calculator's highest market-size adjustment factor. Major employers include Rush, Northwestern, and Loyola Medicine. The competitive employer landscape pushes hourly estimates to the $145–$215 range. Illinois state income tax is moderate, and the calculator produces reasonable after-tax estimates compared to coastal cities with similar gross pay.

How much do orthopedic surgeons make in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is one of the nation's largest healthcare markets, with Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health, and Keck Medicine of USC as top employers for orthopedic surgeons. Gross hourly rates in the $150–$225 range reflect the large-metro premium. However, California's steep state income tax significantly reduces after-tax pay in the calculator, and the extreme cost of housing in LA means purchasing power is lower than gross figures imply.

What is the orthopedic surgeon salary in New York City (NYC)?

NYC commands some of the highest gross orthopedic surgeon salaries nationally, driven by Hospital for Special Surgery, NYU Langone Orthopedics, and Columbia Orthopedics. The calculator produces hourly estimates from $155 to $230+. After-tax results are reduced by combined New York State and NYC income taxes, which are among the heaviest in the country. Surgeons should run the calculator with the New York state selection and compare net pay against tax-free states.

What do orthopedic surgeons earn in Houston?

Houston's massive medical center complex, including Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann, and UT Physicians, creates abundant demand and employer competition. The calculator applies a large-metro adjustment and, critically, Texas has no state income tax. After-tax estimates for Houston are among the highest nationally, making it one of the most financially attractive markets for orthopedic surgeons when net take-home pay is the metric.

How does Phoenix compare for orthopedic surgeon pay?

Phoenix is a rapidly growing large metro with Banner Health, HonorHealth, and Mayo Clinic Arizona as key employers. The calculator applies a large-metro adjustment, producing hourly estimates in the $138–$205 range. Arizona's state income tax has been reduced in recent years, and the calculator produces favorable after-tax results. The growing retiree population ensures sustained demand for joint replacement and fracture care.

What do orthopedic surgeons make in Atlanta?

Atlanta's large metro status and competitive employer landscape (Emory, Piedmont, Northside) produce calculator estimates of $140–$210 hourly. Georgia's moderate state income tax and below-average cost of living compared to similarly sized metros make Atlanta an attractive market. The presence of major professional sports teams also supports sports medicine orthopedic surgeon demand.

What is the orthopedic surgeon salary in San Diego?

San Diego offers a large-metro adjustment with employers like Scripps Health, Sharp HealthCare, and UC San Diego Health. The calculator produces hourly estimates of $148–$222. Like the rest of California, San Diego's after-tax estimates are reduced by high state income taxes. However, San Diego's lifestyle appeal helps employers attract talent even at slightly lower net pay compared to Texas or Florida.

How much do orthopedic surgeons earn in Washington, DC?

Washington, DC and its surrounding suburbs (including Northern Virginia and Maryland) form a large metro market with MedStar Health, George Washington University Hospital, and Inova as major employers. The calculator produces hourly estimates of $152–$228. DC itself imposes local income tax, and Maryland and Virginia each have their own state taxes. After-tax results vary depending on which jurisdiction you live in, making it important to select the correct state in the calculator rather than assuming DC-area salaries are interchangeable across state lines.

What do orthopedic surgeons earn in Boston?

Boston is an elite academic orthopedic surgery market, home to Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess, and New England Baptist Hospital. The calculator applies a large-metro adjustment, producing hourly estimates of $155–$230. Massachusetts has a flat state income tax that is moderate, and the cost of living (particularly housing) is high. Surgeons in academic roles may earn toward the lower end of the range if significant time is devoted to research. Clinical surgeons in private groups affiliated with these institutions can expect the upper range.

What is the orthopedic surgeon salary in Dallas?

Dallas combines a large metro market, no Texas state income tax, and a deep employer base including UT Southwestern, Baylor Scott & White, and Texas Health Resources. The calculator produces hourly estimates of $145–$218 with strong after-tax results. Dallas also has a lower cost of living than most comparably sized metros, making it a top market for orthopedic surgeon net purchasing power.

How much do orthopedic surgeons make in Seattle?

Seattle's large metro market and Washington state's lack of income tax combine to produce strong after-tax calculator estimates. Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, UW Medicine, and Swedish Medical Center are notable employers. Hourly estimates range from $150 to $225. The cost of living in Seattle has risen sharply, particularly housing, but the zero state income tax environment makes it one of the better net-pay markets for high-earning orthopedic surgeons.