Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.
- Median annual earnings
- $350,938
- Projected change
- +6.3%
- Typical education
- Doctoral degree or more
- Employment
- 17.54K jobs
50th percentile, United States
2025 to 2035
91.8% of the workforce
Growing to 18.64K by 2035
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Build the skills
ASU learning related to this career
These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.
The work
What orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric do
Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.
- Analyze patient's medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and examination results to verify operation's necessity and to determine best procedure.
- Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques that can improve operating procedures and outcomes related to musculoskeletal injuries and diseases.
- Diagnose bodily disorders and orthopedic conditions, and provide treatments, such as medicines and surgeries, in clinics, hospital wards, or operating rooms.
- Diagnose or treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
- Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, residents, and other medical staff.
- Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.
- Examine patient to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk.
- Follow established surgical techniques during the operation.
- Manage surgery services, including planning, scheduling and coordination, determination of procedures, or procurement of supplies and equipment.
- Operate on patient's musculoskeletal system to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases, or improve or restore patient's functions.
- Order and interpret the results of laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging procedures.
- Prepare case histories.
- Prescribe preoperative and postoperative treatments and procedures, such as sedatives, diets, antibiotics, or preparation and treatment of the patient's operative area.
- Provide consultation and surgical assistance to other physicians and surgeons.
- Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioners when necessary.
Pay and outlook
What the job pays and where it is heading
Annual earnings range
Reported earnings by percentile, United States
- 10th percentile
- $82,558
- 25th percentile
- $180,543
- 50th percentile
- $350,938
- 75th percentile
- $519,064
- 90th percentile
- $650,373
The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $350,938 and half earn less.
Employment outlook
2025 to 2035 projection
1,099 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.
Preparation
Education levels
What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.
- Doctoral degree or more
- 91.8%
- Master's or Professional degree
- 6.8%
- Bachelor's degree
- 1.4%
Skills
Skills employers ask for
Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.
How the work gets done
Core competencies
Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.
In the market
Job titles and employers
Recent job postings in United StatesCommon job titles
- 01Orthopedic Surgery Physicians6,470 postings
- 02Orthopedic Physicians2,381 postings
- 03Orthopedic Surgeons1,930 postings
- 04Locum Tenens Orthopedic Surgeons1,411 postings
- 05Locum Tenens Orthopedics Physicians684 postings
- 06Orthopedic Trauma Surgeons654 postings
- 07Orthopedic Hand Surgeons583 postings
- 08Total Joint Orthopedic Surgeons458 postings
- 09Orthopedic Spine Surgeons327 postings
- 10General Surgeons275 postings
- 11Foot and Ankle Surgeons263 postings
- 12Surgeons261 postings
- 13Surgery Physicians244 postings
- 14Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeons221 postings
- 15Hand Surgeons204 postings
- 16Locum Tenens Surgery Physicians173 postings
- 17General Orthopedic Surgeons172 postings
- 18Advanced Practice Providers161 postings
- 19Trauma Surgery Physicians160 postings
- 20Spine Surgeons133 postings
Top employers
- 01CompHealth2,039 postings
- 02Hayman Daugherty Associates1,192 postings
- 03Weatherby Healthcare989 postings
- 04Jackson Physician Search797 postings
- 05All Star HealthCare595 postings
- 06Britt Medical Search579 postings
- 07Concentra406 postings
- 08Enterprise Medical Recruiting387 postings
- 09AMN Healthcare326 postings
- 10Alpha Medical Partners308 postings
- 11Surgical Information Systems270 postings
- 12International Medical Placement, Ltd.246 postings
- 13Physician Empire242 postings
- 14The Curare Group236 postings
- 15Medicorp233 postings
- 16Integrity Locums218 postings
- 17LifePoint Health181 postings
- 18Summit Recruiting Services173 postings
- 19CHRISTUS Health166 postings
- 20Archway Physician Recruitment165 postings
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