Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Also called: Doctor, Foot and Ankle Surgeon, General Orthopedic Surgeon, General Surgeon, Hand Surgeon, Medical Doctor (MD), Orthopaedic Surgeon, Orthopedic Hand Surgeon
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.
What orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric do
Typical tasks
- 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.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric salary
The median annual wage for orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric is $358,550 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $84,170 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $659,290. The mean annual wage is $373,570.
The mean hourly wage of $179.00 is 24.7× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $358,550 → in 3 years $394,800 → in 5 years $421,000 → in 10 years $494,300 (10-year range $425,100–$573,900). The model assumes pay growth of +3.3% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
The same job in Japan
| Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric United States | 整形外科医 Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Median / average pay | $358,550 | ¥15.12M ≈ $96,169 |
| Pay in 10 years (est.) | $494,300 | ¥19.78M |
| Outlook score | 69 | 68 |
| AI replacement risk | 15% Very low | 15% Very low |
| Workers | 14K | — |
Matched by occupation (SOC code). Yen converted at 157.25 JPY/USD for reference; Japanese figures are averages, U.S. figures are medians, and the surveys define occupations differently.
Skills, education and requirements for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Job Zone 5 — extensive preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★★★★ Hard to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.