Surgeon salary in the USA is one of the highest in healthcare and shows their long study years, training, and major responsibilities. Additionally, the surgeon salaries are based on speciality, location, and various other factors. As per a report by Medscape, the average salary of the general surgeons in 2022 was $402,000. In 2025, the average annual salary of surgeons in the USA ranges between $359,000 and $456,000.
In this article, we will discuss the surgeon’s salary in the USA based on experience, location, and more.
What is a surgeon salary in the USA per hour?
The annual average salary of a surgeon in the USA is $143.17 per hour, as per a report published by the BLS. The hourly pay varies based on specialisation, experience, hospital type, and location. surgeon salary A surgeon working in a metropolitan location or a private hospital in the USA gets higher salaries than those working in rural areas. The salary increases with more emergency duties, overtime shifts, and on-call hours.
Surgeon Salary in the USA, state-wise
When surgeons work in dense urban areas or high-demand patient locations, they get higher pay. Here are some of the top-paying states for surgeons in the USA:
| State | Average Salary |
| California | $453,308 |
| Columbia | $455,034 |
| Alaska | $444,883 |
| Connecticut | $439,211 |
| Hawaii | $429,553 |
| Illinois | $418,909 |
| Colorado | $419,320 |
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Surgeon salary in the USA based on specialities
As per a report in Medscape, general surgeons receive an average salary of $402,000 per year. Here are the average salaries of other specialities:
| Specialization | Average Annual Salary |
| General Surgeon | $411,000 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $486,450 |
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | $465,200 |
| Pediatric Surgeon | $460,783 |
| Burn Surgeon | $444,800 |
| Trauma Surgeon | $444,743 |
| Vascular Surgeon | $412,663 |
| Oral Surgeon | $316,423 |
| Neurosurgeon | $620,507 |
Surgeon salary in the USA based on Hospital Type
The different types of hospitals in the USA offer different salaries to the surgeons, such as Public hospitals, private hospitals, and academic hospitals. In public hospitals, surgeons work in predictable schedules, while in private hospitals, they offer more earning opportunities. Academic hospitals in the USA provide research involvement and high respect. Additionally, Private hospitals offer more growth options, while public hospitals provide better job security. Here are the average annual salaries of surgeon salary in US in different hospital types:
| Hospital Type | Average Salary (USD) |
| Public Hospital | $330,000 – $390,000 |
| Private Hospital | $420,000 – $510,000 |
| Academic Hospital | $310,000 – $370,000 |
Incentives and Bonuses
Surgeons in the USA get the signing bonuses and relocation assistance, which add on to their annual earnings. In private hospitals and rural locations, these bonuses are becoming standard compensation.
Based on AMN Healthcare’s recruitment data, the average signing bonus offered to the physician was $31,473 in 2024. Some of the incentive types and amounts are mentioned below:
| Incentive Type | Typical Range |
| Signing Bonus | $25,000 – $325,000 |
| Relocation Support | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Performance Bonuses | $20,000 – $100,000+ |
Resident surgeon salary in the USA
Surgeons start to earn at the residency level. The salary structure is based on postgraduate year level, ranging from level 1 to 7. Once the residency is complete, surgeons can pursue a fellowship or start their full-time job roles with higher salaries. The average salaries of surgeons in the USA, as per residency year, are:
| PGY Level | Average Annual Salary | Duration |
| PGY1 | $61,000 | Year 1 |
| PGY2 | $63,500 | Year 2 |
| PGY3 | $66,000 | Year 3 |
| PGY4 | $68,500 | Year 4 |
| PGY5+ | $70,000–$76,000 | Year 5+ |
Surgeon salary in the USA after Residency
If a surgeon chooses to start their practice, they can earn a lot. In the early years, surgeons usually earn between $350,000 and $410,000 per year. The entry-level salary includes the basic pay, pre-procedure incentives, and annual bonuses. General surgeons usually earn less than specialists such as neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons.
Along with fixed compensation, the surgeons get productivity-based incentives as per the number of procedures performed and patients’ results. Surgeons in private practice or high-demand regions observe faster income growth. Fellowship-trained surgeons get higher starting pay. The other factors playing a major role in surgeon salaries in the USA are location, case volume, and on-call responsibilities.
Mid-career and Senior Surgeon salary in the USA
After an experience of 5 years, surgeons get a good leap in salary based on leadership roles, patient volume, and surgical expertise. Here are the average annual salaries of surgeons in the USA based on their experience:
| Level | Average Salary |
| Intermediate Surgeon | $394,204 |
| Senior Level Surgeon | $398,016 |
| Specialist Surgeon | $403,353 |
| Expert Level Surgeon | $414,338 |
Senior surgeons work as surgical consultants, department leads, program directors, and chief of surgery. The salary structure of senior surgeons includes equity or profit sharing, which adds up to $50,000 to $200,000+ annually to their income.
Conclusion
Surgeon salary in the USA is a reflection of their struggle during education, intensive training, and responsibilities. Their salaries depend on specialization, state, hospital, and experience level. The surgeon income in the USA grows steadily with skills and expertise from residency to senior leadership roles. The base pay, bonuses, and incentives also add to the total compensation. A surgeon job in the USA is one of the most financially rewarding and respected careers.
FAQs
Q1)What is the average salary of a surgeon in the USA?
The average salary of surgeons in the USA ranges from $252,500 to $300,000 annually. The salary variation also depends on the experience level and hospital types. Surgeons earn high but different amounts at every career level.
Q2)In which country do surgeons get the highest salaries?
Surgeon salaries in the USA are generally the highest in the world. The average earring ranges from $400,000 to $800,000 for top specialists. Other high-paying countries include Switzerland, Australia, Canada, and Germany.
Q3)What is the average salary of surgeons in NYC?
In New York, the average salary of a surgeon is as high as $432,514 and as low as $108,399. The majority of general surgeons earn from $271,100 to $392,947 annually.
