Surgical Specialty Physicians salary guide

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Published BLS wages for this family. BLS OEWS May 2025.

General Surgeon SOC 29-1249, Surgeons, All Other. broader match.
Trauma / Acute Care Surgeon SOC 29-1249, Surgeons, All Other. broader match.
Bariatric Surgeon SOC 29-1249, Surgeons, All Other. broader match.
Colorectal Surgeon SOC 29-1249, Surgeons, All Other. broader match.
Surgical Oncologist SOC 29-1249, Surgeons, All Other. broader match.
Orthopedic Surgeon SOC 29-1242, Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric. broader match.
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon SOC 29-1242, Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric. broader match.
Orthopedic Sports Medicine Surgeon SOC 29-1242, Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric. broader match.
Foot & Ankle Surgeon (Orthopedic or DPM) Ask us for a current range.
Neurosurgeon SOC 29-1249, Surgeons, All Other. broader match.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon SOC 29-1249, Surgeons, All Other. broader match.
Vascular Surgeon SOC 29-1249, Surgeons, All Other. broader match.
Urologist SOC 29-1249, Surgeons, All Other. broader match.
Otolaryngologist (ENT) SOC 29-1249, Surgeons, All Other. broader match.
Ophthalmologist SOC 29-1241, Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric. broader match.
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon SOC 29-1249, Surgeons, All Other. broader match.
Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB/GYN) SOC 29-1218, Obstetricians and Gynecologists. broader match.
OB Hospitalist (Laborist) SOC 29-1218, Obstetricians and Gynecologists. broader match.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist SOC 29-1218, Obstetricians and Gynecologists. broader match.
Gynecologic Oncologist SOC 29-1218, Obstetricians and Gynecologists. broader match.
Reproductive Endocrinologist (REI) SOC 29-1218, Obstetricians and Gynecologists. broader match.
Pediatric Surgeon SOC 29-1243, Pediatric Surgeons. direct match.
Surgery Department Chair SOC 11-9111, Medical and Health Services Managers. broader match.

Which physicians are included in this surgical specialty family?

This family includes physicians who perform surgery or lead surgical services. It covers general surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, ENT, urology, ophthalmology, OB/GYN, pediatric surgery, and surgery department leadership. Some roles map to broad SOC groups, so daily work can differ by practice setting and patient mix.

We use the title as a starting point, then check the real work. A trauma surgeon may take urgent cases. A reconstructive surgeon may split time between clinic, planned procedures, and operative days.

What does a typical workday look like?

A workday often begins with rounds, chart review, and case planning. After that come clinic visits, procedures, scheduled surgery, or consults. Some physicians also cover call, review transfers, and follow up on post-op patients the same day.

You decide how much inpatient work belongs in the role. We ask about block time, call rotation, weekend coverage, and who handles consults. Those details matter more than the title alone.

Who makes the clinical calls, and who makes the staffing calls?

The physician makes clinical judgment, chooses the operative approach, and decides when a patient is ready for surgery. Leadership sets the practice model, schedule, call expectations, staffing support, and referral flow. If the role includes chair duties, we separate clinical authority from administrative authority.

That split changes the opening. A department chair may review quality issues and surgeon coverage. A staff surgeon may focus on cases, consults, and post-op care. We ask where the final decision sits before we describe the job.

What changes compensation for these surgical physicians?

Pay often shifts with call burden, subspecialty focus, procedure mix, and whether the role is employed or independent. Clinic time, inpatient rounding, trauma coverage, and leadership work can also change the package. Academic posts may include different duties than a standard private practice role.

For salary pages, we compare the role against the actual workday. An orthopedic spine surgeon, an OB hospitalist, and a pediatric surgeon can have very different schedules. That is why we ask about coverage windows, operative volume, and administrative duties.

What should a hiring manager prepare before opening the search?

Have the schedule, call structure, and practice setting ready. We also need the patient mix, referral sources, support team, and who signs off on privileges or partnership. If the role sits in a health system, we ask where local leaders can approve changes and where they cannot.

A clear picture keeps the search aligned with real work. If your team wants clinic growth, call relief, or a new service line, say so early. That helps us present the opening accurately to surgeons, OB/GYN physicians, and surgical leaders.

How do locum tenens, travel, or contract options fit here?

We arrange locum tenens, travel and contract coverage on request. Credentialing, licensing and malpractice coverage are confirmed per engagement before anyone starts. That matters when a service line needs bridge coverage during leave, recruitment, or schedule gaps.

For surgical specialties, temporary coverage must match the real call pattern and case types. We ask who covers clinic, who covers the OR, and what support is on site. That keeps the assignment aligned with the actual day.

What else should you ask about this edition?

How do you decide whether a role belongs in this surgical specialty family?

We look at the real work, not only the title. If the physician spends the day in the OR, clinic, rounds, or surgical call, the role usually belongs here. When titles overlap, we ask which patients they see and which procedures they perform.

What details matter most when we write a surgical physician opening for buyers?

Call schedule, operative mix, inpatient coverage, and clinic time matter most. We also ask who handles consults, who covers post-op care, and whether the physician leads a service line or only sees patients. Those facts shape the search and the comp review.

How should we think about a Surgery Department Chair role versus a working surgeon role?

A chair usually has both clinical and administrative duties. We ask about budget input, staffing issues, quality review, and meeting time, along with any operating room work. A clinical surgeon role does not carry the same leadership load.

What if our opening is for temporary coverage while we recruit a permanent surgeon?

We can discuss locum, travel, or contract coverage while the permanent search continues. We verify the case mix, call coverage, and privileges needed before the assignment starts. That helps match the temporary physician to the actual schedule and setting.