Orthopedic Surgeon Jobs and Salary Breakdown by State
Each U.S. state has a different breakdown of orthopedic surgeon jobs and salaries. Some states have more hospitals and others have more clinics. Some states have a high cost of living and, thus, pay their surgeons more, while others pay considerably less. Regardless of your location, however, being an orthopedic surgeon is a highly rewarding and lucrative career.
So, what’s the best place to pursue an orthopedic surgeon career? In this blog post, we’ll break down orthopedic surgeon salaries by state.
What Does an Orthopedic Surgeon Do?
An orthopedic surgeon is a doctor who specializes in surgery of the bones, joints, and surrounding tissues. The job includes performing procedures that repair or replace damaged or deformed bones, repair torn ligaments and tendons, and correct deformities that affect movement.
Orthopedic surgeons treat a variety of concerns that include sports-related injuries, work-related injuries, and trauma from car accidents or falls. They also deal with chronic conditions affecting the bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and skin.
An orthopedic surgeon carefully considers each patient’s unique situation to determine the treatment plan that is best for them. The goal is to restore function, improve mobility, and alleviate pain.
Why Is There a Difference in the Average Salaries of Orthopedic Surgeons Per State?
Every state has a different cost of living index. This figure represents the average spending power that a person in a given area would have, compared to the national average.
Generally, the more expensive an area, the higher the cost of living index.
Many orthopedic surgeons choose to move to states with a higher cost of living because their salaries are also higher. The national average base salary for orthopedic surgeons is $385,902 per year, but this can go as low as $142,000 and as high as $598,000, depending on experience and location.
The states with the lowest average salaries for orthopedic surgeons are Iowa, Alabama, New Mexico, Florida, and Mississippi. Meanwhile, the highest paying states for orthopedic surgeons are Massachusetts, Alaska, Nevada, Washington, and New York.
Average Orthopedic Surgeon Salary By State
Here is a breakdown of orthopedic surgeon salaries per state.
| State | Avg. Orthopedic Surgeon Salary Per Year |
| Massachusetts | $442,773 |
| Alaska | $418,018 |
| Nevada | $414,715 |
| Washington | $407,956 |
| New York | $396,771 |
| Maryland | $395,958 |
| Nebraska | $388,376 |
| New Hampshire | $383,413 |
| Virginia | $383,282 |
| Colorado | $374,989 |
| South Carolina | $374,629 |
| Delaware | $370,452 |
| Missouri | $370,075 |
| California | $367,207 |
| Hawaii | $362,911 |
| Kentucky | $362,401 |
| Vermont | $361,074 |
| Oklahoma | $360,964 |
| Wyoming | $355,366 |
| Arkansas | $353,634 |
| Connecticut | $351,951 |
| Illinois | $351,725 |
| Michigan | $351,518 |
| Rhode Island | $347,643 |
| West Virginia | $344,858 |
| Idaho | $344,576 |
| North Dakota | $342,900 |
| Maine | $341,374 |
| New Jersey | $339,744 |
| Pennsylvania | $339,022 |
| Montana | $337,615 |
| Arizona | $334,142 |
| Texas | $333,309 |
| South Dakota | $332,887 |
| Minnesota | $332,518 |
| Indiana | $331,999 |
| Tennessee | $331,945 |
| Wisconsin | $329,924 |
| Ohio | $329,543 |
| Oregon | $327,607 |
| Utah | $325,698 |
| Kansas | $322,504 |
| Louisiana | $322,479 |
| Georgia | $322,340 |
| North Carolina | $319,241 |
| Iowa | $318,061 |
| Alabama | $314,802 |
| New Mexico | $313,405 |
| Florida | $303,808 |
| Mississippi | $302,104 |
Orthopedic Surgeon Jobs
If you’re interested in finding an orthopedic surgeon job, Strelcheck Healthcare Search is the best place to start. We have a robust roster of orthopedic surgeon job openings, searchable by location and specialty. Here are some of the openings we’ve posted:
Orthopedic Surgeon for an Independent Hospital in the Upper Peninsula
Michigan UP | Income Potential $500,000 to $600,000 | Relocation Assistance
- $50,000 sign-on bonus
- Very flexible schedule, typical hours at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 24 patients per day
Orthopedic Surgeon for a Growing Hospital
Wisconsin | Income Potential: Depends on Experience
- $100,000 sign-on bonus amortized over 5 years
- Will accept J1 and H1B visa
- Excellent benefits package
Orthopedic Surgeon With Total Joint Fellowship for a Private Practice
Northern Illinois | Income Potential: Above the MGMA* 90th percentile
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Opportunity for partnership in 2 years
- Opportunity for ownership in real estate and ASC
*Medical Group Management Association
Looking For a Job That Meets Your Qualifications? Tap Into Strelcheck Healthcare Search
At Strelcheck Healthcare Search, we help you find orthopedic surgeon jobs that fit your unique background and location. Our easy-to-use system lets you find the best orthopedic surgeon jobs for your skillset, and we also have a team of recruiters available to help you through the application process.
Not finding a job that matches what you are looking for? Sign up for ideal opportunity alerts to find new orthopedic surgeon jobs as they become available.
Check out our orthopedic surgeon job openings and find your dream career today!
