How to become an Orthopedic Surgeon
Official title: Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Also called: General Surgeon, Hand Surgeon, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Orthopedic Surgeon, Physician, Surgeon
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.
How to become one
Physicians and surgeons typically need a bachelor's degree as well as a medical degree, which takes an additional 4 years to complete. Depending on their specialty, they also need 3 to 9 years in internship and residency programs. Subspecialization includes additional training in a fellowship of 1 to 3 years.
Typical education to start: Doctoral or professional degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- College: Medicine & Dentistry degrees, Offered by 23 universities in the US
- Licence: A licence is required in 49 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $358,550 a year The middle half earn $180,610 to $530,700.
- About 15,500 people work in this job now, and about 16,100 are projected by 2035. (+4%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Related jobs
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
- Pediatric Surgeons
- Chiropractors
- Dentists, General
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Orthodontists
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Questions people ask
How do I become an Orthopedic Surgeon?
Physicians and surgeons typically need a bachelor's degree as well as a medical degree, which takes an additional 4 years to complete. Depending on their specialty, they also need 3 to 9 years in internship and residency programs. Subspecialization includes additional training in a fellowship of 1 to 3 years.
How much does an Orthopedic Surgeon earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $358,550 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $180,610 to $530,700.
Is an Orthopedic Surgeon a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 15,500 to about 16,100 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become an Orthopedic Surgeon?
Usually. 100% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of an Orthopedic Surgeon?
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.