Orthopedic Surgeon

Getting Started

How to Become a Orthopedic Surgeon

You can start practicing as an orthopedic surgeon in 13 years with $250k-$375k in training costs — that's longer than any other medical specialty but leads to some of the highest earnings in health care.

Overview

What Does a Orthopedic Surgeon Do?

After 13 years of training, you'll work primarily in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers, splitting time between the operating room and clinic consultations. Your surgical work ranges from emergency trauma cases to planned procedures like hip replacements, with each operation requiring precise technical skills and deep anatomical knowledge.

• Review a patient's medical history, allergies, physical condition, and exam results to confirm that surgery is necessary and decide on the best surgical approach.
• Conduct research to develop and test new surgical techniques that improve procedures and outcomes for musculoskeletal injuries and diseases.
• Diagnose bone, joint, and muscle disorders and provide treatments such as medications and surgeries in clinics, hospital wards, or operating rooms.
• Diagnose and treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
• Direct and coordinate the activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, medical residents, and other staff members.
• Examine surgical instruments, equipment, and the operating room to ensure everything is sterile and ready for surgery.
• Examine patients to gather information about their medical condition and assess the risks associated with surgery.
• Follow established surgical techniques during operations to ensure safe and effective procedures.

Tasks from O*NET OnLine

Requirements

Licensing & Certification

You must hold an unrestricted medical license to practice surgery in any state. Board certification by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery isn't legally required, but hospitals, insurance companies, and patients expect it — most facilities won't grant surgical privileges without certification or active board eligibility.

Compensation

Orthopedic Surgeon Salary

At $239k median salary, orthopedic surgeons earn significantly more than family medicine physicians ($239k) and internal medicine physicians ($239k), but the 13-year training path means you start earning this income much later. Geographic variation is substantial, with surgeons in major metropolitan areas often earning $300k+ while rural positions may start closer to $200k.

You'll invest $349k and 13 years to start earning $239k — that means 13 years to break even on your education investment, but then decades of high earnings ahead. The delayed gratification is extreme compared to physician assistants, who spend $133k and 6.5 years to start earning $133k with just 1 year to break even.

Salaries vary by location and setting. Orthopedic Surgeons in metropolitan areas and specialty practices typically earn more than the national median.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024

Is It Worth It? 20-Year ROI

Despite the massive upfront investment, orthopedic surgery delivers strong returns with $1.7 million in net 20-year earnings and break-even at year 13. This ranks among the best long-term ROI paths in medicine because the high salary ($239k) continues for decades after you finish training. While physician assistants break even faster, surgeons ultimately earn $1+ million more over a 20-year career.

Among doctoral-level medical careers, orthopedic surgery ranks in the top tier for ROI alongside other surgical specialties, significantly outperforming family medicine and internal medicine physicians who have similar training costs but identical median salaries.

Future-Proofing

Orthopedic Surgeon Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Demand grows at 3% annually — about average across all occupations — driven by an aging population that needs more joint replacements and fracture repairs as people live longer and stay active later in life.

HealthJob Analysis

Will AI Replace Orthopedic Surgeon?

AI poses minimal threat to orthopedic surgery because the work requires physical dexterity, real-time decision-making, and patient interaction that cannot be automated. Robotic platforms like the Mako system assist with joint replacement planning and precision, but you still perform all cutting, implant placement, and surgical decisions. These tools enhance precision rather than replace surgeons — adoption remains around 10% of procedures and still requires full surgeon control.

Based on evidence-based AI impact methodology

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