How much does a bone surgeon make?

Patients come to clinic for an exam and X-rays; the surgeon chooses treatment such as medicine, a brace, or surgery. In the operating room, they work with a team to fix bones or joints, then write notes and check how patients recover.

Did you know? In 1969, a Mayo Clinic team led by orthopedic surgeon Mark Coventry performed the first successful total hip replacement in the United States.

Earn a bachelor’s degree, then complete four years of medical school and a five-year orthopedic residency; pass USMLE or COMLEX and obtain a state license. With this long training, many begin practicing in their early 30s.

School needed: Graduate degree or long training

Good for people who like figuring things out and building and doing

Why does pay differ?

In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, extra training or board certification, and the employer and location. A surgeon’s specialty and work hours can matter too; BLS lists credentials, experience, employer, location, and hours as factors in wage differences.