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General Surgeon Salary in the United States

How much does a General Surgeon make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Surgeon in the United States is $439,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $211.

However, a General Surgeon's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $560,049
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $397,100 to $502,600
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $358,497
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence General Surgeon Salaries

A General Surgeon's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects General Surgeon Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a General Surgeon's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $422,413
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $425,578
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $428,742
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $433,172
  • Expert (over 8 years): $444,209
Levels Salary
Entry Level General Surgeon$422,413
Intermediate Level General Surgeon$425,578
Senior Level General Surgeon$428,742
Specialist Level General Surgeon$433,172
Expert Level General Surgeon$444,209
View as Graph

How Do General Surgeon Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract General Surgeons. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $486,600.
  • California: $484,800.
  • Massachusetts: $478,300.

Top Paying Cities for General Surgeons

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $554,400
  • San Francisco: $548,300
  • Oakland: $536,700

What Skills Can Increase a General Surgeon's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Critical Thinking (Mentioned in 7.63% Job Postings): Questioning, analyzing and evaluating various alternatives and situations to draw a rational conclusion independently.
  • HIPAA (Mentioned in 3.58% Job Postings): The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge.
  • Clinical Practice (Mentioned in 2.12% Job Postings): Clinical practice is defined as a model of practice that involves those activities with and on behalf of clients, especially those activities completed in the client's presence and with the client's collaboration.
Skills Demand Percentage
Critical Thinking 7.63%
HIPAA 3.58%
Clinical Practice 2.12%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a General Surgeon's salary.

  • Cardiac: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Acute Care: Can increase your salary by up to 1%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 1%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Cardiac $448,290
2%
Acute Care $443,895
1%
Leadership $443,895
1%
Get Latest Data

General Surgeon Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

General Surgeon salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $494,109. While startup companies pay approximate $419,536.

General Surgeon Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $419,536
Growth Stage 51~500 $443,276
Established 501~5000 $477,519
Enterprise 5000+ $494,109

General Surgeon Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For General Surgeon roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, General Surgeon positions in Pharmaceuticals or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view General Surgeon as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a General Surgeon

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$659,250$317.050%
Biotechnology$527,400$254.020%

How Education impacts a General Surgeon's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many General Surgeons enter the field with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a General Surgeon with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $424,899 and $467,091).

General Surgeon Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for General Surgeon
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 4.3%
Associates 2.1%
Bachelors 2.1%
Masters 5.0%
Doctorate 87.1%
View as Graph

General Surgeon Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a General Surgeon's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$397,100
Average $439,500/year
$502,600
$33,092
Average $36,625/month
$41,883
$7,637
Average $8,452/week
$9,665
$191
Average $211/hour
$242
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $502,600 $41,883 $9,665 $242
Average $439,500 $36,625 $8,452 $211
25th Percentile $397,100 $33,092 $7,637 $191

Most common benefits for General Surgeon

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for General Surgeon

Here are companies hiring for General Surgeon and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about General Surgeon

1. What industry pays the highest salary for General Surgeon?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for General Surgeon roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

2. How much do USA general surgery residents get paid?

General surgery residents in the USA typically earn an average salary of around $61,500. However, once they complete their residency and become practicing general surgeons, their salaries can range significantly, with a minimum of approximately $376,300, a mid-range salary of about $445,000, and a maximum of around $528,100.

3. How many years does it take to be a general surgeon?

Becoming a general surgeon typically takes at least 13 years. This includes completing a four-year bachelor's degree, a four-year medical degree, and a minimum five-year residency. In terms of salary, general surgeons can expect to earn between $376,300 and $528,100, with a median salary of around $445,000.

4. How many years is general surgery in USA?

General surgery residency in the USA typically lasts 5 years. After completing this training, general surgeons can expect to earn a salary ranging from a minimum of $376,300 to a maximum of $528,100, with a mid-salary of approximately $445,000.

5. Which surgeon is highest paid in USA?

General surgeons have a salary range with a minimum of $376,300, a mid-level salary of $445,000, and a maximum of $528,100. While neurosurgeons are often cited as the highest-paid surgeons, general surgeons also earn a substantial income within this range.

6. Are general surgeons in high demand?

Yes, general surgeons are in high demand, with a projected cumulative growth in demand exceeding 25% by 2025. The Association of American Medical Colleges anticipates a shortage of 41,000 general surgeons by that year. With salaries ranging from $376,300 to $528,100, this profession offers both financial rewards and job security.

7. Do surgeons make 500k a year?

Surgeons, specifically general surgeons, typically earn between $376,300 and $528,100 annually, with a mid-salary of $445,000. While some specialized surgeons may earn over $500,000, general surgeons generally fall within this range. Therefore, not all surgeons make $500,000 a year.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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