As of May 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Surgeon in the United States is $211, which translates to an annual salary of about $439,221.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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A 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Surgeon | $422,043 |
| Intermediate Level Surgeon | $425,224 |
| Senior Level Surgeon | $428,405 |
| Specialist Level Surgeon | $432,859 |
| Expert Level Surgeon | $443,919 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Surgeons. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 7.63% |
| HIPAA | 3.58% |
| Clinical Practice | 2.12% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Cardiac
|
$448,005 |
2%
|
|
Acute Care
|
$443,613 |
1%
|
|
Leadership
|
$443,613 |
1%
|
|
Clinical Care
|
$443,613 |
1%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$443,613 |
1%
|
|
Pediatric
|
$443,613 |
1%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many 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 Surgeon with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $426,717 and $469,108).
Surgeon Salaries by Degree Level
| 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% |
Understanding how a 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 May 01, 2026Salaries for a Surgeon can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $231,993 in 2023 to around $226,789 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Surgeon salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $231,993 |
| 2024 | $237,504 |
| 2025 | $226,789 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Surgeon and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Surgeon job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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Performs surgery to prevent and correct injuries, deformities, diseases or improve patient function, appearance or quality of life. Reviews patient history and confirms need for surgery. Determines which instruments and method of surgery will be most successful in achieving desired outcome. May provide medical personnel with direction concerning patient care. May provide in-service training as needed to address new technology in health care treatment. Provides charting in compliance with all laws and regulations. Requires a MD degree from an accredited school. Typically reports to a medical director. Requires a license to practice. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Critical Thinking: Questioning, analyzing and evaluating various alternatives and situations to draw a rational conclusion independently.
HIPAA: 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: 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.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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