How Much Do Surgeons Make Yearly?

Surgeons are a very specialized kind of doctor. They’re trained to make incisions in a patient’s body to either repair or remove internal parts and organs. Their profession requires an extremely high level of training and skill. Surgeons are answerable for their patients before surgery and following up with their recovery after surgery. In exchange, surgeons are one of the highest-paid doctors in their area.

How Much Do Surgeons Make

General Surgeons

As the name indicates, general surgeons undergo training to perform a range of surgeries. They operate on such general medical issues as appendicitis, hernias, and problems with the gallbladder, intestines, and stomach. General surgeons also have the expertise to deal with oncology, critical care, and trauma. All types of surgeons must start their training as general surgeons before moving on to a specialty.

According to salary.com(1), the median pay for a general surgeon is $374,510. The lowest 10 percent average $264,229, while the highest 10 percent have an average income of $444,728.

Neurological Surgeons

Neurological surgeons deal with issues associated with the nervous system. This includes the spinal cord, the brain, and other nerves of the body.

Neurosurgeons are initially trained as general surgeons for about 5 years and then receive several additional years of specialized training in neurosurgery for children and adults. This training teaches them to treat, diagnose, and perform surgery to address problems that occur in the nervous system.

Some neurosurgeons become more specialized and only practice in certain areas. They may concentrate on brain surgery or only on the spine or neck.

The median income of neurosurgeons is $580,562. The lowest 10 percent earn $306,379, and the top 10 percent bring in an average of $734,517.

Orthopedic Surgeons

Orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat musculoskeletal diseases and injuries. They reattach tendons, cast broken bones, splint limbs, and perform knee and hip replacements. While they’re skilled as surgeons, as much as half of their treatments involve noninvasive procedures with therapeutic exercises and drug prescriptions.

Orthopedic surgeons have a median salary of $463,751. The top ten percent bring in an average of $599,985, and the lowest ten percent earn $274,310.

Plastic Surgeons

The most dangerous work of a plastic surgeon is to fix damage resulting from fatal accidents and to perform skin grafts from burns. However, the more well-known facet of their occupation is implementing cosmetic surgical techniques to enhance one’s beauty.

The top ten percent of plastic surgeons will average $464,751. The lowest ten percent are paid an average of $257,259, and the median income for all plastic surgeons is $374,495.

Cardiothoracic Surgeons

Cardiothoracic surgeons specialize in the treatment, diagnosis, and surgery of patients with medical issues with their hearts and lungs. Heart surgeons need about ten years of training and are among the most highly skilled in their domain. Their occupation is highly stressful since they’re often handling life-threatening issues.

A heart surgeon’s pay is a median of $449,625. The upper ten percent bring in an average of $563,608, while the lower ten percent earns $279,522.

Careers in Europe:

An early career General Surgeon with 1-5 years of experience earns an average total compensation of £70,791. A mid-career General Surgeon with 5-10 years of experience makes an average total compensation of £70,000. An experienced General Surgeon with 10-20 years of experience earns an average total salary of £85,000. In their late-career (20 years and higher), employees make an average total compensation of £87,429.

Careers in Asia:

A mid-career General Surgeon with 5-10 years of experience earns an average total compensation (includes bonus, tips, and overtime pay) of S$108,000 (Singapore). An experienced General Surgeon with 10-20 years of experience earns an average total compensation of S$117,916.

[ Read: A Complete Guide on How to Become a Surgeon? ]

Job Outlook

The BLS projects that employment for surgeons will increase by fourteen percent from 2016 through 2026. This growth will be necessitated by an aging population that will require more care for treatments for cancer and heart conditions.