Neurosurgeons earn an average of $788,000 per year in the United States. Surgeons perform 50 million operations annually across the country. Compensation figures, demographic breakdowns, training requirements, and wellness indicators outline the full profile of the profession.
Key Takeaways
- Average surgeon salary in US: $409,665 in 2023.
- Orthopedic surgeons earn $573,000 average annually 2023.
- Plastic surgeons average $619,000 salary US 2023.
- In 2022, there were 53,000 active surgeons in the United States.
- Surgeons make up 12% of the total physician workforce in the US as of 2021.
- 82% of surgeons in the US are male according to 2023 data.
- Surgeons complete 4 years of medical school on average.
- General surgery residency lasts 5 years in the US.
- 90% of surgeons undergo fellowship training post-residency.
- 45% of surgeons report burnout symptoms in 2023.
- Surgeon suicide rate: 1.5 times general population.
- 60% work more than 60 hours/week regularly.
- US surgeons perform 50 million operations yearly.
- Surgical site infection rate: 2-5% across procedures.
- 30-day mortality post-surgery: 1.5% average US.
US surgeons earn about $410,000 on average in 2023, with orthopedic and plastic surgeons at over $570,000.
Related reading
01 · Category
Compensation and Employment19 stats
01
Average surgeon salary in US: $409,665in 2023.
02
Orthopedic surgeons earn $573,000average annually 2023.
03
Plastic surgeons average $619,000salary US 2023.
04
General surgeons median pay: $373,000per BLS 2022.
05
Neurosurgeons top earners at $788,000average 2023.
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45% of surgeons work in private practice 2022.
07
Employed surgeons: 55% of US total in 2023.
08
Bonus pay averages 20% of base salary for surgeons.
09
Surgeon unemployment rate: 1.2% in 2022.
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Average work hours: 56 per week for surgeons 2023.
11
Call coverage: 1 in 5 nights for 60% of surgeons.
12
RVU productivity: 8,000 average per surgeon yearly.
13
Malpractice premiums average $50,000/year for surgeons.
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30% salary increase post-fellowship for subspecialists.
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Locum tenens surgeons earn $3,000/day average.
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Hospital-employed surgeons: average $450,000base.
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Retirement age average: 65 for US surgeons 2022.
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Part-time surgeons: 10% of workforce in 2023.
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Surgeon income growth: 5% annually 2018-2023.
Interpretation
Compensation and Employment Interpretation
While their salaries might suggest surgeons are paid by the limb, the real story is a grueling trade-off where sky-high earnings are the hard-won compensation for a life tethered to the hospital, haunted by malpractice, and measured in relentless productivity units.
02 · Category
Demographics20 stats
01
In 2022, there were 53,000 active surgeons in the United States.
02
Surgeons make up 12% of the total physician workforce in the US as of 2021.
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82% of surgeons in the US are male according to 2023 data.
04
The average age of surgeons in the US is 51 years old in 2022.
05
Only 18% of US surgeons are female as reported in 2023 surveys.
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64% of surgeons in the US are White, per 2021 AAMC data.
07
Asian surgeons constitute 18% of the US surgical workforce in 2022.
08
Hispanic or Latino surgeons represent 6% of US surgeons in 2023.
09
Black or African American surgeons are 5% of the total in the US per 2022 stats.
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75% of surgeons graduated from US medical schools, 2021 data.
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Surgeons in urban areas comprise 85% of the US total in 2022.
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Rural surgeons number about 4,000 in the US as of 2023.
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92% of US surgeons are board-certified per 2022 ABS data.
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Orthopedic surgeons are the largest surgical specialty with 22,000 in US 2022.
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General surgeons number 28,000 in the US workforce 2023.
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Neurosurgeons total 3,700 in the US as of 2022.
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Plastic surgeons in US: 8,000 active in 2023.
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Cardiac surgeons: 4,200 in US per STS 2022 registry.
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40% of US surgeons are over 55 years old in 2023.
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Under 40 surgeons: 15% of US total in 2022.
Interpretation
Demographics Interpretation
Despite being a field that wields the scalpel of progress, the modern US surgical landscape remains strikingly homogenous, dominated by older, white, male, urban-based physicians, suggesting the profession's most complex operation might be on its own diversity and demographic renewal.
03 · Category
Education and Training19 stats
01
Surgeons complete 4 years of medical school on average.
02
General surgery residency lasts 5 years in the US.
03
90% of surgeons undergo fellowship training post-residency.
04
Board certification requires 300-400 operative cases in residency.
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US surgeons average 14,000 hours of training before independent practice.
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75% of surgical residents publish research during training.
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Simulation training is mandatory for 95% of US surgical residencies.
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Average medical school debt for surgeons: $200,000in 2023.
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60% of surgeons enter residency via NRMP Match.
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Surgical residency acceptance rate: 78% for US grads 2022.
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Fellows in surgical subspecialties: 1,500 new per year US.
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Recertification exams every 10 years for 85% of surgeons.
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CME credits required: 50 hours annually for most surgeons.
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70% of surgeons participate in robotic surgery training.
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Laparoscopic skills training starts in PGY-1 for 80% programs.
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International surgeons: 25% trained outside US initially.
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ABS qualifying exam pass rate: 88% first time 2022.
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Surgical boot camps attended by 65% of new residents.
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Mentorship programs in 90% of surgical residencies.
Interpretation
Education and Training Interpretation
Surgeons endure a grueling, decade-long gauntlet of debt, sleepless nights, and simulated organs, all to earn the privilege of being perpetually tested on their ability to not accidentally leave a sponge inside you.
More related reading
04 · Category
Professional Challenges and Wellness10 stats
01
45% of surgeons report burnout symptoms in 2023.
02
Surgeon suicide rate: 1.5 times general population.
03
60% work more than 60 hours/week regularly.
04
Malpractice claims against surgeons: 20% lifetime risk.
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35% delay retirement due to shortages.
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Wellness programs in 70% of hospitals for surgeons.
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Substance abuse rate: 10-15% among surgeons.
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Duty hour violations reported by 25% residents.
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50% cite administrative burden as top stressor.
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Violence against surgeons: 12% experienced in ER.
Interpretation
Professional Challenges and Wellness Interpretation
The statistics paint a grim portrait of a profession in a state of alarming distress, where the very people tasked with mending others are being systematically broken by a system of relentless hours, immense pressure, and profound personal risk.
05 · Category
Surgical Practices and Outcomes20 stats
01
US surgeons perform 50 million operations yearly.
02
Surgical site infection rate: 2-5% across procedures.
03
30-day mortality post-surgery: 1.5% average US.
04
Robotic surgeries: 1 million performed in US 2022.
05
Laparoscopic procedures: 60% of abdominal surgeries.
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Average surgery duration: 2.5 hours for general cases.
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Readmission rate within 30 days: 8% post-op.
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Antibiotic prophylaxis used in 95% of surgeries.
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Minimally invasive surgeries: 70% growth since 2010.
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Hernia repairs: 1 million annually in US.
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Appendectomies: 300,000 per year US 2022.
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CABG surgeries: 200,000 yearly US.
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Hip replacements: 450,000 in US 2022.
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Complication rate for elective surgery: 10%.
15
OR turnover time average: 45 minutes US hospitals.
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90-day survival post-major surgery: 92%.
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Transplant surgeries: 40,000 organ transplants US yearly.
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Bariatric surgeries: 250,000 in US 2022.
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Spine surgeries: 500,000 annually US.
20
Patient satisfaction post-surgery: 85% excellent rating.
Interpretation
Surgical Practices and Outcomes Interpretation
While surgeons are performing a staggering 50 million operations a year with impressive survival rates and patient satisfaction, the sobering reality is that hundreds of thousands of patients still face infections, complications, and readmissions, proving that even our most advanced medicine remains a profoundly high-stakes art.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Leah Kessler. (2026, February 27). Surgeon Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/surgeon-statistics
MLA
Leah Kessler. "Surgeon Statistics." Gitnux, 27 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/surgeon-statistics.
Chicago
Leah Kessler. 2026. "Surgeon Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/surgeon-statistics.
Sources & references
33 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+1 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)