What Surgeon Makes the Most Money?
There is no doubt that surgeons are among the highest-paid professionals in the medical field. In many countries, the list of the top 5 highest-paid physician specialties comprises surgeons.
Let’s review the data available online and see which field of surgery has the highest-paid doctors. As you will see below, the numbers vary depending on sources.
Organizations that create annual salary reports use their methods to obtain and classify this data, hence the difference.
Watch the Video for the 16 Highest Surgeon Salary in the U.S.
Top 16 highest-paid physician specialties (According to Medical Group Management Association)
In 2019, MGMA analyzed data from more than 6000 organizations and 160,000 physicians. So, how much do surgeons make?
Remember: Years of experience, geographical locations, economic climate and type of practice influence surgeon salaries.
16. Gynecology and Obstetrics Surgeon $336,000
To become a Gynecology and Obstetrics Surgeon, you must first graduate from medical school. You must complete an OBGYN residency program from a reputed organization accredited by the American Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
The average salary of a Gynecology and Obstetrics in the US is around $336,000. It may vary based on their certifications, education, skillset, and experience.
15. Head and Neck Surgeon $407,788
Head and neck surgeons are highly paid in the US. Here, the average salary of a head and neck surgeon is around $407,788. Houston has the highest average total salary for head and neck surgeons.
14. Ophthalmologist (Opthalmologic Surgeon) $424,488
Students must complete a bachelor’s degree and four years of medical school before becoming ophthalmologists.
Next, they must complete three years of ophthalmology training followed by an intern year of residency.
13. General Surgery – $439,824
General surgeons are trained to perform a wide variety of procedures, including common medical issues such as appendicitis, hernias, cholecystitis, etc.
All types of surgeons begin their training as general surgeons first.
12. ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) Surgeon $472,273
An ENT surgeon generally performs different surgical methods in the nose, ear, and throat. They earn around $472,273, depending on their experience, education, certification, and additional skills.
11. Urologist Surgeon $472,941
To become a urologist, you must finish a residency program for five to six years, approved by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). You must learn general surgery during the first two years of residency training, and the next three years are entirely devoted to urology.
In the US, the average salary of a Urologist is around $472,491. Salary can vary significantly based on their education, credentials, additional talents, skillset, and experience.
10. Vascular Surgeon – $534,508
Vascular surgeons usually operate on the arteries and veins disease in every part of the body. However, they don’t focus on the veins and arteries of the heart and brain.
This profession is also a high-paying one globally. On average, a vascular surgeon earns $534,508.
In vascular surgery, surgeons usually operate by restoring the blood flow within the human body.
It may include angioplasty, which implies opening the blocked blood vessels or removing plaque within the diseased veins and arteries.
Some surgeons also specialize in particular vascular interventions, and their pay is according to their specialties and skills.
After graduation, you may need 5 years of general surgery and 2 years of vascular surgery training to become a vascular surgeon.
9. Maxillofacial Surgeon – $538,590
To become a maxillofacial or oral surgeon, you must first have an accredited Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. Next, you need to complete a four-year course in dentistry.
Then, you have to complete additional coursework on oral and maxillofacial surgery. In the United States, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon earns around $538,590 annually.
8. Plastic Surgeon – $539,208
Plastic surgery is leading the list with an average annual compensation of $539,208.
The interesting fact is that plastic surgeons’ salaries increased by an average of 10% in 2020, despite the fact they did not have as much work as in previous years – elective surgeries stopped almost everywhere during the pandemic.
7. Orthopedic Surgeon – $605,330
The numbers in this report are lower than in the previous one. According to Medscape, the average annual salary of orthopedic surgeons is $605,330
6. Thoracic surgeon – $ 668,350
Thoracic or cardiothoracic surgery refers to operations or surgeries that take place in the chest. It’s one of the highest-paid specialties, where the highest earnings of surgeons in the USA is $668,350.
There’s a high demand for thoracic surgeons worldwide. Thoracic surgeons are specialists who operate on the esophagus, heart, lungs, and trachea.
Thoracic surgeon candidates usually need a 4 year UG degree and a medical degree to become a thoracic surgeon.
In the USA, thoracic surgeons have high-paying roles. That’s why it’s the best place to earn more in this profession.
5. Neurosurgeon – $746,544
Neurosurgeons hold the number 1 spot as the highest-paid surgeons on this list, with an average reported salary of just under 1 million USD.
Considering the number of years required to become a neurosurgeon and the workload they have to deal with, this is well-deserved pay.
4. Orthopedic surgeon: hip and joints – $756,000
Orthopedic surgeons specialize in things like hip and knee replacements. They mainly work with older patients.
They also need to be on call in case of accidents and usually work more than 60 hours/per week.
To become an orthopedic surgeon, you need at least 6-7 years after you graduate from med school. This includes a minimum of 5 years of residency plus fellowship.
3. Cardiovascular surgery – $795,000
The stakes are high in cardiac surgery, as you have to deal with the heart. The work intensity varies, but sometimes they must perform long operations, up to 12 hours.
You need 7-9 years after you finish med school to become a cardiovascular surgeon and probably will have to work up to 80 hours/week.
2. Pediatric neurosurgeon – $818,000
In third place, we have pediatric neurosurgeons, who treat things like tumors and spinal defects in children.
This differs from regular neurosurgery since a child’s anatomy and physiology are not the same as adults. To become a neurosurgeon, one must finish 7 years of residency and 1-3 years of fellowship to become a pediatric neurosurgeon.
1. Orthopedic surgeon: spine – $835,000
Orthopedic surgeons have become one of the highest-paid doctors in the world. They diagnose and treat injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
All major sports teams in the U.S. and Europe have at least one specialist on standby and pay millions of dollars annually for their services.
Spinal orthopedic surgeons focus on clinical diagnoses around spinal bones and muscles, like scoliosis.
Annual Physician Compensation Report (Doximity)
These data were obtained from the survey responses from 135,000 U.S. doctors. Here is the list of specialties doing best in terms of annual compensation :
1. Orthopedic surgeon: spine – $835,000
2. Pediatric neurosurgeon – $818,000
3. Cardiovascular surgery – $795,000
4. Orthopedic surgeon: hip and joints – $756,000
5. Neurosurgeon – $746,544
6. Thoracic surgeon — $668,350
7. Orthopedic Surgeon – $605,330
8. Plastic Surgeon – $539,208
9. Maxillofacial Surgeon – $538,590
10. Vascular Surgeon – $534,508
11. Urology — $472,941
12. ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) Surgeon – $472,273
13. General Surgery – $439,824
14. Ophthalmologist (Opthalmologic Surgeon) – $424,488
15. Head and Neck Surgeon – $407,788
16. Gynecology and Obstetrics Surgeon – $336,000
Six out of ten top-paid specialties are related to surgery.
Europe
Finding reliable surgeon salary data for Europe is even harder. The EU is composed of 27 separate countries with their own medical systems.
The income of surgeons varies widely in these countries. Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium are referred to as the highest-paying countries for doctors.
In general, salaries for surgeons in the EU are less than in the U.S. The same is true for physicians.
According to Medscape’s International Physician Compensation Report 2019, the average salary is twice as low in the UK and Germany as it is in the U.S.
See Also
Medical Billing and Coding Salary
Difference Between Medical Assistant and Physician Assistant
Physician Organizations in the USA
How Much Does a Nurse Practitioner Make
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