General surgery is a demanding and rewarding career, and the path to it is long and rigorous. If you are considering becoming a general surgeon, knowing the steps, timeline, and cost helps you plan. Here is how to become a general surgeon. Figures are approximate and change, so verify current details.
The Education Path
Becoming a general surgeon takes roughly 13 years after high school. First you earn a bachelor degree, about four years, completing pre-medical prerequisites. Then you attend medical school, four years, earning an MD or DO. Finally you complete a general surgery residency, a minimum of five years of intensive surgical training. Some surgeons then add a fellowship of one to three years to subspecialize in an area like trauma, vascular, or surgical oncology.
Residency Training
The heart of surgical training is the five-year residency. The American Board of Surgery requires a minimum of 60 months of accredited general surgery training, including extensive hands-on clinical surgical experience, with the final two years typically at the same program. Residency is intense, with long hours and progressive responsibility, as you move from assisting to leading operations. This stage is where you truly become a surgeon.
Licensing and Board Certification
To practice, you need a state medical license, obtained by passing the USMLE exams for MDs or the COMLEX exams for DOs. To become board-certified, you pass the American Board of Surgery qualifying and certifying exams, one written and one oral. Board certification, while not always legally required, is expected by employers and hospitals and signals your competence to patients and peers.
Salary and Outlook
General surgeons are well compensated, with earnings that vary by location, setting, and experience, commonly in the low-to-mid three hundred thousands or more, though figures vary. Surgeons remain in steady demand, and the specialty offers the satisfaction of directly treating and often curing patients through operations. As with all physician careers, the high earnings come after many years of training and significant educational debt.
The Cost and How to Fund It
Physician training is expensive, and most medical graduates finish with substantial debt, often over $200,000. The good news is that several programs help. Public Service Loan Forgiveness can forgive federal loans after ten years of payments while working for a nonprofit or government employer, and residency years count toward it. The military Health Professions Scholarship Program can cover medical school entirely in exchange for service, and the National Health Service Corps repays loans for those serving in shortage areas. Residents also earn a salary during training, commonly in the $60,000 to $70,000 range early on. Planning your finances early makes the long path more manageable.
Is General Surgery Right for You?
General surgery suits people who are decisive, resilient, and drawn to hands-on problem solving, and who can handle long hours and high stakes. The training is one of the most demanding in medicine, but it leads to a versatile career treating a wide range of conditions. If you find the operating room compelling and are prepared for the commitment, general surgery can be deeply rewarding. See our guide to loan forgiveness for healthcare workers to help manage the cost.
Steps to Get Started Now
If general surgery is your goal, start building toward it early. As an undergraduate, focus on a strong GPA and the pre-medical prerequisites, and gain clinical exposure through shadowing or volunteering. Prepare thoroughly for the MCAT and craft a compelling medical school application. In medical school, seek surgical rotations, research, and mentors in the field, since surgery residencies value demonstrated commitment and skill. Each of these steps moves you toward a competitive residency application and, ultimately, a career in the operating room.
Is general surgery a good career?
For those suited to it, yes. It offers strong pay, steady demand, and the reward of directly treating patients, after demanding training.
General Surgeon FAQs
How long does it take to become a general surgeon?
About 13 years after high school: four years of college, four of medical school, and at least five of residency.
What degree do I need?
An MD or DO from medical school, after a bachelor degree with pre-medical prerequisites.
How long is general surgery residency?
A minimum of five years, sometimes followed by a one-to-three-year fellowship to subspecialize.
How much do general surgeons earn?
Earnings vary but are commonly in the low-to-mid three hundred thousands or more, depending on setting and experience.
Do I need board certification?
It is expected by employers and hospitals, earned through the American Board of Surgery exams, though not always legally required.
How can I afford the training?
Through loan forgiveness programs, military scholarships, and the salary you earn during residency.
