Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.
What it pays
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric earn a median of $172.38/hr — about $358,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $40.46/hr; the top 10% earn $316.97/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric earn a median of $172.38/hr — about $358,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $40.46/hr; the top 10% earn $316.97/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- Analyze patient's medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and examination results to verify operation's necessity and to determine best procedure.
- Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques that can improve operating procedures and outcomes related to musculoskeletal injuries and diseases.
- Diagnose bodily disorders and orthopedic conditions, and provide treatments, such as medicines and surgeries, in clinics, hospital wards, or operating rooms.
- Diagnose or treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
- Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, residents, and other medical staff.
- Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
The feel of the work
The work is mostly indoors; you're around people constantly; time pressure is a real part of the job; it rewards working independently; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)
Working for yourself
About 0.7% of orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are analytical, hands-on and people-focused.
Work a simulated shift in this job — freeMake the real decisions this job involves, then see what your choices say about you.Related careers
- Emergency Medicine Physicians
- Anesthesiologists
- Physicians, All Other
- General Internal Medicine Physicians
- Family Medicine Physicians
- Nurse Anesthetists
Quick questions
- How much does a orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric make?
- The median pay is $172.38 per hour — roughly $358,500 a year, with the real range running from about $40.46/hr (10th percentile) to $316.97/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric?
- The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
- What does a orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric actually do all day?
- Analyze patient's medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and examination results to verify operation's necessity and to determine best procedure. Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques that can improve operating procedures and outcomes related to musculoskeletal injuries and diseases. Diagnose bodily disorders and orthopedic conditions, and provide treatments, such as medicines and surgeries, in clinics, hospital wards, or operating rooms.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.