Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric: Job Description
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.
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What Tasks Do Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric Perform?
The core tasks performed by orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric include:
- 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.
- Examine patient to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk.
- Follow established surgical techniques during the operation.
Types of Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric Jobs
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Doctor
- Foot and Ankle Surgeon
- General Orthopedic Surgeon
- General Surgeon
- Hand Surgeon
- Medical Doctor (MD)
- Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Orthopedic Hand Surgeon
Job Outlook
The U.S. employs around 602,557 orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +12.3% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $126,544 |
| Hourly median | $60.84 |
| 10th percentile | $90,324 |
| 25th percentile | $108,434 |
| 75th percentile | $144,655 |
| 90th percentile | $162,765 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Ohio | $220,390 |
| Nevada | $219,790 |
| New York | $215,630 |
| Massachusetts | $193,200 |
Where Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric Earn the Most
Pay for orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric differ across the country. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Atlantic | $130,821 | 21.2% | 1.47 |
| Great Lakes | $79,746 | 13.5% | 1.04 |
| New England | $63,344 | 5.4% | 1.50 |
| Far Western US | $3,522 | 27.6% | 1.42 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $230,130 | 1,520 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | TN | $216,380 | |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | CA | $215,010 | 170 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | MO | $206,400 | |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | MA | $180,340 | |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | NC | $163,420 | 50 |
| Rochester, MN | MN | $76,240 |
Industry Breakdown
The bulk of orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 13,870 | n/a |
| Educational Services | 270 | $80,250 |
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric work in the following industries:
Tools and Technology
- Medical software: Epic Systems (hot technology)
- Medical software: MEDITECH software (hot technology)
- Operating system software: Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
Getting Started in This Career
This occupation sits in Extensive Preparation Needed (Job Zone 5), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Chiropractors (Supplemental)
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (Primary-Short)
- Physician Assistants (Supplemental)
- Anesthesiologist Assistants (Supplemental)
- Podiatrists (Primary-Long)
- Anesthesiologists (Primary-Short)
- Cardiologists (Supplemental)
- Dermatologists (Primary-Long)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Aspiring orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric often complete programs in:
4 programs across 2 majors
Health Professions and Related Programs
2 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 29-1242.00 (Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric).