Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
SOC code 29-1242 · O*NET-SOC 29-1242.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Healthcare
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$358,550
a year
Hourly
$172.38
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$373,570
$179.60 per hour
Middle 50%
$180,610 – $530,700
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$84,170 – $659,290
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
14,100
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $84,170
- $40.46/hr
- 25th percentile
- $180,610
- $86.83/hr
- Median percentile
- $358,550
- $172.38/hr
- 75th percentile
- $530,700
- $255.15/hr
- 90th percentile
- $659,290
- $316.97/hr
What do orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric do?
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.
The tasks that matter most day to 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.
- 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.
How to qualify for this work
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does an orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric earn?
The national median is $358,550 a year. The full range runs from $84,170 at the 10th percentile to $659,290 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.