Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Surgeons, all other (SOC 29-1249) employed 25,140 people in May 2025. The median pay is $414,010 a year ($199.04 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $80,320 and the highest-paid 10% more than $655,320. BLS projects its employment to change by +4.0% between 2025 and 2035 (about 700 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Doctoral or professional degree.
Highest median pay: North Dakota ($604,890), Minnesota ($568,150), Ohio ($554,220). Most jobs: New York (4,540), Florida (2,260), Texas (1,710).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,320 | $38.62 |
| 25th percentile | $134,850 | $64.83 |
| Median | $414,010 | $199.04 |
| Mean | $373,930 | $179.77 |
| 75th percentile | $511,420 | $245.88 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $655,320 | $315.06 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 27,500 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 28,600 |
| Change in jobs | 1,100 |
| Percent change | +4.0% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 700 |
| Self-employed share | 5.3% |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Internship/residency |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 340 | 0.99 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | n/a | n/a |
| Alaska | 60 | 1.07 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | n/a | n/a |
| Arkansas | 280 | 1.32 | $254,940 | $64,490 | $417,460 | -38% | 5% |
| Colorado | 470 | 1.00 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | n/a | n/a |
| Connecticut | 440 | 1.60 | $161,680 | $77,190 | $516,990 | -61% | 12% |
| Delaware | 70 | 0.93 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | n/a | n/a |
| District of Columbia | 140 | 1.21 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Florida | 2,260 | 1.41 | $429,990 | $138,220 | $502,710 | +4% | 5% |
| Georgia | 300 | 0.38 | $502,070 | $233,990 | $683,460 | +21% | 4% |
| Hawaii | 450 | 4.44 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Idaho | 60 | 0.45 | $211,490 | $201,820 | $815,940 | -49% | 8% |
| Illinois | 620 | 0.63 | $438,010 | $72,540 | $663,980 | +6% | 4% |
| Indiana | 420 | 0.82 | $459,300 | $91,010 | $508,260 | +11% | 3% |
| Iowa | 110 | 0.43 | $370,390 | $86,290 | ≥ $239,200 | -11% | 3% |
| Kansas | 30 | 0.15 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | n/a | n/a |
| Kentucky | 440 | 1.37 | $162,160 | $64,630 | $468,680 | -61% | 7% |
| Louisiana | 140 | 0.45 | $304,830 | $169,740 | $650,510 | -26% | 4% |
| Maine | 140 | 1.36 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | n/a | n/a |
| Maryland | 520 | 1.16 | $328,700 | $85,570 | $593,000 | -21% | 6% |
| Massachusetts | 770 | 1.31 | $387,150 | $75,980 | $561,250 | -6% | 6% |
| Michigan | 440 | 0.62 | $412,460 | $80,920 | $731,490 | -0% | 3% |
| Minnesota | 910 | 1.90 | $568,150 | $80,180 | $735,960 | +37% | 3% |
| Mississippi | 120 | 0.61 | $180,420 | $94,580 | $679,370 | -56% | 7% |
| Missouri | 160 | 0.33 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | n/a | n/a |
| Nebraska | 180 | 1.09 | $341,410 | $71,160 | $687,630 | -18% | 4% |
| New Hampshire | 220 | 1.98 | $534,870 | $69,700 | $582,250 | +29% | 3% |
| New Jersey | 680 | 0.98 | $437,890 | $82,230 | ≥ $239,200 | +6% | 5% |
| New Mexico | 150 | 1.06 | $363,940 | $136,160 | $528,640 | -12% | 4% |
| New York | 4,540 | 2.90 | $410,410 | $85,040 | $702,270 | -1% | 5% |
| North Carolina | 480 | 0.60 | $398,410 | $149,990 | $526,570 | -4% | 4% |
| North Dakota | 150 | 2.19 | $604,890 | $231,280 | $680,960 | +46% | 2% |
| Ohio | 980 | 1.10 | $554,220 | $76,820 | $727,860 | +34% | 2% |
| Oklahoma | 80 | 0.30 | $553,790 | $119,590 | $560,310 | +34% | 2% |
| Oregon | 500 | 1.58 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | n/a | n/a |
| South Dakota | 120 | 1.68 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | ≥ $239,200 | n/a | n/a |
| Tennessee | 490 | 0.92 | $373,510 | $68,710 | $946,560 | -10% | 4% |
| Texas | 1,710 | 0.75 | $222,820 | $72,820 | $646,370 | -46% | 8% |
| Vermont | 160 | 3.31 | $438,530 | $175,810 | $497,590 | +6% | 4% |
| Virginia | 260 | 0.40 | $360,510 | $75,130 | $498,050 | -13% | 5% |
| Washington | 370 | 0.65 | $479,460 | $83,240 | $557,650 | +16% | 5% |
| West Virginia | 240 | 2.11 | $468,210 | $59,650 | $638,860 | +13% | 2% |
| Wisconsin | 550 | 1.16 | $416,000 | $46,490 | $802,110 | +0% | 3% |
| Wyoming | 60 | 1.43 | $387,880 | $219,900 | $593,020 | -6% | 3% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 330 | $568,150 | $238,750 | $780,170 | 1.05 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 470 | $494,800 | $86,150 | $785,830 | 0.72 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 340 | $462,620 | $73,320 | $663,980 | 0.46 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 360 | $459,300 | $91,020 | $508,260 | 2.00 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 4,290 | $399,990 | $88,100 | $805,330 | 2.79 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 520 | $386,300 | $75,980 | $561,250 | 1.19 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 340 | $224,860 | $107,720 | $498,050 | 0.68 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 330 | $128,960 | $64,630 | $468,680 | 7.10 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 560 | $80,140 | $71,710 | $646,370 | 1.05 |
The median is $414,010 a year ($199.04 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $80,320 and the highest-paid tenth over $655,320 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
25,140 in May 2025, and BLS projects +4.0% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS).
North Dakota, with a median of $604,890 (among states with published figures).