Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical · SOC 29-1242 · O*NET 29-1242.00
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.
Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric fall under the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category in the U.S. occupational classification. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +4.1% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's or doctoral degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric earn?
BLS does not publish a current median annual wage for orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric, which usually means the occupation is small, niche, or reported only as part of a broader category. For pay context, check the parent SOC group or O*NET's wage-by-state tables.
Is orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric is +4.1%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 14K positions in 2024 to 15K in 2034, a net change of 1K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.
What education does my child need to become orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric?
Becoming a orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's, doctoral, or professional degree, plus state licensure or board certification depending on specialty. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Licensing requirements for orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric
Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric are regulated at the state level in the United States. Practicing without a current license is not legal in most jurisdictions.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric
What is the median salary for orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric?
BLS does not publish a current median wage for orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric as a standalone occupation.
Is orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric a growing career?
BLS projects +4.1% growth for orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric from 2024 through 2034, which is average growth projected to grow at roughly the US average.
What education does my child need to become orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric?
The typical entry path requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's or doctoral degree, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric?
Related occupations within the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.