Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric fall under the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category in the U.S. occupational classification. Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric earn a median salary of $358,550 per year, ranking in the top 1% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +4.0% job growth through 2035, 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?

The median annual wage for orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric is $358,550. That puts orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric at #6 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric sit firmly in the top tier of U.S. earnings. Pay this high almost always requires extensive postgraduate education, board certification, or executive-level responsibility. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric is +4.0%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 15K positions in 2024 to 16K 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.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  $352,220 median
• Emergency Medicine Physicians
  $335,550 median
• Dermatologists
  $328,730 median
• Physicians, Pathologists
  $312,400 median
• Prosthodontists
  $311,180 median
• Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
  $300,080 median

Common questions parents ask about orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric