Surgeon Salary in 2026

    SOC: 29-1249.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $239,200
    per year
    Salary Range
    $77K – $239K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    24,080
    employed
    Job Growth
    +3.9%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Surgeons Make?

    Surgeons earn a median annual salary of $239,200 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $77,290 at the 10th percentile to $239,200 at the 90th percentile — a range of $161,910. The highest-paying state is Alabama at $239,200.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$77,290
    25th percentile$139,070
    Median (50th)$239,200
    75th percentile$239,200
    90th percentile$239,200
    10th: $77,290Median: $239,20090th: $239,200
    Section 02

    Surgeon Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    Alabamatop$239,200
    Delaware$239,200
    District of Columbia$239,200
    Georgia$239,200
    Idaho$239,200
    Illinois$239,200
    Indiana$239,200
    Iowa$239,200
    Kansas$239,200
    Louisiana$239,200
    Maine$239,200
    Maryland$239,200
    Massachusetts$239,200
    Michigan$239,200
    Minnesota$239,200
    Missouri$239,200
    New Hampshire$239,200
    New Mexico$239,200
    North Carolina$239,200
    North Dakota$239,200
    Ohio$239,200
    Arizona$239,200
    Oregon$239,200
    Pennsylvania$239,200
    South Carolina$239,200
    South Dakota$239,200
    Tennessee$239,200
    Utah$239,200
    Vermont$239,200
    Virginia$239,200
    Washington$239,200
    West Virginia$239,200
    Wisconsin$239,200
    Wyoming$239,200
    California$239,200
    Colorado$239,200
    New York$166,240
    Texas$115,010
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Surgeons

    Arizona
    Highest paying
    $239,200
    top metro salary
    Alabama
    $239,200
    $0 vs highest
    Illinois
    $239,200
    $0 vs highest
    Indiana
    $239,200
    $0 vs highest
    Iowa
    $239,200
    $0 vs highest
    Georgia
    $239,200
    $0 vs highest
    Maryland
    $239,200
    $0 vs highest
    Massachusetts
    $239,200
    $0 vs highest
    Section 04

    Surgeon Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$77,290 – $139,070
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$239,200
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$239,200
    Senior (15+ yrs)$239,200+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as a Surgeon

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Surgeons in Arizona earn $239,200 — $0 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($239,200) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 29-1249.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.