Surgeon Salary in 2026
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.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $77,290 |
| 25th percentile | $139,070 |
| Median (50th) | $239,200 |
| 75th percentile | $239,200 |
| 90th percentile | $239,200 |
Surgeon Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median 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 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Surgeons
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 level | Estimated 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+ |
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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SOC: 29-1249.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.