Key Takeaways
- General surgeons earn $317,613–$464,071 annually, influenced by experience and location.
- Top-paying states include Alaska, Oregon, and Massachusetts; cities like Dimondale excel.
- Higher income comes from private practice, subspecialties, or hiring physician assistants.
- Negotiating contracts and securing bonuses significantly boost a surgeon’s earning potential.
General surgeons can earn as much as $423,000 a year.
While surgeons are stereotypically one of the best-paid specialties in medicine and even wider, there appears to be some discontentment with the rate of general surgeons’ salaries.
According to Medscape, only 52% of general surgeons feel they are paid a fair wage. The other 48% believe they should be paid more.
Why do some general surgeons earn more than others? Can a surgeon take steps to increase his income potential?
This article will answer those questions and more.
Table of Contents
What Does the Average General Surgeon Earn?
According to Medscape, the average value of general surgeon salaries is $423,000 per year.
Salary.com reports a slightly higher median salary of $442,000 per year.
Payscale lists the average base salary for general surgeon jobs as $317,613, which is the lowest reported salary of all sources.
The Economic Research Institute’s compensation data shows $431,845 as the average annual salary.
The source that lists the highest annual general surgeon compensation in their salary report is Doximity. According to their survey, the average salary for a general surgeon is $464,071 per year.
Factors That Affect a General Surgeon’s Salary
Apart from possible research biases and errors in salary data, there are objective factors that can greatly affect the expected salary of a general surgeon. Let’s discuss them.
Years of Experience
Before a surgeon begins to practice, they earn a small salary from residency. According to Medscape, the average surgeon’s residency salary is $64,200 per year.
After each year of residency is completed, the annual salary increases slightly, according to Medscape’s report.
According to Payscale, an entry-level surgeon fresh out of residency can expect to earn around $281,000. That number begins to increase dramatically after that.
This same source shows that a general surgeon’s pay increases to an average of $348,000 during the first decade, and that pattern continues with each 5-10 years of work experience.
Location
The location where a surgeon lives and works also affects how much they can expect to earn.
When considering where to practice, a general surgeon should take into account the cost of living and the demand for their skills in the area.
Of course, there are always states that pay higher than the national average.
According to ZipRecruiter, here are the top-paying states for the job title of general surgeon:
- Alaska: $307,539
- Oregon: $306,905
- Massachusetts: $306,253
According to this source, the best-paying cities for general surgeons are Dimondale, MI ($408,490) and Lake Marcel-Stillwater, WA ($392,460).
Additional Ways to Increase Your Salary as a General Surgeon
Certain business moves can help a surgeon earn a higher hourly wage.
Here are some examples:
Start Your Own Practice
The most common way for a physician to increase their annual income is to go into private practice. This move is bold and needs some finesse, but if you want to take the plunge, our experts can help you start your own private practice.
Buy Real Estate
If and when you open your own practice, invest in a good piece of real estate that will provide you with your own office space instead of renting it.
You can then make passive income by renting out the extra office spaces in this building.
Hire Assistants
Consider hiring physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) to care for less intensive tasks so that you can see more patients and focus on the surgical aspects of your business.
Develop a Subspecialty
It is always good to develop a niche or subspecialize and learn new procedures. If you are the only surgeon in the area who knows a certain procedure, you will be the go-to doctor for patients requiring it.
Strive for Bonuses
Surgeons in employment should always take advantage of any bonuses. According to Medscape, general surgeons make an average of $75,000 a year in bonuses.
Of course, you can also try to increase the bonuses you receive when signing your employment contract.
Learn how to ask for signing bonuses here: How to Ask For a Signing Bonus.
Get Certifications
Board-certified surgeons may earn more, since getting certified requires ongoing education and shows a commitment to the specialty.
Work Locum Tenens
Physicians in many subspecialties have found that they can earn more money working as locum tenens physicians. Read more about this career option here: The Pros and Cons of Physician Locum Tenens.
How to Negotiate Your General Surgery Employment Contract
The very best way to increase your income is to negotiate a higher salary in your employment contract. No matter how much you think you are worth, you won’t see any fruit of that unless you play your cards right.
Many physicians feel intimidated by the thought of negotiating their employment contracts. It just isn’t something they learned how to do in medical school.
However, a well-negotiated employment contract can do more than just increase your income—it can also determine your expected duties, benefits, and any included restricted covenants.
Once you feel like you may have come to a happy compromise, it would be wise to have your contract reviewed before you legally bind yourself to it. Our contract review team can help with this.
Contact Physicians Thrive to learn more about how you can make the highest salary and other strategies to maximize your earnings throughout your career.
