10 Highest Paying Careers for Surgeons and Surgical Specialists

Choosing a career as a surgeon is like jumping into a world of skills, knowledge, and, most importantly, satisfaction. Surgeons and surgical specialists are like heroes in the medical world, healing and saving lives. Besides the feel-good part of helping people, these jobs also come with big paychecks. 

In this article, we’ll check out the ten highest-paying careers for surgeons and surgical specialists, exploring the paths that not only let you make a difference but also bring in some serious cash in the medical field.

Neurosurgery

• National Average: equal to or greater than $195,37 per hour or $406,380 per year
• Top Paying Industry: Outpatient Care Centers, Specialized hospitals, and private practice settings also tend to offer competitive compensation for neurosurgeons.
• Minimum Education: Doctoral Degree
• Licensing Requirements: Eighty-four months of neurosurgical residency training in ACGME-accredited programs under the direction of a neurosurgical program director
• Projected Growth Rate: 3% from 2022 to 2032 

Neurosurgery is a medical specialty that aims at solving issues within the brain and central nervous system. Brain issues are repaired by neurosurgeons using skill in precision, hence being an effective and major discipline of Medicine. It is a career where everything matters, and handling scalpels brings out the magic of saving lives, as people would experience firsthand.

Thoracic Surgery

• National Average: $529,846; typically falls between $426,031 and $663,675
• Top Paying Industry: Specialized hospitals, surgical centers, and academic medical institutions
• Minimum Education: Doctoral Degree
• Licensing Requirements: A specialty residency is required. Students must also pass the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) exams.
• Projected Growth Rate: 3% from 2022 to 2032

Thoracic surgery is a field of medicine specializing in surgeries that take place within the thorax, including those involving the heart, lungs, and esophagus.

Thoracic surgeons are very qualified individuals. They perform intricate surgical operations that seek to restore normal functioning and also alleviate many cases of disorders linked with the thoracic region in general among patients. 

Plastic Surgery

• National Average: $433,338 (typically between $362,259 and $537,719)
• Top Paying Industry: Specialized hospitals, surgical centers, and academic medical institutions
• Minimum Education: Doctoral Degree
• Licensing Requirements: State licensure is required for all plastic surgeons. Aspiring plastic surgeons take the first two steps of the USMLE during and after med school and the final step during their residency. They must pass all three steps and complete the residency to earn a license.
• Projected Growth Rate: 7% from 2018-2028

The primary focus of plastic surgery is to improve how a person feels and looks. These surgeons improve appearances and correct numerous body parts, from facelifts to reconstructive surgery for accidents or illnesses. The goals are to increase the self-confidence of patients as well as physical health, treat aesthetic problems, or restore any defects inflicted by diseases.

Oral and Maxillofacial

• National Average: median salary of $239,200 in 2022. The best-paid 25% made $239,200 that year, while the lowest-paid 25% made $212,250
• Top Paying Industry: Hospitals, outpatient care centers, and private practice
• Minimum Education:
  • Two- to four-year undergraduate study (BS, BA, or equivalent degrees) 
  • Four-year dental study (BDent, DMD, DDS, or BDS)
  • Four- to six-year residency training (the six-year training includes two years for obtaining a Medical degree)
• Licensing Requirements: Licensing requirements vary by state and typically involve completing dental education, residency training, and passing the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) or a similar state examination.
• Projected Growth Rate: 3% from 2022 to 2032 

Surgeons skilled in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery tackle complex issues beyond the mouth; they are akin to dental professionals who obtained advanced education in Dentistry practice. These experts merge their deep knowledge of facial structures with cutting-edge surgical tech as they are equipped with masters in surgical technology.

Their mission is to enhance your smile and overall facial health. Such specialists restore function and bolster aesthetics—revitalizing patients’ lives. 

Vascular Surgery

• National Average: $443,424; range typically falls between $376,069 and $519,416
• Top Paying Industry: Hospitals, outpatient care centers, and private practice
• Minimum Education: Doctoral Degree
• Licensing Requirements: United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). Obtain a board certification in vascular surgery (recommended). Obtain a state medical license.
• Projected Growth Rate: 3% from 2022 to 2032 

Vascular surgery is similar to receiving skilled care for your body’s blood vessels. Specialists in artery, vein, and lymphatic vessel problems diagnose, treat, and operate on patients in this field. These are known as vascular surgeons. In an effort to improve blood circulation and general health, they treat blockages, aneurysms, and other issues. It all comes down to making sure the pathways in your body are clear and in good working order.

Otolaryngology (ENT)

• National Average: $412,528; range typically falls between $350,008 and $479,950
• Top Paying Industry: private practice, hospitals, and academic medical institutions.
• Minimum Education: Doctoral Degree
• Licensing Requirements: full certification from the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto)
• Projected Growth Rate: 7% from 2018 to 2028

ENT experts focus on ear, nose, and throat woes—neck care falls within their scope as well. With adept hands in both Medicine and surgery, they may work alongside audiologists who tackle hearing ailments such as muffled hearing or blocked sinuses. They also treat vocal disorders and many other issues that can cause poor performance of functions related to aesthetic quality.

General Surgery

• National Average: $433,400; range typically falls between $366,500 and $514,400
• Top Paying Industry: specialty hospitals, outpatient care centers, and private practice
• Minimum Education: Doctoral Degree
• Licensing Requirements: Should be ABS certified and have a current license to practice Medicine, and must have completed five years of residency training, with each year including at least 48 weeks of full-time experience.
• Projected Growth Rate: 3% from 2022 to 2032 

General surgery has different types of surgeries on various parts of the body. Working with professionals in the healthcare industry, they offer perforation therapies such as appendicitis, hernias, and also cancers that make use of emergency operations provided in the framework of integrated clinical care offered by many professionals, making it essential to consider excellent graduate programs for surgeons.

Colorectal (Colon & Rectal) Surgery

• National Average: $349,526; range typically falls between $295,585 and $414,833
• Top Paying Industry: Hospitals, Surgical Centers, and Private Practice
• Minimum Education: Doctoral Degree
• Licensing Requirements: A medical degree is needed, followed by a general surgery residency and a colorectal surgery fellowship. Licensing requires passing the USMLE or a state exam, and obtaining board certification from the ABCRS is encouraged to demonstrate expertise.
• Projected Growth Rate: 7% from 2018 to 2028

Colorectal surgery is an advanced field on the pathologies associated with the colon, rectum and anal area. Colon surgeons, who are also referred to as proctologists, can alleviate complications in colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and hemorrhoids through surgery. Their efforts are carefully aligned towards improving the health and functionality of the digestive system for overall wellness.

Surgical Oncology

• National Average: $284,293 yearly or $136.68 per hour
• Top Paying Industry: Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing   
• Minimum Education: Doctoral Degree 
• Licensing Requirements: Obtain board certification in general surgery through the American Board of Surgery (ABS) and a state medical license, which may involve passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX).
• Projected Growth Rate: 7% from 2018-2028

Surgical oncology includes the specific identification of cancer, surgical removal and biopsies, lymph node dissection reconstruction surgery, palliative procedures, teamwork with specialists, post-surgical care involvement in clinical research, and patient education.

Orthopedic Surgery

• National Average: $159,493 annually
• Top Paying Industry: specialty hospitals, outpatient care centers, and private practice
• Minimum Education: Doctoral Degree
• Licensing Requirements: requires passing the USMLE or a state exam. Obtaining board certification from the ABOS is encouraged to demonstrate expertise in the field.
• Projected Growth Rate: 7% from 2018-2028

Orthopedic surgery is a branch of the medical profession that concerns itself with muscle and also skeletal structure disorders in the diagnosis and surgical interventions. Think of it as an art of reconstructing defects like fractures, joint ailments, and also degenerative diseases affecting the internal structure of the body.

Orthopedic surgeons perform surgical operations that help eliminate disorders of the musculoskeletal system, such as fractures, joint malformations, and degenerative diseases, to restore movement.