What it is
Orthopedic surgeons treat the musculoskeletal system — bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles — through surgery and non-surgical care, from fractures to joint replacement and sports injuries.
What you do
They repair fractures, replace joints, reconstruct ligaments, and treat spine and sports injuries, plus non-operative musculoskeletal care.
Training path & length
5-year residency, with common fellowships.
Fellowship subspecialties
Fellowships include sports medicine, spine, hand, joint replacement (arthroplasty), trauma, foot & ankle, and pediatric orthopedics.
Pay & job outlook
Physicians are among the highest-paid professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median wage of $275,930 for physicians and surgeons (May 2025), with employment projected to grow about 4% from 2025 to 2035 and ~22,100 openings per year. Pay varies widely by specialty — procedural and surgical fields generally earn more, primary-care and pediatric fields less.
Per BLS, orthopedic surgeons have a median around $373,570 — among the highest-paid specialties.
How to get there
Become a physician first: earn an MD or DO, then match into this residency through the national match. Licensure requires completing residency and passing the board exams.
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Key facts
- Residency5 years
- FocusBones, joints, and musculoskeletal surgery
- FellowshipsSports, spine, hand, arthroplasty, trauma
- Pay~$373,570 median (BLS)
- EntryMD or DO via the match