Here are five points on the highest and lowest compensating regions of the country for orthopedic surgeons in single-specialty groups, according to data from MGMA's Physician Compensation and Production Survey: 2011 Report Based on 2010 Data.
General orthopedic surgeons: $470,189
The highest compensating region of the country for general orthopedic surgeons in single-specialty groups is the Midwest, where they received $556,342 on average. This $100,000-plus more than what general orthopedic surgeons in single-specialty groups received in the lowest compensating region, the East. General orthopedic surgeons in the East received $441,304 on average. In the Midwest, general orthopedic surgeons in single-specialty groups received more than both upper and lower extremities specialists, although far behind joint replacement and sports medicine physicians.
Foot & ankle: $481,233
As with general orthopedic surgeons, foot and ankle surgeons in single-specialty groups were most highly compensated in the Midwest, receiving $494,457 on average. Even in the Midwest foot and ankle surgeons in single-specialty groups received less than their general orthopedic and hand surgeon counterparts. However, they received significantly more than single-specialty foot and ankle surgeons in the West, who received $423,028 on average last year. The West was the lowest compensating region for foot and ankle surgeons in single-specialty groups.
Hand: $563,319
Breaking with the trend of general orthopedic surgeons and foot and ankle surgeons who were most highly compensated in the Midwest, single-specialty group hand surgeons were most highly compensated in the South, receiving $604,830 on average. In the South, hand surgeons in single-specialty groups received $100,000-plus more than general orthopedic surgeons and foot and ankle surgeons in the same situation. However, all three had more comparable compensation in the lowest compensating region for hand surgeons, the East, where hand surgeons in single-specialty groups received $427,727 on average. The next lowest compensating region for hand surgeons in single-specialty groups reported at least $90,000 more than in the East.
Hip & joint: $598,937
The highest compensating region for joint replacement surgeons in single-specialty groups, the South, represented at least $88,000 more than the average overall compensation for joint replacement surgeons in single-specialty groups. In the South, these surgeons received $687,092 on average. Compared to the compensation of all other orthopedic surgeons in the South, joint replacement surgeons received the highest average amount. However, in the West, joint replacement surgeons in single-specialty groups nearly received the lowest average compensation — beat only by foot and ankle surgeons who received approximately $2,000 less on average. In the West, joint replacement surgeons in a single-specialty group received $424,014, which was also the lowest compensating region for joint replacement surgeons in single-specialty groups.
Sports medicine: $599,788
As with joint replacement surgeons, the South was also the highest compensating region for sports medicine specialists in a single-specialty group. In the South, sports medicine specialists in single-specialty groups received $665,418 on average, which nearly $150,000 more than in the lowest compensating region. The East was the lowest compensating region for sports medicine physicians in single specialty groups, where these physicians received $516,161 on average. However, compared to general orthopedic surgeons and extremities specialists, the lowest compensating region for sports medicine physicians in single-specialty groups was still significantly higher.
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General orthopedic surgeons: $470,189
The highest compensating region of the country for general orthopedic surgeons in single-specialty groups is the Midwest, where they received $556,342 on average. This $100,000-plus more than what general orthopedic surgeons in single-specialty groups received in the lowest compensating region, the East. General orthopedic surgeons in the East received $441,304 on average. In the Midwest, general orthopedic surgeons in single-specialty groups received more than both upper and lower extremities specialists, although far behind joint replacement and sports medicine physicians.
Foot & ankle: $481,233
As with general orthopedic surgeons, foot and ankle surgeons in single-specialty groups were most highly compensated in the Midwest, receiving $494,457 on average. Even in the Midwest foot and ankle surgeons in single-specialty groups received less than their general orthopedic and hand surgeon counterparts. However, they received significantly more than single-specialty foot and ankle surgeons in the West, who received $423,028 on average last year. The West was the lowest compensating region for foot and ankle surgeons in single-specialty groups.
Hand: $563,319
Breaking with the trend of general orthopedic surgeons and foot and ankle surgeons who were most highly compensated in the Midwest, single-specialty group hand surgeons were most highly compensated in the South, receiving $604,830 on average. In the South, hand surgeons in single-specialty groups received $100,000-plus more than general orthopedic surgeons and foot and ankle surgeons in the same situation. However, all three had more comparable compensation in the lowest compensating region for hand surgeons, the East, where hand surgeons in single-specialty groups received $427,727 on average. The next lowest compensating region for hand surgeons in single-specialty groups reported at least $90,000 more than in the East.
Hip & joint: $598,937
The highest compensating region for joint replacement surgeons in single-specialty groups, the South, represented at least $88,000 more than the average overall compensation for joint replacement surgeons in single-specialty groups. In the South, these surgeons received $687,092 on average. Compared to the compensation of all other orthopedic surgeons in the South, joint replacement surgeons received the highest average amount. However, in the West, joint replacement surgeons in single-specialty groups nearly received the lowest average compensation — beat only by foot and ankle surgeons who received approximately $2,000 less on average. In the West, joint replacement surgeons in a single-specialty group received $424,014, which was also the lowest compensating region for joint replacement surgeons in single-specialty groups.
Sports medicine: $599,788
As with joint replacement surgeons, the South was also the highest compensating region for sports medicine specialists in a single-specialty group. In the South, sports medicine specialists in single-specialty groups received $665,418 on average, which nearly $150,000 more than in the lowest compensating region. The East was the lowest compensating region for sports medicine physicians in single specialty groups, where these physicians received $516,161 on average. However, compared to general orthopedic surgeons and extremities specialists, the lowest compensating region for sports medicine physicians in single-specialty groups was still significantly higher.
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