The following data on the most and least profitable practice settings for orthopedic surgeons is based on MGMA's Physician Compensation and Production Survey: 2011 Report Based on 2010 Data.
Single vs. multispecialty practices
Orthopedic spine surgeons and general orthopedic surgeons were more highly compensated in multispecialty practices than single specialty practice settings. Sports medicine, upper and lower extremities specialists, trauma surgeons, joint replacement and orthopedic pediatric surgeons received higher compensation in the single specialty practice setting. The gaps between the two settings reached as much as approximately $100,000 for trauma, spine and upper extremity surgeons, and as little as $16,000 for joint replacement specialists.
Overall, the most highly compensated surgeons in the multispecialty practice were the spine surgeons ($729,917) and sports medicine physicians ($550,000). In the single specialty setting, trauma surgeons were the highest compensated ($636,636), followed by spine surgeons ($627,340).
Hospital employment vs. private practice
Sports medicine, spine, pediatric, upper extremity and general orthopedic surgeons received higher compensation when they were in a private practice setting. Trauma specialists and lower extremity surgeons received more when they were employed by a hospital. Upper extremity specialists earned about the same, approximately $589,200, in both settings. The largest gap occurred among pediatric surgeons, who received about $110,000 more when they were in a practice setting ($600,465) as opposed to a hospital setting ($489,500). The gaps in compensation for other orthopedic surgeons generally equaled $30,000-$40,000.
Overall, the highest compensated subspecialty employed by hospitals was by far spine surgeons at $714,088, followed by joint replacement surgeons at $589,267. The highest compensating subspecialists in the private practice setting were spine and pediatric orthopedic surgeons at $633,392 and $600,465 respectively.
Region of the country
General orthopedic surgeons, lower extremity specialists and spine surgeons all received highest compensation in the Midwest. Upper extremity, joint replacement and sports medicine physicians received the highest compensation in the Southern part of the country. The coasts compensated low for orthopedic surgeons, with the lowest being foot and ankle surgeons in the West, who received $423,028. The highest compensated surgeons in the West were trauma surgeons, who received $581,706.
In the East and Midwest, the highest compensated surgeons were spine surgeons, who received $573,521 and $777,988 respectively. In the south, the highest compensated orthopedic surgeons were joint replacement specialists, at $687,092.
Learn more about MGMA.
Related Articles on Physician Compensation:
16 Benchmarks for Orthopedists on Highest and Lowest Compensating Regions
Spine vs. Neurosurgeon Compensation: 5 Points on Who Received More in 2010
12 Statistics on Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon Compensation by Employment Status
Orthopedic spine surgeons and general orthopedic surgeons were more highly compensated in multispecialty practices than single specialty practice settings. Sports medicine, upper and lower extremities specialists, trauma surgeons, joint replacement and orthopedic pediatric surgeons received higher compensation in the single specialty practice setting. The gaps between the two settings reached as much as approximately $100,000 for trauma, spine and upper extremity surgeons, and as little as $16,000 for joint replacement specialists.
Overall, the most highly compensated surgeons in the multispecialty practice were the spine surgeons ($729,917) and sports medicine physicians ($550,000). In the single specialty setting, trauma surgeons were the highest compensated ($636,636), followed by spine surgeons ($627,340).
Hospital employment vs. private practice
Sports medicine, spine, pediatric, upper extremity and general orthopedic surgeons received higher compensation when they were in a private practice setting. Trauma specialists and lower extremity surgeons received more when they were employed by a hospital. Upper extremity specialists earned about the same, approximately $589,200, in both settings. The largest gap occurred among pediatric surgeons, who received about $110,000 more when they were in a practice setting ($600,465) as opposed to a hospital setting ($489,500). The gaps in compensation for other orthopedic surgeons generally equaled $30,000-$40,000.
Overall, the highest compensated subspecialty employed by hospitals was by far spine surgeons at $714,088, followed by joint replacement surgeons at $589,267. The highest compensating subspecialists in the private practice setting were spine and pediatric orthopedic surgeons at $633,392 and $600,465 respectively.
Region of the country
General orthopedic surgeons, lower extremity specialists and spine surgeons all received highest compensation in the Midwest. Upper extremity, joint replacement and sports medicine physicians received the highest compensation in the Southern part of the country. The coasts compensated low for orthopedic surgeons, with the lowest being foot and ankle surgeons in the West, who received $423,028. The highest compensated surgeons in the West were trauma surgeons, who received $581,706.
In the East and Midwest, the highest compensated surgeons were spine surgeons, who received $573,521 and $777,988 respectively. In the south, the highest compensated orthopedic surgeons were joint replacement specialists, at $687,092.
Learn more about MGMA.
Related Articles on Physician Compensation:
16 Benchmarks for Orthopedists on Highest and Lowest Compensating Regions
Spine vs. Neurosurgeon Compensation: 5 Points on Who Received More in 2010
12 Statistics on Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon Compensation by Employment Status