Here are 10 statistics about general orthopedic surgeon compensation based on MGMA's Physician Compensation Survey: 2011 Report Based on 2010 Data.
1. Overall compensation: $539,354
General orthopedic surgeons received approximately $200,000 more than non-surgical orthopedists and about $45,000 more than foot and ankle surgeons. All other subspecialists received higher compensation than general orthopedic surgeons; however pediatric orthopedic surgeons only made about $20,000 more.
2. Single specialty group: $470,189
General orthopedic surgeons in a single specialty group received in excess of $200,000 more than non-surgical orthopedic specialists in the same situation, but less than their counterparts in multispecialty groups. Their compensation was most comparable with foot and ankle surgeons in a single specialty group, who received about $11,000 more than general surgeons.
3. Multispecialty group: $505,366
In a multispecialty group setting, general orthopedic surgeons received more than double the compensation of non-surgical orthopedists, who received approximately $185,000. Their compensation was also higher than hand and foot and ankle specialist, who received between $424,000 and $470,000 in a multispecialty group setting.
4. Employed by hospitals: $526,398
When employed by a hospital, general orthopedic surgeons received more than their counterparts in a non-employed setting. They received about $51,000-$57,000 more than upper and lower extremities specialists. Their compensation was more comparable to that of sports medicine physicians employed by hospitals, who only received about $25,000 more.
5. Practicing in groups: $482,928
General orthopedic surgeons in a private practice received less than their counterparts who were employed by hospitals, but still more than foot and ankle surgeons and non-surgical orthopedists.
6. In the Midwest: $556,342
General orthopedic surgeons received the highest compensation in the Midwest, with the southern region of the country following distantly behind. The lowest compensating region for general orthopedic surgeons was the East, where they received more than $100,000 less than in the Midwest. The Midwest was also the highest compensating region for several subspecialists, including spine surgeons and extremities specialists.
7. After practicing for 3-7 years: $540,200
General orthopedic surgeons who have practiced between three and seven years were the most highly-compensated subgroup among general orthopedic surgeons. After seven years, the compensation dipped slightly and dropped by $85,000 by the time the general orthopedic surgeon had been practicing 18 years or more.
8. Females: $434,216
On average, female general orthopedic surgeons received approximately $63,000 less than their male counterparts. However, they did receive more than female hand specialists, who were the only orthopedic subspecialty to report female surgeon compensation.
9. Partner in a practice: $505,146
When general orthopedic surgeons were a partner or shareholder in their practice, they received about $47,000 more than their non-shareholder counterparts. However, they received less than subspecialists who were partners in a practice, with the closest being foot and ankle surgeons who received about $26,000 more than general orthopedic surgeons.
10. Retirement benefits: $26,792
Retired general orthopedic surgeons receive higher benefits than non-surgical orthopedists and pediatric orthopedists. Subspecialists received $5,000-$10,000 more than general orthopedic surgeons.
Learn more about MGMA.
Related Articles on Orthopedic Surgeon Compensation:
16 Benchmarks for Orthopedists on Highest and Lowest Compensating Regions
Spine vs. Neurosurgeon Compensation: 5 Points on Who Received More
Highest and Lowest Compensated Orthopedists in 2010: 5 Things to Know
General orthopedic surgeons received approximately $200,000 more than non-surgical orthopedists and about $45,000 more than foot and ankle surgeons. All other subspecialists received higher compensation than general orthopedic surgeons; however pediatric orthopedic surgeons only made about $20,000 more.
2. Single specialty group: $470,189
General orthopedic surgeons in a single specialty group received in excess of $200,000 more than non-surgical orthopedic specialists in the same situation, but less than their counterparts in multispecialty groups. Their compensation was most comparable with foot and ankle surgeons in a single specialty group, who received about $11,000 more than general surgeons.
3. Multispecialty group: $505,366
In a multispecialty group setting, general orthopedic surgeons received more than double the compensation of non-surgical orthopedists, who received approximately $185,000. Their compensation was also higher than hand and foot and ankle specialist, who received between $424,000 and $470,000 in a multispecialty group setting.
4. Employed by hospitals: $526,398
When employed by a hospital, general orthopedic surgeons received more than their counterparts in a non-employed setting. They received about $51,000-$57,000 more than upper and lower extremities specialists. Their compensation was more comparable to that of sports medicine physicians employed by hospitals, who only received about $25,000 more.
5. Practicing in groups: $482,928
General orthopedic surgeons in a private practice received less than their counterparts who were employed by hospitals, but still more than foot and ankle surgeons and non-surgical orthopedists.
6. In the Midwest: $556,342
General orthopedic surgeons received the highest compensation in the Midwest, with the southern region of the country following distantly behind. The lowest compensating region for general orthopedic surgeons was the East, where they received more than $100,000 less than in the Midwest. The Midwest was also the highest compensating region for several subspecialists, including spine surgeons and extremities specialists.
7. After practicing for 3-7 years: $540,200
General orthopedic surgeons who have practiced between three and seven years were the most highly-compensated subgroup among general orthopedic surgeons. After seven years, the compensation dipped slightly and dropped by $85,000 by the time the general orthopedic surgeon had been practicing 18 years or more.
8. Females: $434,216
On average, female general orthopedic surgeons received approximately $63,000 less than their male counterparts. However, they did receive more than female hand specialists, who were the only orthopedic subspecialty to report female surgeon compensation.
9. Partner in a practice: $505,146
When general orthopedic surgeons were a partner or shareholder in their practice, they received about $47,000 more than their non-shareholder counterparts. However, they received less than subspecialists who were partners in a practice, with the closest being foot and ankle surgeons who received about $26,000 more than general orthopedic surgeons.
10. Retirement benefits: $26,792
Retired general orthopedic surgeons receive higher benefits than non-surgical orthopedists and pediatric orthopedists. Subspecialists received $5,000-$10,000 more than general orthopedic surgeons.
Learn more about MGMA.
Related Articles on Orthopedic Surgeon Compensation:
16 Benchmarks for Orthopedists on Highest and Lowest Compensating Regions
Spine vs. Neurosurgeon Compensation: 5 Points on Who Received More
Highest and Lowest Compensated Orthopedists in 2010: 5 Things to Know