Urology vs General Surgery: Salary, Lifestyle & Training (2026)
Choosing between Urology and General Surgery involves weighing compensation, training length, work-life balance, call responsibilities, and long-term career satisfaction. This comparison uses approved physician salary reports to help you make an informed decision.
See how Urologist salaries, lifestyle metrics, and training requirements compare to General Surgeon data from approved salary reports on SalaryDr. Urology requires 5-6 year residency, while General Surgery requires 5-year residency.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Urology | General Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Median total pay | $590,000 → | $512,500 → |
| Middle 50% of pay | $560,000 – $633,750 | $450,000 – $610,000 |
| Approved reports | 89 | 141 |
| Training Length | 5-6 year residency | 5-year residency |
| Practitioner Title | Urologist | General Surgeon |
| Lifestyle Rating | See details below | See details below |
Salary figures on each specialty page are recomputed from approved physician salary reports as new reports are approved.
Training Pathway: Urology vs General Surgery
Urology
5-6 year residency
Urology residency is five to six years, with an integrated model that includes surgical and medical training from year one. It is a competitive surgical subspecialty with a strong mix of clinic and operating room work.
General Surgery
5-year residency
General Surgery residency is five years of intensive training with significant operative and call responsibilities. Many graduates pursue one- to two-year fellowships in trauma, surgical oncology, minimally invasive surgery, or acute care surgery.
Lifestyle & Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is one of the most important factors physicians weigh when choosing a specialty. Here is how Urology and General Surgery compare on key lifestyle dimensions.
Urology
Good lifestyle for a surgical specialty. Mix of office and OR.
- Average work week: 53 hours
- Take call: 99% of physicians
- Average PTO: 41 days/year
General Surgery
Demanding schedule with significant call responsibilities. Improving with subspecialization.
- Average work week: 55 hours
- Take call: 97% of physicians
- Average PTO: 37 days/year
Satisfaction & Lifestyle by the Numbers
Based on 230 approved physician salary reports across both specialties.
| Metric | Urology | General Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Career Satisfaction | 4.1/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Would Choose Again | 93% | 80% |
| Avg Hours/Week | 53 | 55 |
| Takes Call | 99% | 97% |
| Avg Call Days/Month | — | — |
| Avg PTO Days/Year | 41 | 37 |
| Physician Submissions | 89 submissions | 141 submissions |
Practice Setting Distribution
Where Urology and General Surgery physicians work, based on approved salary reports. Practice setting significantly impacts both compensation and day-to-day lifestyle.
Urology
Based on 89 approved reports
General Surgery
Based on 141 approved reports
Career Outlook & Job Market
Urology Outlook
Urology demand is strong and growing, driven by aging demographics and expanding male health awareness. Robotic surgery proficiency has become a near-universal expectation for new graduates.
General Surgery Outlook
General surgeons remain in steady demand, particularly in community hospitals and rural settings. The trend toward minimally invasive surgery and acute care surgery fellowships has created new career niches.
Compensation Growth Trajectory
Physician salaries in both Urology and General Surgery typically increase with experience, with the largest jumps in the first 5-10 years post-training. Partnership or ownership in private practice can meaningfully accelerate earnings. For detailed breakdowns, explore the Urology and General Surgery salary-by-experience pages.
Explore Deeper Data
Benchmark Reports
Lifestyle & Satisfaction
Is It Worth It?
Training & Residency
Related Comparisons
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