Source: SalaryDr General Surgery Residency Salary Data (2026). Median: $71,500/year. Sample: 74 approved salary reports. URL: https://www.salarydr.com/residency-salary/general-surgery
General Surgery Residency Salary (2026)
The median general surgery resident salary is $71,500 per year, based on 74 approved salary reports on SalaryDr. After training, general surgery attendings earn a median of $400,000 — a 5.6x increase.
Source: SalaryDr self-reported data • Updated Nov 2026
General Surgery Resident Salary by PGY Year
How general surgery resident compensation changes by postgraduate year level.
| PGY Level | Median Salary | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| PGY-1 | $70,050 | 42 |
| PGY-2 | $71,000 | 15 |
| PGY-3 | $78,000 | 5 |
| PGY-5 | $79,900 | 8 |
General Surgery Residency Stipends & Benefits
Median annual stipends reported by general surgery residents, in addition to base salary.
General Surgery: Resident vs. Attending Salary
The salary jump from residency to attending is the largest increase in a physician’s career.
General Surgery Resident Salary by State
Top-paying states for general surgery residents based on approved salary reports.
| State | Median Salary | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $75,252 | 6 |
| Texas | $70,100 | 13 |
| Michigan | $62,000 | 5 |
General Surgery Residency Training
Training Length
5 years
Salary Progression
Resident salary increases ~$2,000–$3,000 per PGY year. After completing training, attending general surgery physicians earn a median of $400,000.
Frequently Asked Questions: General Surgery Residency Salary
How much do general surgery residents make in 2026?
General Surgery residents earn a median salary of $71,500 per year based on 74 approved salary reports on SalaryDr. The middle 80% report between $61,300 and $81,700, depending on PGY level and location.
How long is general surgery residency?
General Surgery residency training is 5 years. Salary increases with each year of training, typically by $2,000–$3,000 per PGY level.
How much more do general surgery attendings make compared to residents?
General Surgery attending physicians earn a median of $400,000, which is 5.6x more than the median resident salary of $71,500. This gap represents the largest salary jump in a physician's career.
Are general surgery residents satisfied with their specialty choice?
General Surgery residents rate their career satisfaction at 3.4/5.0 on average. 97% say they would choose general surgery again if given the choice. They work an average of 74 hours per week.
Explore More General Surgery Data
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