Source: SalaryDr Orthopedic Surgery Resident Student Loan Data (2026). Median debt: $225,000. Median salary: $75,000. Debt-to-income: 3.00x. Sample: 13 approved salary reports. Attending median salary: $725,000. URL: https://www.salarydr.com/residency-salary/student-loans/orthopedic-surgery
Orthopedic Surgery Resident Student Loan Debt (2026)
The median orthopedic surgery resident carries $225,000 in student loan debt, with a median residency salary of $75,000 (3.00x debt-to-income ratio). Based on a median attending salary of $725,000, estimated payoff is approximately 2 years after training.
Source: SalaryDr self-reported data (13 submissions) • Updated Oct 2026
Orthopedic Surgery Student Loan Debt by PGY Level
Reported student loan balances by postgraduate year level. Since debt is accumulated before residency, this primarily reflects the composition of respondents at each PGY level.
| PGY Level | Median Debt | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| PGY-1 | $190,000 | 9 |
Orthopedic Surgery Student Loan Payoff Projection
Estimated time to pay off student loans after completing orthopedic surgery training, based on attending salary data from SalaryDr.
Based on the median attending orthopedic surgery salary of $725,000, a physician allocating 20% of gross income ($145,000/year) to loan repayment could pay off $225,000 in student loans in approximately 2 years at 6% annual interest.
Assumes 20% of gross attending income allocated to repayment at 6% annual interest. Actual results vary based on repayment strategy, interest rate, tax situation, and lifestyle.
FAQ: Orthopedic Surgery Student Loan Debt
How much student loan debt do orthopedic surgery residents carry?
Based on 13 approved salary reports on SalaryDr, the median orthopedic surgery resident carries $225,000 in student loan debt. With a median residency salary of $75,000, the debt-to-income ratio is 3.00x.
How long does it take a orthopedic surgery physician to pay off student loans?
Based on a median attending orthopedic surgery salary of $725,000 and median debt of $225,000, a orthopedic surgery physician allocating 20% of gross income to loan repayment could pay off their loans in approximately 2 years at 6% interest.
Should orthopedic surgery residents pursue PSLF?
PSLF may be a good option for orthopedic surgery residents training at nonprofit or government hospitals. Residency years count toward the 120 qualifying payments. This is especially valuable if you plan to work at a qualifying employer after training.
Does orthopedic surgery residency length affect total debt burden?
While the loan principal is the same regardless of residency length, longer training programs mean more years of interest accruing at resident-level income. During residency, income-driven repayment plan payments typically do not cover accruing interest, so total debt may grow during training.
Student Loan Data for Other Specialties
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