Should I Choose General Surgery?
Real decision-making data from 63 verified General Surgery physicians. Here is what they actually think.
The Verdict
An overwhelming 93% of General Surgery physicians say they would choose the specialty again -- a strong endorsement.
What Physicians Love About General Surgery
“Best part is research, teaching, clinic variety”— General Surgery Physician
“I love my job and helping people, It’s great. ”— General Surgery Physician
“I do 75% bariatrics which adds significant compensation and complexity, these patients are also the most thankful and happy patients ”— General Surgery Physician
What to Watch Out For in General Surgery
“Call is brutal and we're overworked. Private practice so health insurance/retirement etc all comes out of our compensation.”— General Surgery Physician
Work-Life Balance Reality in General Surgery
“Long hours, frequent call, but very rewarding and satisfying work.”— General Surgery Resident
“Program adheres strictly to duty hour rules and we do not have any rotations with “in house” 24 hour call. We take a lot of home call but it still follows hour restrictions.”— General Surgery Resident
“2-3 weekend calls/month 3 weeks PTO”— General Surgery Resident
How General Surgery Compares
See how General Surgery stacks up against other popular specialties.
| Specialty | Satisfaction | Would Choose Again |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is General Surgery worth it?
Based on 63 verified physician responses, General Surgery physicians report 3.8/5 average satisfaction and 93% say they would choose the specialty again. Average total compensation is $264K. Whether it is worth it depends on your priorities, but the data suggests most physicians are satisfied with their choice.
What's the work-life balance like in General Surgery?
General Surgery physicians work an average of 83 hours per week. One physician shared: "Long hours, frequent call, but very rewarding and satisfying work."
How much do General Surgery physicians make?
Based on SalaryDr data, General Surgery physicians earn an average total compensation of $264K. With an average of 83 hours per week, that translates to roughly $61/hour.
Still deciding? Hear from more General Surgery physicians
Explore detailed lifestyle insights or contribute your own experience to help others make their decision.