General Surgery Salary Data
Median Salary
$550,000
Average Salary
$592,662
Salary Range
Percentiles
Breakdown
How much does a General Surgeon make?
As of July 12, 2025, a General Surgeon earns approximately $550,000 per year ($45,833 monthly). Based on an average 56-hour work week, this translates to about $203 per hour.
Salary Range and Market Analysis
From 102 verified physician salary submissions across the United States, SalaryDr is seeing total compensation ranging from $490,000 to $620,000, with top performers (90th percentile) earning up to $2,500,000 annually. Compared to the median physician salary of $300,000, General Surgeon salaries are above the national median.
Career Growth and Employment Trends
The salary progression for General Surgeon shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $525,491, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $643,619 – a 22% increase.
Practice Settings and Compensation Structure
On average, base salary accounts for 85% of total compensation—about $500,817—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.
Work-Life Balance and Career Satisfaction
General Surgery physicians report high career satisfaction, rating their specialty 4.2 out of 5, with 79% saying they would choose this specialty again.
Salary Distribution
Distribution based on 102 verified physician salary submissions.
Median Salary: $550,000
Physician Satisfaction in General Surgery
Satisfaction Rating
Average satisfaction rating reported by General Surgery physicians (1-5 scale).
Would Choose Again
Percentage of General Surgery physicians who would choose this specialty again.
Career Satisfaction
Physicians cite the variety of cases and patient relationships as most rewarding aspects of this specialty.
Primary Challenges
On-call demands, administrative burden, and work-life balance are cited as the top challenges.
Salary Comparison
Location Statistics
Average Salary
$592,662
Median Salary
$550,000
Salary Range
$490,000 - $620,000
National Comparison
National Average
$592,662
Difference
+0% vs National Average
Sample Size
102 local / 102 national reports
Salary by Practice Type
| Practice Type | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| Private Practice | $643,237 | 39 submissions |
| Hospital-employed | $574,687 | 47 submissions |
| Academic | $522,188 | 16 submissions |
* Practice types with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Salary by Experience Level
| Years of Experience | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years | $537,000 | 5 submissions |
| 3-5 years | $504,668 | 14 submissions |
| 6-10 years | $534,850 | 25 submissions |
| 11-15 years | $638,814 | 38 submissions |
| 16+ years | $652,750 | 20 submissions |
* Experience levels with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Take-Home Pay Calculator
Popular Locations
New York City, NY
Average Salary: $400,000
Based on 150 reports
Los Angeles, CA
Average Salary: $380,000
Based on 120 reports
Chicago, IL
Average Salary: $350,000
Based on 100 reports
Houston, TX
Average Salary: $340,000
Based on 90 reports
Miami, FL
Average Salary: $360,000
Based on 80 reports
Boston, MA
Average Salary: $370,000
Based on 70 reports
* Showing locations with the most reported salaries.
* Some locations may be omitted if they have fewer than 3 reports.
Frequently Asked Questions About General Surgery Salaries
What factors influence General Surgeon salaries?
General Surgeon salaries are influenced by geographic location, years of experience, practice setting (hospital vs. private practice), subspecialty training, and local market demand. Academic positions typically offer lower base salaries but may include benefits like research opportunities and protected time.
How do General Surgeon salaries compare to other medical specialties?
General Surgery is considered a high-earning specialty, with median salaries above $400,000 annually.
What is the job outlook for General Surgeon?
The demand for General Surgeon remains strong, driven by an aging population and increased access to healthcare. Job opportunities are expected to grow, particularly in underserved areas and growing metropolitan regions.
See How Residency Salaries Compare
Planning your career path? Check out our comprehensive residency salary benchmarks to see how PGY compensation compares across different specialties and regions.
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