Last updated: August 26, 2025

General Surgery Salary Data

Median Salary

$575,000

Average Salary

$594,481

Based on 104 physician salaries

Salary Range

Minimum$490,000
Maximum$2,500,000

Percentiles

25th$490,000
75th$620,000

Breakdown

Monthly$47,917
Hourly$276

How much does a General Surgeon make?

As of August 26, 2025, a General Surgeon earns approximately $575,000 per year ($47,917 monthly). Based on an average 56-hour work week, this translates to about $203 per hour.

Explore General Surgery salaries by location: California, Texas, New York, or view all General Surgery locations.

Salary Range and Market Analysis

From 104 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 $533,566, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $644,710 – a 21% increase.

Practice Settings and Compensation Structure

On average, base salary accounts for 84% of total compensation—about $500,412—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 80% saying they would choose this specialty again.

Salary Distribution

Distribution based on 104 verified physician salary submissions.

Median Salary: $575,000

Physician Satisfaction in General Surgery

Satisfaction Rating

4.2/5

Average satisfaction rating reported by General Surgery physicians (1-5 scale).

Would Choose Again

79.8%

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

$594,481

Median Salary

$575,000

Salary Range

$490,000 - $620,000

National Comparison

National Average

$594,481

Difference

+0% vs National Average

Sample Size

104 local / 104 national reports

Salary by Practice Type

Private Practice
Average Salary
$643,370
Sample Size
40 submissions
Hospital-employed
Average Salary
$581,921
Sample Size
47 submissions
Academic
Average Salary
$514,176
Sample Size
17 submissions

* Practice types with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.

Salary by Experience Level

0-2 years
Average Salary
$511,833
Sample Size
6 submissions
3-5 years
Average Salary
$534,433
Sample Size
17 submissions
6-10 years
Average Salary
$538,385
Sample Size
24 submissions
11-15 years
Average Salary
$639,063
Sample Size
39 submissions
16+ years
Average Salary
$656,944
Sample Size
18 submissions

* Experience levels with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Total Salary
$575,000
Federal Income Tax
-$171,624
State Income Tax
-$28,750
FICA Tax
-$22,166
Take-Home Pay
$352,461
Monthly
$29,372
Taxes (38.7%)
Take-Home (61.3%)
Based on single filing status in US. Results may vary.

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.

Compare Physician Salaries

Planning your career path? Check out our comprehensive physician salary benchmarks to see how compensation compares across different specialties and regions.

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