Average General Surgeon Salary in California
As of July 31, 2025, a General Surgeon in California earns approximately $610,000 per year ($50,833 monthly). Based on an average 57-hour work week, this translates to about $195 per hour.
How Much Do General Surgeons Make in California?
From 22 verified physician salary submissions in California, SalaryDr is seeing total compensation ranging from $495,000 to $610,000, with top performers (90th percentile) earning up to $750,000 annually. Compared to the national median of $610,000, General Surgeon salaries in California are in line with the national median.
Bonuses, Hours Worked, and Job Satisfaction
In California, the salary progression for general surgeon physicians shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $542,143, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $590,000 - a 9% increase.
Local Practice Settings and Employers
On average, base salary accounts for 83% of total compensation—about $479,591—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.
Work-Life Balance in California
Local general surgeon physicians report 4.5/5 career satisfaction, with 82% of those surveyed saying they would choose this specialty again.
Salary Distribution
Distribution based on 22 verified physician salary submissions.
Median Salary: $610,000
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
$574,773
Median Salary
$610,000
Salary Range
$495,000 - $610,000
National Comparison
National Average
$574,773
Difference
+0% vs National Average
Sample Size
22 local / 22 national reports
Salary by Practice Type
| Practice Type | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| Private Practice | $614,444 | 9 submissions |
| Hospital-employed | $565,455 | 11 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 | $400,000 | 1 submissions |
| 3-5 years | $462,500 | 2 submissions |
| 6-10 years | $573,333 | 3 submissions |
| 11-15 years | $600,000 | 16 submissions |
* Experience levels with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Take-Home Pay Calculator
Subspecialty Comparison
Trauma
Vascular
Breast
Surgical Oncology
Colorectal
Minimally Invasive
| Subspecialty | Average Salary | Sample Size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trauma | $624,000 | 17 submissions | Provides emergency surgical care for critically injured patients, specializing in acute care surgery and critical care management. Trauma surgeons work in Level I and II trauma centers. |
| Vascular | $607,739 | 8 submissions | Treats diseases of blood vessels, including complex arterial reconstructions, aneurysm repairs, and minimally invasive endovascular procedures. |
| Breast | $594,327 | 13 submissions | Specializes in comprehensive breast care, including cancer surgery, oncoplastic techniques, and collaboration with plastic surgery for reconstruction. |
| Surgical Oncology | $567,500 | 4 submissions | Specializes in the surgical management of complex cancers, working within multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive cancer care. |
| Colorectal | $566,966 | 21 submissions | Focuses on disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus, performing both routine and complex procedures for cancer, IBD, and functional disorders. |
| Minimally Invasive | $503,929 | 14 submissions | Utilizes advanced laparoscopic and robotic techniques to perform surgeries through tiny incisions, reducing recovery time and complications. |
* Subspecialties with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
* Data is aggregated from verified physician submissions.
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.
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About Our Data
Our salary data is based on anonymous submissions from practicing physicians across the United States. We verify and clean the data to ensure accuracy and remove outliers.
Last updated: July 31, 2025