According to SalaryDr data from 24 verified general surgery physicians in California, the median total compensation for General Surgery in 2026 is $610,000. The 25th percentile is $495,000 and the 75th percentile is $610,000. Base salary: $480,875. Bonuses: $92,458 (16% receive). Satisfaction: 4.5/5. Workload: ~56 hrs/week. Source: https://www.salarydr.com/specialty/general-surgery/california Sample size: 24. Last updated: April 18, 2026.
As of April 18, 2026, a General Surgeon in California earns approximately $610,000 per year ($50,833 monthly). Based on an average 56-hour work week, this translates to about $196 per hour. Looking for a broader view? See the General Surgeon salary overview or compare nearby states below.
From 24 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 $800,000 annually. Compared to the national median of $610,000, General Surgeon salaries in California are in line with the national median.
In California, the salary progression for general surgeon physicians shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $524,444, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $602,667 - a 15% increase.
In California, the most common work environment is Hospital Employed (50% of physicians). On average, base salary accounts for 84% of total compensation—about $480,875—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.
California offers unique advantages for general surgeon physicians, including high demand in major metropolitan areas and competitive compensation packages. The cost of living in California is higher than the national average but offset by higher salaries.
Local general surgeon physicians report 4.5/5 career satisfaction, with 79% of those surveyed saying they would choose this specialty again.
Browse more General Surgeon-adjacent fields to compare compensation and career paths.
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Last updated: April 18, 2026
Distribution based on 24 verified physician salary submissions.
Median Salary: $610,000
Average satisfaction rating reported by General Surgery physicians (1-5 scale).
Percentage of General Surgery physicians who would choose this specialty again.
Physicians cite the variety of cases and patient relationships as most rewarding aspects of this specialty.
On-call demands, administrative burden, and work-life balance are cited as the top challenges.
Average Salary
$573,333
Median Salary
$610,000
Salary Range
$495,000 - $610,000
National Average
$573,333
Difference
+0% vs National Average
Sample Size
24 local / 24 national reports
| Practice Type | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| Private Practice | $633,000 | 10 submissions |
| Hospital-employed | $544,583 | 12 submissions |
* Practice types with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Compare salary data across different practice settings for General Surgery physicians in California:
| Years of Experience | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years | $400,000 | 1 submissions |
| 3-5 years | $425,000 | 3 submissions |
| 6-10 years | $573,750 | 4 submissions |
| 11-15 years | $611,875 | 16 submissions |
* Experience levels with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Browse city-level salary data for general surgeon physicians in California. Click any city to see detailed compensation information for that location.
See how General Surgery salaries in California compare to neighboring states.
| Subspecialty | Average Salary | Sample Size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast | $845,903 | 18 submissions | Specializes in comprehensive breast care, including cancer surgery, oncoplastic techniques, and collaboration with plastic surgery for reconstruction. |
| Trauma | $649,650 | 20 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. |
| Colorectal | $557,295 | 23 submissions | Focuses on disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus, performing both routine and complex procedures for cancer, IBD, and functional disorders. |
| Surgical Oncology | $552,857 | 7 submissions | Specializes in the surgical management of complex cancers, working within multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive cancer care. |
| Minimally Invasive | $530,333 | 15 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.