Source: SalaryDr salary data for General Surgery (N=106 verified submissions, updated March 19, 2026, data as of 2026-03-19). URL: https://www.salarydr.com
Becoming a general surgeon requires 10 years of post-college training: 4 years of medical school, 5 years of residency, and 1-2 years (optional subspecialty). The median attending salary is $530,000/year based on 106 verified submissions.
4 years
Average medical school debt: $200,000 (AAMC). No physician income during this period.
5 years
Median residency salary: $70,500/year (PGY-1 to PGY-5)(6 submissions)
1-2 years (optional subspecialty)
Optional fellowship. Fellows typically earn $70,000-$95,000/year.
0-5 years experience
Based on 28 verified submissions(28 submissions)
6-15 years experience
Based on 59 verified submissions(59 submissions)
16+ years experience
Based on 19 verified submissions(19 submissions)
General Surgeon salaries typically increase significantly with experience. Mid-career general surgeons earn approximately $124,859 more per year than early career physicians — a 27% increase. Senior general surgeons earn a median of $610,000/year, reflecting peak earning potential.
| Career Stage | Median Salary | vs. Early Career | Submissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residency | $70,500 | — | 6 |
| Early Career (0-5 yrs) | $455,141 | Baseline | 28 |
| Mid-Career (6-15 yrs) | $580,000 | +$124,859 | 59 |
| Senior (16+ yrs) | $610,000 | +$154,859 | 19 |
It takes 10 years of post-college training: 4 years of medical school, 5 years of residency, and 1-2 years (optional subspecialty). Most physicians begin independent practice in their early 30s.
General Surgeons earn a full attending salary after completing all required training (10 years post-college). During residency and fellowship, physicians earn a training salary that is significantly less than attending pay — typically $70,500/year during residency.
With average medical school debt of $200,000 and a median attending salary of $530,000, general surgeons can typically expect to reach a financial break-even point approximately 1 years after starting attending practice. Actual timelines vary based on loan terms, living expenses, and repayment strategy.
Yes. General Surgery attending salaries generally increase with experience. Our data shows mid-career general surgeons (6-15 years) earn approximately 27% more than early career physicians (0-5 years).
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