According to SalaryDr data from 14 verified orthopedic surgery physicians in California, the median total compensation for Orthopedic Surgery in 2026 is $732,000. The 25th percentile is $600,000 and the 75th percentile is $810,000. Base salary: $627,643. Bonuses: $66,143 (10% receive). Satisfaction: 3.9/5. Workload: ~56 hrs/week. Source: https://www.salarydr.com/specialty/orthopedic-surgery/california Sample size: 14. Last updated: June 2, 2026.
As of June 2, 2026, an Orthopedic Surgeon in California earns approximately $732,000 per year ($61,000 monthly). Based on an average 56-hour work week, this translates to about $240 per hour. Looking for a broader view? See the Orthopedic Surgeon salary overview or compare nearby states below.
From 14 verified physician salary submissions in California, SalaryDr is seeing total compensation ranging from $600,000 to $810,000, with top performers (90th percentile) earning up to $900,000 annually. Compared to the national median of $732,000, Orthopedic Surgeon salaries in California are in line with the national median.
In California, the salary progression for orthopedic surgeon physicians shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $597,143, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $790,429 - a 32% increase.
In California, the most common work environment is Private Practice (50% of physicians). On average, base salary accounts for 90% of total compensation—about $627,643—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.
California offers unique advantages for orthopedic 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 orthopedic surgeon physicians report 3.9/5 career satisfaction, with 79% of those surveyed saying they would choose this specialty again.
Browse more Orthopedic Surgeon-adjacent fields to compare compensation and career paths.
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Last updated: June 2, 2026
Distribution based on 14 verified physician salary submissions.
Median Salary: $732,000
Average satisfaction rating reported by Orthopedic Surgery physicians (1-5 scale).
Percentage of Orthopedic 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
$693,786
Median Salary
$732,000
Salary Range
$600,000 - $810,000
National Average
$693,786
Difference
+0% vs National Average
Sample Size
14 local / 14 national reports
| Practice Type | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| Private Practice | $801,571 | 7 submissions |
| Hospital-employed | $703,000 | 4 submissions |
| Academic | $430,000 | 3 submissions |
* Practice types with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Compare salary data across different practice settings for Orthopedic Surgery physicians in California:
| Years of Experience | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years | $395,000 | 2 submissions |
| 3-5 years | $725,000 | 2 submissions |
| 6-10 years | $710,000 | 4 submissions |
| 11-15 years | $801,250 | 4 submissions |
| 16+ years | $714,000 | 2 submissions |
* Experience levels with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Browse city-level salary data for orthopedic surgeon physicians in California. Click any city to see detailed compensation information for that location.
See how Orthopedic Surgery salaries in California compare to neighboring states.
| Subspecialty | Average Salary | Sample Size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spine | $1,239,500 | 10 submissions | Addresses complex spinal disorders through both surgical and non-surgical means, including minimally invasive spine surgery. |
| Joint | $1,042,162 | 13 submissions | Focuses on specialized joint procedures and treatments within orthopedic surgery, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Trauma | $797,000 | 5 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. |
| Hand | $775,909 | 11 submissions | Specializes in intricate surgery of the hand, wrist, and upper extremity, including microsurgery and complex reconstruction. |
| Sports Medicine | $773,816 | 19 submissions | Treats athletic injuries and conditions, focusing on arthroscopic procedures and accelerated rehabilitation protocols. |
| Foot and Ankle | $747,667 | 12 submissions | Focuses on specialized foot and ankle procedures and treatments within orthopedic surgery, providing expert care in this specific area. |
* Subspecialties with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
* Data is aggregated from verified physician submissions.