What Do Surgeon Do?
Surgeon Definition Physicians who treat diseases, injuries, and deformities by invasive, minimally-invasive, or non-invasive surgical methods, such as using instruments, appliances, or by manual manipulation.
Life As a Surgeon: What Do They Do?
- Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioners when necessary.
- Manage surgery services, including planning, scheduling and coordination, determination of procedures, or procurement of supplies and equipment.
- Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, residents, and other medical staff.
- Operate on patients to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases, or improve or restore patients’ functions.
- Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques that can improve operating procedures and outcomes.
- Diagnose bodily disorders and orthopedic conditions and provide treatments, such as medicines and surgeries, in clinics, hospital wards, or operating rooms.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Surgeon?
These are the skills Surgeons say are the most useful in their careers:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Related Job Titles
- Cosmetic Surgeon
- Hand Surgeon
- Surgical Oncologist
- Medical Doctor (MD)
- Upper Extremity Surgeon
Is There Going to be Demand for Surgeons?
There were about 45,000 jobs for Surgeon in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 6,500 new jobs for Surgeon by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,900 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Surgeon are New York, Maryland, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Mississippi, Vermont, or Rhode Island. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Surgeons Salary
The typical yearly salary for Surgeons is somewhere between $94,960 and $208,000.

Surgeons who work in Alabama, Alaska, or Arizona, make the highest salaries.
How much do Surgeons make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $278,810 |
Alaska | $208,000 |
Arizona | $208,000 |
Arkansas | $266,630 |
California | $221,490 |
Colorado | $244,940 |
Connecticut | $224,570 |
Delaware | $277,280 |
District of Columbia | $244,230 |
Florida | $211,640 |
Georgia | $273,450 |
Hawaii | $208,000 |
Idaho | $241,030 |
Illinois | $243,350 |
Indiana | $259,850 |
Iowa | $231,450 |
Kansas | $282,940 |
Kentucky | $268,550 |
Louisiana | $253,630 |
Maine | $286,810 |
Maryland | $284,120 |
Massachusetts | $242,790 |
Michigan | $244,710 |
Minnesota | $208,000 |
Mississippi | $280,350 |
Missouri | $248,250 |
Montana | $266,470 |
Nebraska | $287,890 |
Nevada | $208,000 |
New Hampshire | $208,000 |
New Jersey | $285,850 |
New Mexico | $280,430 |
New York | $250,620 |
North Carolina | $278,260 |
North Dakota | $219,390 |
Ohio | $267,680 |
Oklahoma | $279,020 |
Oregon | $208,000 |
Pennsylvania | $252,140 |
Rhode Island | $257,000 |
South Carolina | $208,000 |
South Dakota | $208,000 |
Tennessee | $271,680 |
Texas | $238,080 |
Utah | $208,000 |
Vermont | $272,550 |
Virginia | $264,160 |
Washington | $240,910 |
Wisconsin | $208,000 |
Wyoming | $208,000 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Surgeons
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Surgeons:
- Microsoft Windows
- MEDITECH software
- Epic Systems
- SmugMug Flickr
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Practice management software PMS
- Human resources management system HRMS
- Computer imaging software
How to Become a Surgeon
What education is needed to be a Surgeon?

What work experience do I need to become a Surgeon?

Surgeons Sector

Surgeons work in the following industries:

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Surgeon might also be interested in the following careers:
Those who work as a Surgeon sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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