How long does the training take?

Typically eight years or more of study, then an internship or residency, often one to three years. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do surgeons, all other make?

The US median is $414,010 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train for this work?

181 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

🎓 My University View

Home › Careers › Surgeons, all other

Surgeons, all other: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Healthcare (clinical) · SOC 29-1249

$414,010US median pay, 2025

+4%Projected growth, 2025–35

700Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Doctoral or professional degree
Internship/residency
Work in: surgeons, all other

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Medicine	CIP 51.1201	150
Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy	CIP 51.1202	34
Combined Medical Residency/Fellowship Program, General	CIP 61.0101	0
Combined Medical Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other	CIP 61.0199	0
Multiple-Pathway Medical Fellowship Programs, Other	CIP 61.0299	0
Neurological Surgery Residency Program	CIP 61.1001	0
Neurological Surgery Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other	CIP 61.1099	0
Otolaryngology Residency Program	CIP 61.1701	0
Neurotology Fellowship Program	CIP 61.1702	0
Otolaryngology Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other	CIP 61.1799	0
Plastic Surgery Residency Program	CIP 61.2101	0
Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Program	CIP 61.2102	0
Plastic Surgery Within the Head and Neck Fellowship Program	CIP 61.2103	0
Plastic Surgery Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other	CIP 61.2199	0
General Surgery Residency Program	CIP 61.2701	0
Colon and Rectal Surgery Residency Program	CIP 61.2702	0
Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program	CIP 61.2703	0
Congenital Cardiac Surgery Fellowship Program	CIP 61.2704	0
Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Program	CIP 61.2706	0
Thoracic Surgery Fellowship Program	CIP 61.2707	0
Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program	CIP 61.2708	0
Surgery Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other	CIP 61.2799	0
Urology Residency Program	CIP 61.2801	0
Urology Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other	CIP 61.2899	0
Medical Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other	CIP 61.9999	0

See the 181 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically eight years or more of study, then an internship or residency, often one to three years. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do surgeons, all other make?: The US median is $414,010 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train for this work?: 181 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

Related careers in Healthcare (clinical)

Registered nurses · Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses · Pharmacy technicians · Nurse practitioners · Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians · Psychiatric technicians · Dental hygienists · Medical records specialists