Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
29-1242.00

A subset of this occupation's profile is available. Data collection is currently underway to populate other parts of the profile.

Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.

Sample of reported job titles: General Surgeon, Hand Surgeon, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Orthopedic Surgeon, Physician, Surgeon

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks Save Table: XLSX CSV

  • Analyze patient's medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and examination results to verify operation's necessity and to determine best procedure.
  • Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques that can improve operating procedures and outcomes related to musculoskeletal injuries and diseases.
  • Diagnose bodily disorders and orthopedic conditions, and provide treatments, such as medicines and surgeries, in clinics, hospital wards, or operating rooms.
  • Diagnose or treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
  • Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, residents, and other medical staff.
  • Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.
  • Examine patient to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk.
  • Follow established surgical techniques during the operation.
  • Manage surgery services, including planning, scheduling and coordination, determination of procedures, or procurement of supplies and equipment.
  • Operate on patient's musculoskeletal system to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases, or improve or restore patient's functions.
  • Order and interpret the results of laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging procedures.
  • Prepare case histories.
  • Prescribe preoperative and postoperative treatments and procedures, such as sedatives, diets, antibiotics, or preparation and treatment of the patient's operative area.
  • Provide consultation and surgical assistance to other physicians and surgeons.
  • Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioners when necessary.

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Occupational Requirements

Detailed Work Activities Save Table: XLSX CSV

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Experience Requirements

Job Zone Save Table: XLSX CSV

Title
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Education
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Related Experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Job Training
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Job Zone Examples
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
SVP Range
(8.0 and above)

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Training & Credentials

State training
Local training
Certifications
State licenses

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Apprenticeship Opportunities

Start your career and build your skillset. Visit Apprenticeship.gov external site to learn about opportunities related to this occupation.

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Worker Requirements

Software Skills Save Table: XLSX CSV

Hot Technologies are requirements most frequently included across all employer job postings.
In Demand skills are frequently included in employer job postings for this occupation.

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Worker Characteristics

Career Interest Types Save Table: XLSX CSV

Occupational InterestCareer Interest Type
92
 
Investigative — Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
68
 
Realistic — Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
64
 
Social — Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
49
 
Conventional — Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
23
 
Enterprising — Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
8
 
Artistic — Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

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Specific Interest Areas Save Table: XLSX CSV

Occupational InterestSpecific Interest Area
96
 
Health Care Service — Work involves providing health care services to individuals to include the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of diseases and other forms of illness or impairment.
81
 
Medical Science — Work involves studying and researching the causes, nature, effects, and treatments of disease or other forms of impairment or illness.
61
 
Life Science — Work involves studying and researching living organisms through scientific disciplines such as biology, botany, zoology, microbiology, physiology, biochemistry, or zoology.
30
 
Management/Administration — Work involves planning, directing, or coordinating the daily operations of an organization, and overseeing personnel, business, or administrative services.
28
 
Teaching/Education — Work involves teaching through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects.
25
 
Engineering — Work involves applying science and technology to the design, building, testing, and use of electrical and electronic components, mechanical devices and machines, automotive, marine, and aerospace equipment and vehicles, materials, or structures.
22
 
Mathematics/Statistics — Work involves developing and applying mathematics and statistical theory and methods.
18
 
Physical/Manual Labor — Work involves manually unloading and moving freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or performing other physical labor.
18
 
Social Service — Work involves providing social services and assistance to improve the well-being and social and psychological functioning of children and adults.
17
 
Public Speaking — Work involves speaking before an audience to educate, entertain, or influence the listeners.
14
 
Athletics — Work involves training, practicing, or competing in athletic events, or supporting those participating in athletics through coaching, training, or officiating.
14
 
Professional Advising — Work involves providing expert advice, coaching, and counseling on topics such as careers, educational opportunities, and educational and professional development.
13
 
Mechanics/Electronics — Work involves maintaining and repairing of machinery, such as automotive engines, electronic equipment, computers, and communication systems.
13
 
Social Science — Work involves studying and researching human behavior, society, politics, and social relationships through scientific disciplines such as psychology, sociology, economics, or political science.
11
 
Physical Science — Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, materials, and phenomena through scientific disciplines such as physics, chemistry, astronomy, meteorology, or geology.
10
 
Personal Service — Work involves providing personal services to individuals in need of non-medical assistance such as helping arrange or plan for travel, meals, or events.
8
 
Human Resources — Work involves recruiting, selecting, and training job applicants, maintaining employee personnel records, administering compensation and employee-benefit programs, and conducting employee performance reviews.
7
 
Business Initiatives — Work involves creating strategic plans or taking actions to expand an organization's business or market share.
7
 
Information Technology — Work involves designing, developing, testing, and maintaining computer software, hardware, networks, and systems.
7
 
Office Work — Work involves clerical and administrative tasks for an organization such as answering phones, bookkeeping, updating records, scheduling appointments or meetings, and editing of documents and files.
6
 
Accounting — Work involves examining, analyzing, and interpreting accounting records for financial statements, or maintaining, auditing, or evaluating records and accounts.
6
 
Law — Work involves studying and applying legal knowledge.
3
 
Construction/Woodwork — Work involves constructing, installing, or repairing structures and fixtures made of wood.
3
 
Finance — Work involves directing and managing financial activities, such as planning and investments for an individual or organization to generate income.
3
 
Marketing/Advertising — Work involves promoting or creating a public image for products, services, or organizations to attract interest, engagement, or sales.
3
 
Politics — Work involves engaging in political activities to influence government policy.
2
 
Applied Arts and Design — Work involves applying artistic principles to the design and creation of various objects and materials.
2
 
Humanities — Work involves studying and researching aspects of human history, culture, and language through disciplines such as history, philosophy, the language arts, or area/ethnic studies.
2
 
Media — Work involves producing, developing, writing, directing, or presenting information through print, radio, television, or digital media.
2
 
Sales — Work involves selling goods or services.
1
 
Animal Service — Work involves feeding, grooming, exercising, or otherwise providing care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, and zoos.
1
 
Creative Writing — Work involves developing creative written works, such as novels, scripts, song lyrics, poetry, stories, or advertisements.
1
 
Culinary Art — Work involves preparing, cooking, and presenting food in a distinctive style usually associated with a specific culture or region.
1
 
Performing Arts — Work involves acting as a performer in dance, comedy, or dramatic productions, choreographing of dance performances, or producing of live or recorded entertainment.
1
 
Protective Service — Work involves maintaining order and protecting life and property by conducting investigations and enforcing laws and regulations to prevent or solve crimes.
1
 
Visual Arts — Work involves creating original visual artwork for a variety of media and purposes using various techniques and software.
0
 
Agriculture — Work involves planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops, plants, or trees, or raising farm animals. Work can also involve preparing plant and animal products for distribution to consumers, or protecting natural resources to maximize their use in farming.
0
 
Music — Work involves conducting, composing, or playing music or singing.
0
 
Nature/Outdoors — Work involves planning, restoring, and conserving natural areas and wildlife habitats.
0
 
Religious Activities — Work involves conducting religious worship, leading a church or other religious group, and offering moral guidance associated with beliefs and practices of a religious faith.
0
 
Transportation/Machine Operation — Work involves driving vehicles, such as vans, trucks, trains, and buses to transport people or materials. Work can also involve operating heavy equipment, such as cranes, forklifts, bulldozers, and backhoes to move materials or earth.

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Work Styles Save Table: XLSX CSV

ImpactWork Style
100
 
Attention to Detail — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
98
 
Dependability — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.
87
 
Cautiousness — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.
85
 
Stress Tolerance — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
83
 
Self-Control — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.
82
 
Achievement Orientation — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.
82
 
Intellectual Curiosity — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.
82
 
Perseverance — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.
79
 
Self-Confidence — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control one's work-related outcomes.
77
 
Leadership Orientation — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
75
 
Integrity — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
64
 
Cooperation — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
54
 
Innovation — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.
52
 
Sincerity — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, without concern for personal gain or self-interest.
51
 
Initiative — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may fall outside of one's required work role.
49
 
Social Orientation — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
46
 
Tolerance for Ambiguity — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
44
 
Adaptability — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.
41
 
Empathy — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feelings at work.
28
 
Optimism — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even under difficult circumstances.
3
 
Humility — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.

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Workforce Characteristics

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wages (2025)
$115.00+ hourly, $239,200+ annual
State wages
Local wages
Employment (2024)
14,700 employees
Projected growth (2024-2034)
Average (3% to 4%)
Projected job openings (2024-2034)
400
State trends
Top industries (2024)
Health Care and Social Assistance (97% employed in this sector)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2025 wage data external site and 2024-2034 employment projections external site. “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2024-2034). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.

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Job Openings on the Web

State job openings
Local job openings

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More Information

Related Occupations Save Table: XLSX CSV

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Professional Associations

Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

National Associations
Regional Associations
Accreditation, Certification, & Unions

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