Surgeon

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Work Tasks

SURGEONS are physicians who specialize in the treatment of injury, disease, and deformity through operations. They perform surgery to prevent the spread of disease, correct deformities, repair injuries, and improve function of patients. Many surgeons choose to specialize in a specific area, such as neurology or ophthalmology. After surgery, surgeons follow-up on the patients until they are fully recovered. Like primary care and other specialist physicians, surgeons also examine patients, perform and interpret diagnostic tests, and counsel patients on preventive health care.

Salary, Size & Growth

• $357,000 average per year ($171.75 per hour)
• A medium occupation (48,600 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (2.2% per year)

Entry Requirements

All states and the District of Columbia require SURGEONS to be licensed in order to practice medicine. Surgeons must graduate from an accredited medical school, pass a licensing examination, and complete up to 7 years of graduate medical education. Then they must be certified in their specialty of surgery. The majority of surgical residents usually enter a residency for general surgery as a pathway to either practicing general surgery or to one of the other surgical specialties.