11 Highest Paying States for Surgeons

If you’re a surgeon wanting to move to another state, consult our list of the 11 highest paying states for surgeons first, to help you decide.

Surgery is a branch of medicine centered on operating on the patient using specialized medical instruments to treat injuries or disorders of the body. The human body is extremely complex and delicate, which is why surgery is often highly dangerous, and requires both years of training and a high mental stamina to perfect. An array of manipulations, incisions and technique constitute surgical procedures, which is why every surgery requires a surgical assistant and in many cases, such as transplants and emergency surgeries, an entire surgical team. There are a variety of available specializations in this field, for example, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, oral surgery or abdominal/general surgery.

Surgery plays a vital role in medicine, which is exhibited by the fact that it was practiced as far back as in 1600 BC. In the modern world, surgeons have to complete at least 10 years of education before they are able to practice medicine, which includes college, medical school, residency, certification and specialization. The residency alone takes a while; anywhere between three to eight years. Because of all this hard work, and extreme responsibility that comes with the job, the average surgeon in the United States makes over $350,000 every year.

If, however, you’re more inclined towards another field in medicine, like radiology, take a look at our list of the 11 highest paying states for radiologists.

To compile our list of highest paying states for surgeons, we took salary statistics for every state from Salary Expert. Furthermore, we took employment figures for the highest paying states from the fact-finding report issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The reason we did not utilize the latter for salaries is because data was missing for several states, many of which were the highest paying in the country.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get on with the 11 highest paying states for surgeons!

11. Delaware

Average Annual Salary: $383,246

Average Hourly Salary: $184.2

We kick off our list with Delaware, deemed the “Small Wonder” for being the second smallest state by area, but harboring beautiful places that will undoubtedly take your breath away. That’s not the only enthralling aspect of it, though; a hundred surgeons working in the state earn a jaw-dropping amount every year.

10. Washington

Average Annual Salary: $383,965

Average Hourly Salary: $184.60

The next state on our list derives its name from its lush evergreen forests. The Evergreen State houses 900 surgeons, each of whom is blessed with an annual income amounting to $384K.

9. Rhode Island

Average Annual Salary: $384,215

Average Hourly Salary: $184.72

The small, but beautiful Ocean State takes up the ninth spot. Little Rhody is home to 230 surgeons, who earn quite a comfortable wage.

8. Maryland

Average Annual Salary: $389,601

Average Hourly Salary: $187.31

For its diverse and beautiful landscapes, Maryland is termed by many to be America in Miniature. The 610 surgeons working in Little America are rewarded with almost $390,000 a year for their hard work.

7. Alaska

Average Annual Salary: $393,247

Average Hourly Salary: $189.06

The seventh state on our list is the first to surpass $390,000 for the average annual income for surgeons. Alaska, or the Last Frontier, located in the far-off north, has an extremely cold climate and a sparse population and hence houses only 40 surgeons.

6. Massachusetts

Average Annual Salary: $395,691

Average Hourly Salary: $190.24

The Bay State is where surgeons earn over $190 an hour, which amounts to an annual salary of $395,691. This cements its spot at number 6 on the 11 highest paying states for surgeons. In sharp contrast to previous states on our list, a whopping 2,240 surgeons practice medicine in Massachusetts.

5. Connecticut

Average Annual Salary: $400,903

Average Hourly Salary: $192.74

The Nutmeg State is certainly lucrative for the 830 surgeons working here. Not only do they pocket $400,903 every year on average, but they earn over $190 per hour.

4. New York

Average Annual Salary: $405,993

Average Hourly Salary: $195.19

The Empire State marks its spot at number four with a yearly income of almost $406,000 for surgeons. Considering that it’s the fourth most populous state in the country, it comes as no surprise that 1,160 surgeons are employed in New York.

3. California

Average Annual Salary: $412,975

Average Hourly Salary: $198.55

The third spot on our list is occupied by the most populous state in the country, California. This state is appropriately named the Golden State for the reserves of gold present here. Of its huge population of 39 million, 5,180 are surgeons, earning $198.55 an hour.

2. District of Columbia

Average Annual Salary: $416,094

Average Hourly Salary: $200.04

The Federal District of Columbia becomes the first state on our list where the hourly wage for surgeons surpasses $200. The annual salary for surgeons working here amounts to an astounding $416K.

1. New Jersey

Average Annual Salary: $421,840

Average Hourly Salary: $202.81

We conclude our list with the Garden State, which, despite having a small land area, is densely populated, and thus employs 1,690 surgeons. With average annual and average hourly incomes of $421,480 and $202.81 respectively, New Jersey emerges as number 1 on this list of the 11 highest paying states for surgeons.