20 Best States For Surgeons

Paging doctors who love scalpels, here are the best states for surgeons!

I have had a few surgeries. My surgeons were always really nice people–they had a distinct personality trait. Something of an endearing confidence–not arrogance, just something that let you know they felt up to the task. Sure, this is only anecdotal evidence, there are likely surgeons with many different personality traits. Perhaps some are bolder than others. I know it sounds like I am describing Doritos now, but I’m just trying to say that people, even surgeons, are multifaceted.

Surgeons have one of the hardest jobs in the world. They are responsible for saving lives, and in most cases, people see them as their last line of defense especially when it comes to surgeries involving terminal diseases. Surgeons are doctors who are responsible for operations. They work hand-in-hand with physicians, who are assigned with the responsibility of examining patients and prescribing medicines. Surgeons and physicians work closely together, which explains why the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) had them listed together as one occupation.

BLS says both surgeons and physicians share the same responsibility of improving people’s lives through medicine. Their job requires them to be really passionate about what they do because the pressure and stresses could be unlike any other. There is consistent pressure, even from the day you decide you want to become a doctor, through college to get high grades, med school, testing, residency. In some cases, depending on the pace of your chosen type of medicine it doesn’t stop until the day you retire. Being a surgeon is not for the faint of heart.

Before you even become one, there are so many challenges you have to really deal with–rigorous courses and programs, long years of studies, and sometimes even long years of residency and internship. Training usually takes hundreds of hours, and practical skills are not the only things you need to survive. Surgeons are expected to be compassionate, detail-oriented, patient, and must have excellent communication and problem-solving skills. The medical field is continuously in search for advancements and improvements, so a surgeon must adapt well to changes and demand in the workplace. It is also important for surgeons to be really passionate about research, as rare medical cases arise every now and then.

Studying to become a surgeon is a perilous jungle, as medical education consists of highly demanding subjects including biochemistry, physics, math, and other programs. After graduating and in transition to residency, surgeons and physicians have to choose their specialization. Perhaps this training is what leads to the confidence I experienced. An MD’s specialization usually varies in such fields like obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, urology, podiatry and many more.

We all know how hard it is to be a surgeon, so we all expect the pay to be really good. According to BLS, the average wage for physicians and surgeons is at $241,273. The highest salary to for a doctor was $411,852. Considering what they had to go through before actually practicing their profession and also considering the challenges of what they do for a living, the pay seems right. Besides, apart from hard university subjects and really arduous training for residency, they also have to pass the licensure exam to be called a doctor. The road they traveled is one that’s strenuous, making them deserve wages this high. Again while doctors, and surgeons in particular, may be meek or bold they need to have a personality that can deal with all of these challenges.

Do you think the 11 Highest Paying States for Orthopedic Surgeons will be part of this list?

It is also worth noting that the United States of America ranked third on Medic Footprint’s 10 Highest Paying Countries For Doctors. The country pays more than many other known countries in the world, with the only downside of requiring physicians to take another licensure exam when you’re an overseas working surgeon.

Now, in terms of the best states for surgeons, while it is important to consider the states that pay the highest wages, it is also vital to look for the states with the best employment rates. These states have the highest number of practicing surgeons, which could already tell a lot about how good that place is for these professionals. Like in all other lists about occupations, it is also crucial that the states on this list enjoy the low cost of living rates. What good would it to anyone who earns well if a huge chunk of their paycheck would go to living expenses like food and rent?

We arrived at the following results by averaging each state’s ranking according to three points: annual median wage, cost of living index, and employment rates. The information about annual median wage and employment rates were sourced from BLS, while the cost of living indexes was from Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.

20. Washington

Annual median wage: $163,520

Cost of living index: 107.1

Employment: 4,630

Washington has 107 hospitals, so surgeons enjoy tons of job opportunities in this state. They also have among the highest wages in the country for surgeons and physicians as well. While the state does not have so much demand for doctors if you compare it with other states, they do offer higher salaries than the national average, which is just hard to ignore. Their cost of living rates are higher than most American states, but could very well be sustained by what you can earn in here.

19. Colorado

Annual median wage: $178,340

Cost of living: 102.1

Employment: 2,500

Colorado has many hospitals, too, including a world-renowned children’s hospital. The state also pays their surgeons and physicians more than most states in the country, making them all the more attractive for several medical practitioners. In terms of wages, Colorado even ranks second in paying the highest salaries for surgeons and physicians. Their cost of living expenses are hovering on the average, so you have the guarantee that you’ll be able to enjoy your hard-earned money.

18. West Virginia

Annual median wage: $146,510

Cost of living: 95.7

Employment: 2,780

West Virginia has 70 hospitals in total. Not so much when you compare it to other states in America, so you cannot expect very high employment rates as well. What sets West Virginia apart from other states is its low cost of living rates. Living expenses in the state belong to the cheapest ones in the country. This just means you can enjoy your hard-earned salary without worrying about how much you’ll spend for your rent, food, and other basic needs.

17. Arizona

Annual median wage: $141,510

Cost of living: 98.1

Employment: 4,340

Arizona has 99 hospitals, which is proven well by the employment rates they have on file. Apart from really impressive employment rates, the state also has an affordable cost of living rates, which stay lower than the national average. You can also see how well they pay their surgeons and physicians. Over $140,000 within a state that has living expenses cheaper than most states in the country, Arizona truly is one of the best states for surgeons.

16. Virginia

Annual median wage: $132,360

Cost of living: 100.2

Employment: 7,450

This state has 130 hospitals in total, 15 of which are considered to be among the best in the country, according to US News. Virginia sure knows how to do medical services–more so than most American states–if you consider that fact. They also have really good wages for surgeons, making them motivated with their work. Virginia’s living expenses never went past the national average, which all the more makes it appealing for all sorts of professionals regardless of their occupation.

15. Ohio

Annual median wage: $64,830

Cost of living: 93

Employment: 14,980

Ohio has 212 hospitals in total, which is among the highest number in the country. There are 12 hospitals in the state belonging to the best in the country, making Ohio a deserving part of this list. No wonder they have great employment rates for surgeons and physicians. Their wages do not really look like much, but when you factor in the job opportunities they present to medical practitioners, the state is truly hard to just ignore. Besides, they have cost of living expenses that would not slash so much from your wages, so why not give it a try?

14. New Mexico

Annual median wage: $175,360

Cost of living: 95.7

Employment: 1,670

With 55 hospitals in the state, it is not surprising that New Mexico’s employment rates for surgeons and physicians did not score highly. Even so, they have the third highest wages for medical professionals, so the state is still officially one of the best ones for surgeons and physicians. Apart from really great wages, New Mexico also boasts of their sustainable living expenses prices. If you’re a surgeon looking for the best place to get a job in, this one is surely one of your safest bets.

13. Missouri

Annual median wage: $116,300

Cost of living: 90.8

Employment: 3,380

Missouri has a total of 160 hospitals. 11 of their medical centers meet the US standards, according to the US News. These facts make Missouri a go-to state when it comes to major surgeries, which is also why it made this list. Their salary rates for surgeons and physicians easily attract these professionals, even when these wages do not meet the average. Their cost of living rates are so low, people of all occupations would naturally choose to live and work in Missouri over any other state.

12. Louisiana

Annual median wage: $143,040

Cost of living: 94.4

Employment: 3,410

223 hospitals in Louisiana all the more make the state one of the best states for surgeons. There is definitely no shortage when it comes to jobs and opportunities here, and they do not skimp on wages at all. They pay their surgeons well, which is even better when you consider how much their living expenses are. Louisiana’s prices on rent and food are way below the average, what else could you be looking for?

11. Illinois

Annual median wage: $102,030

Cost of living: 95.5

Employment: 13,830

You surely have noticed the impressive employment rates Illinois, next on our lsit of best states for surgeons has for surgeons and physicians. This state has 223 hospitals, creating the high number of jobs reflected there. Surgeons, as well as other professionals who choose to live in Illinois can all enjoy their hard-earned salaries without ever worrying about their living expenses. Illinois has surely done a great job in balancing wages and expenses–they have so many jobs for you, too.

10. Kansas

Annual median wage: $118,060

Cost of living: 90.4

Employment: 3,300

With over 150 hospitals, Kansas has a fairly stable demand for surgeons. The state has always been known for its cheap cost of living rates, reflected in its affordable prices for rent, food, and basic utilities. Most American states with low cost of living have low salaries, but not Kansas for surgeons. For this occupation, this state looks like it hit the perfect balance between how much you earn and how much you have to spend.

9. Iowa

Annual median wage: $172,950

Cost of living: 91.7

Employment: 2,100

Next on our list of best states for surgeons we have Iowa that has 125 hospitals, most of which meet US standards. The state pays the fifth highest wages for surgeons and physicians. With very high wages and fairly impressive employment rates, Iowa looks great for surgeons and other medical professionals as well. Not to mention how affordable generally everything is in this state, no wonder surgeons would prefer to live here instead of other states in America.

8. Florida

Annual median wage: $135,590

Cost of living: 99

Employment: 16,930

Out of 250 hospitals in total, 28 of Florida’s medical centers meet US standards. They have among the highest number of reputable hospitals in the country. Their wages for surgeons are higher than most American states, which is made even better with their cost of living rates that hovers below the average. Things are neither cheap nor expensive in Florida, but their wages could make everything pretty cheap.

7. Wisconsin

Annual median wage: $172,160

Cost of living: 96.9

Employment: 5,420

Wisconsin that ranked 7th on our list of best states for surgeons has over 250 hospitals in total. The number of hospitals in the state is reflected by its high employment rates. Their wages surpass that of most states in America, so you know surgeons would really make good money in Wisconsin than the others. The state also enjoys an affordable cost of living rates, which means food, utilities, house rent, and many other basic needs tend to be cheaper in Wisconsin than other places in the country.

6. Oklahoma

Annual median wage: $155,980

Cost of living: 88.6

Employment: 3,040

We are continuing our list of best states for surgeons with Oklahoma that has 157 hospitals, so surgeons would not have a hard time looking for a resident hospital in here. They have high wages for surgeons, especially when you consider how much they pay other professions. Also, surgeons and physicians in Oklahoma are almost guaranteed they can enjoy a large part of their wages, since their living expenses are known to be on the cheaper side.

5. Texas

Annual median wage: $105,290

Cost of living: 90.7

Employment: 19,870

With 579 hospitals in total, the impressive employment rates do not surprise at all. In addition, Texas almost always has the highest employment rates in the country. Most small cities in Texas are starting to put themselves on the map because of their developing economy. They also have high wages for surgeons, and if you factor in their cost of living expenses, you’d realize they actually get so much from what they earn.

4. Michigan

Annual median wage: $119,880

Cost of living: 88.2

Employment: 12,910

With 157 hospitals in Michigan, next in line on our list of best states for surgeons, you would probably be wondering why they have such a high employment rate for surgeons and physicians. The state enjoys the third most affordable cost of living expenses in the country, which explains why people would choose to live here instead of many other states in America. Their wages for surgeons are so high, too. Remember when we said we’re looking for states that would perfectly balance income and wages, Michigan pretty much delivers.

3. Georgia

Annual median wage: $168,650

Cost of living: 91.4

Employment: 10,600

At the 3rd spot on our list of best states for surgeons we have Georgia that has 185 hospitals in total, most of which have passed the US standards. They rank 8th in paying the highest wages for surgeons and physicians. Their wages look even better when you factor in how much you should spend on your living expenses like food and housing. With such a great balance between what surgeons earn and how much they spend, Georgia is a clear winner in the best states for surgeons.

2. Tennessee

Annual median wage: $185,930

Cost of living: 89.8

Employment: 5,440

This state has 157 hospitals in total. Tennessee, next on the list of best states for surgeons also holds the record for paying the highest salaries for surgeons and physicians. The employment rates they have for these medical professionals are not as high as the other states that made it to this list, but with the number of hospitals they have, it can also have changes in the future. Bottom line, there is an undeniable balance between what surgeons earn and how much they spend on their living expenses.

1. Indiana

Annual median wage: $169,870

Cost of living: 87.9

Employment: 8,380

The first place on our list of best states for surgeons goes to Indiana that has 179 hospitals, which explains the employment rates they have for surgeons and physicians. The state is also popular for being one of the cheapest states in America. They are in fact the second most affordable state in the country. That being said, it is guaranteed that your living expenses would be kept to a minimum when you live here. Budgeting would never be your problem with wages that high, too.

These states all boast of high salaries and great employment rates. They all have cost of living rates balanced well by how much they earn. If you just finished your residency and training, take a closer look at any of the best states for surgeons before deciding where to practice your profession.