General Surgery Salary in 2024: Trends, Data, and Key Insights

General surgery is a vital medical specialty focused on performing a variety of surgical procedures, often involving the abdomen, breast, skin, and soft tissues. In 2024, general surgeons continue to enjoy competitive salaries due to the demanding nature of their work and the essential services they provide. This article delves into general surgeon salary trends for 2024, offering insights from Doximity, MGMA, Medscape, and other industry reports.

Table of Contents

Introduction to General Surgeon Salary
Average General Surgeon Salary in 2024
Insights from Doximity, MGMA, and Medscape Reports
Factors Influencing General Surgeon Compensation
General Surgeon Salary Trends Over the Years
Geographic Variations in General Surgeon Salaries
The Gender Pay Gap in General Surgery
FAQs About General Surgeon Salaries

1. Introduction to General Surgeon Salary

General surgeons perform a wide range of surgeries, including emergency procedures and elective operations, making them a crucial part of the healthcare system. Their skills are in high demand, leading to competitive compensation that reflects the diverse nature of their practice. The salary trends for general surgeons are shaped by several factors, including experience, location, and the specific type of surgeries performed.

2. Average General Surgeon Salary in 2024

The average salary for general surgeons in 2024 is approximately $401,000, positioning it within the mid-to-high range among medical specialties. This figure reflects the significant responsibility and skill required in general surgery.

Doximity 2024 Report: General surgeons earn an average salary of $401,000, making it one of the more lucrative surgical specialties.
Medscape 2024 Report: The average salary reported by Medscape is $405,000, showing consistency across various sources in compensation data.
MGMA Data (2021): According to MGMA’s 2021 data, the median salary for general surgeons is around $408,000, with top earners making over $500,000 depending on subspecialty focus and practice setting.

3. Insights from Doximity, MGMA, and Medscape Reports

Insights from these reports provide a comprehensive understanding of general surgeon compensation:

Doximity 2024 Report: General surgeons saw a 4% increase in salaries from 2023, reflecting a gradual growth in compensation. Surgeons working in private practice settings or large hospital systems tend to earn more due to the higher volume of procedures performed.
Medscape 2024 Report: The report highlights that general surgeons who focus on subspecialties, such as trauma surgery or bariatric surgery, often see higher compensation than those performing a broader range of procedures.
MGMA 2021 Report: MGMA data reveals that compensation varies significantly by setting, with surgeons in urban areas typically earning more than those in rural locations, due to the higher cost of living and increased patient volume in cities.

4. Factors Influencing General Surgeon Compensation

Several factors can impact general surgeon salaries, including:

Type of Practice: Surgeons working in private practices or group practices often earn more than those employed in academic settings, where salaries may include responsibilities for teaching and research.
Subspecialty Focus: General surgeons who specialize in areas like oncologic surgery, bariatric surgery, or trauma surgery may earn higher compensation due to the complex nature of these procedures.
Experience Level: More experienced surgeons typically command higher salaries, especially those who have established themselves in a specific area of surgery or hold leadership positions.
Location: Geographic location plays a major role in compensation, with surgeons in large metropolitan areas often earning more than those in rural regions.

5. General Surgeon Salary Trends Over the Years

General surgeon salaries have shown steady growth over the past decade:

2020-2022 Trends: The COVID-19 pandemic caused fluctuations in elective surgeries, leading to a temporary dip in compensation for some surgeons. However, a 4% increase in 2023 helped restore salaries to pre-pandemic levels.
Long-Term Growth: Over the past decade, general surgery has consistently maintained competitive compensation, with the MGMA 2021 report indicating a steady increase in median salaries, typically ranging from $390,000 to $410,000 depending on location and experience.

6. Geographic Variations in General Surgeon Salaries

Location significantly influences general surgeon compensation:

Top-Paying Regions: Cities like San Francisco, CA, New York, NY, and Los Angeles, CA offer some of the highest salaries for general surgeons, averaging $420,000 to $450,000, due to higher living costs and demand for specialized surgical care.
Lower-Paying Regions: Areas such as Indianapolis, IN, and Pittsburgh, PA, offer lower compensation, around $370,000, largely due to different market conditions and lower patient volumes.

7. The Gender Pay Gap in General Surgery

The gender pay gap persists in general surgery, although progress is being made:

Doximity 2024 Data: The gender pay gap for general surgeons is approximately 18%, with female surgeons earning around $70,000 less than their male counterparts. The gap is narrower in academic settings, where compensation structures tend to be more standardized.
MGMA Findings (2021): The MGMA data indicates that the gender pay gap is more pronounced in private practice settings, where compensation is often tied to patient volume and productivity.

8. FAQs About General Surgeon Salaries

1. What is the average salary for a general surgeon in 2024?

The average salary is approximately $401,000, with variations depending on practice setting, location, and type of surgeries performed.

2. How does general surgery compare to other medical specialties in terms of compensation?

General surgery offers competitive salaries, though it is not as high as specialties like orthopedic surgery or plastic surgery.

3. Are general surgeon salaries increasing?

Yes, salaries increased by 4% in 2023, with ongoing demand for surgical care driving compensation growth.

4. Which regions offer the highest salaries for general surgeons?

San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles offer higher compensation due to high living costs and demand for surgical procedures.

5. Does a gender pay gap exist in general surgery?

Yes, with a 18% gap, female general surgeons earn less than their male colleagues, although the disparity is gradually decreasing.

Conclusion

General surgery remains a well-compensated specialty, with salaries reflecting the crucial role of surgeons in the healthcare system. Data from Doximity, MGMA, and Medscape highlight positive salary trends for 2024, despite challenges like the gender pay gap and regional disparities. Staying informed about factors affecting compensation can help general surgeons maximize their earning potential.