Here are five points on spine and neurosurgeon compensation based on data from MGMA's Physician Compensation and Production Survey: 2011 Report Based on 2010 Data.
1. Surgeons in mid-career receive the most. Spine and neurosurgeons who were in practice from eight to 17 years received the highest annual compensation last year. Spine surgeons received $737,593, which is $137,000 more than their counterparts who had been in practice three to seven years. However, the most highly compensated specialists were neurosurgeons in mid career, who received $936,162 on average last year. This is at least $300,000 more than their less experienced counterparts and over $200,000 more than their more experienced counterparts who had been in practice for more than 18 years.
2. Surgeons in small metropolitan areas received the most. Both orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons received highest average compensation in metropolitan areas with populations of 50,000 to 250,000 people. Spine surgeons earned the highest at $755,866 while neurosurgeons weren't far behind at $751,344. The lowest compensating region for both groups was areas with a population of less than 50,000 people. In those areas, spine surgeons received around $283,000 less than their counterparts in the highest compensating region, while the spread between neurosurgeons was only about $151,000.
3. Hospital employed spine surgeons received most. Orthopedic spine surgeons employed by hospitals received $714,088 on average, which is around $81,000 more than spine surgeons not employed by hospitals. Employed spine surgeons also received more than neurosurgeons in private practice, who received $706,418. Neurosurgeons in private practice earned about $5,000 more than their counterparts employed by hospitals.
4. More work equaled more pay. In some orthopedic subspecialties, surgeons who worked less than 46 weeks actually received more than their counterparts who worked more than 46 weeks last year. However, both spine and neurosurgeons who worked more than 46 weeks received higher compensation than surgeons who worked less. Neurosurgeons who worked more than 46 weeks received $734,036, which is about $30,000 more than neurosurgeons who worked fewer than 46 weeks and over $100,000 more than orthopedic spine surgeons who worked more than 46 weeks last year. Orthopedic spine surgeons who worked more than 46 weeks still received around $31,000 more than their counterparts who worked less.
5. Orthopedic spine surgeons received more in retirement benefits. Orthopedic spine surgeons received an average of $35,074 last year in retirement benefits, which was around $3,000 less than hip and joint surgeons and around $300 less than orthopedic trauma surgeons. However, they did receive more than neurosurgeons, who received an average of $34,557 in retirement benefits last year.
Learn more about MGMA.
Related Articles on Compensation:
18 Statistics on Orthopedic Surgeon Compensation by Length in Practice
Highest and Lowest Compensated Orthopedists in 2010: 5 Things to Know
Spine vs. Neurosurgeon Compensation: 5 Points on Who Received More
2. Surgeons in small metropolitan areas received the most. Both orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons received highest average compensation in metropolitan areas with populations of 50,000 to 250,000 people. Spine surgeons earned the highest at $755,866 while neurosurgeons weren't far behind at $751,344. The lowest compensating region for both groups was areas with a population of less than 50,000 people. In those areas, spine surgeons received around $283,000 less than their counterparts in the highest compensating region, while the spread between neurosurgeons was only about $151,000.
3. Hospital employed spine surgeons received most. Orthopedic spine surgeons employed by hospitals received $714,088 on average, which is around $81,000 more than spine surgeons not employed by hospitals. Employed spine surgeons also received more than neurosurgeons in private practice, who received $706,418. Neurosurgeons in private practice earned about $5,000 more than their counterparts employed by hospitals.
4. More work equaled more pay. In some orthopedic subspecialties, surgeons who worked less than 46 weeks actually received more than their counterparts who worked more than 46 weeks last year. However, both spine and neurosurgeons who worked more than 46 weeks received higher compensation than surgeons who worked less. Neurosurgeons who worked more than 46 weeks received $734,036, which is about $30,000 more than neurosurgeons who worked fewer than 46 weeks and over $100,000 more than orthopedic spine surgeons who worked more than 46 weeks last year. Orthopedic spine surgeons who worked more than 46 weeks still received around $31,000 more than their counterparts who worked less.
5. Orthopedic spine surgeons received more in retirement benefits. Orthopedic spine surgeons received an average of $35,074 last year in retirement benefits, which was around $3,000 less than hip and joint surgeons and around $300 less than orthopedic trauma surgeons. However, they did receive more than neurosurgeons, who received an average of $34,557 in retirement benefits last year.
Learn more about MGMA.
Related Articles on Compensation:
18 Statistics on Orthopedic Surgeon Compensation by Length in Practice
Highest and Lowest Compensated Orthopedists in 2010: 5 Things to Know
Spine vs. Neurosurgeon Compensation: 5 Points on Who Received More