Orthopedic surgery dropped from the top spot in Medscape's highest-paid physician specialties in 2021, but has been consistently among the top three highest earners.
Here's how orthopedic surgeon pay has changed over the past 10 years, according to Medscape's Physician Compensation Report 2012-2021.
2021
Plastic surgery: $526,000
Orthopedics: $511,000
Cardiology: $459,000
2020
Orthopedics: $511,000
Plastic surgery: $479,000
Otolaryngology: $455,000
2019
Orthopedics: $482,000
Plastic surgery: $471,000
Otolaryngology: $461,000
2018
Plastic surgery: $501,000
Orthopedics: $497,000
Cardiology: $423,000
2017
Orthopedics: $489,000
Plastic surgery: $440,000
Cardiology: $410,000
2016
Orthopedics: $443,000
Cardiologists: $410,000
Dermatologists: $381,000
2015
Orthopedics: $421,000
Cardiology: $376,000
Gastroenterology: $370,000
2014
Orthopedics: $413,000
Cardiology: $351,000
Urology: $348,000
2013
Orthopedics: $405,000
Cardiology: $357,000
Radiology: $349,000
2012
Radiology: $315,000
Orthopedics: $315,000
Cardiology: $314,000