According to PROFILES The Online Database of Graduating Physicians' 2013-2014 Physician Salary Survey, orthopedic surgeons have the top earnings among physician specialists.
Here are 10 statistics, facts and things to know about spine surgeon pay:
1. While orthopedic spine surgeons topped the list — which includes average physician compensation after six years of practice — they were followed close behind by a few other key specialties. Here are the top five:
• Orthopedic spine surgery: $628,000
• Neurological surgery: $593,500
• Cardiac and thoracic surgery: $525,000
• Orthopedic surgery: $488,500
• Diagnostic radiology-interventional: $472,800
2. The average starting range for orthopedic spine surgeons is around $465,000. The average starting range for neurological surgeons was $395,000.
3. The average neurosurgeon salary is around $346,791 annually, according to PayScale. By quartiles, salary is broken down to:
• 10 Percentile: $99,000
• 25 percentile: $200,000
• Median: $350,000
• 75 percentile: $510,000
• 90 percentile: $710,000
4. Bonuses for neurosurgeons are typically $206.08 to $99,277.
5. Neurosurgeon profit sharing can be anywhere from $1,014 to $537,548.
6. Neurosurgeon commission can range from $2,414 to $101,736. Total pay, including profit sharing and bonuses could be anywhere from $98,907 to $767,815 or more.
7. The years of experience make a difference. Neurosurgeons with around 10 years to 20 years of experience are often making the most. The breakout numbers from PayScale including all compensation are:
• Entry level to five years: Around $270,000
• Five to 10 years: About $400,000
• 10 to 20 years: Nearly $460,000
• More than 20 years: Around $375,000
8. Location makes a difference as well. The popular locations for neurosurgeons that make above average pay include:
• Chicago: 39 percent
• Baltimore: 37 percent
• Atlanta: 33 percent
• New York: 3 percent
• Boston: 1 percent
9. Some areas popular for neurosurgeons are also areas where they are making below average pay, including:
• Miami: -12 percent
• Los Angeles: -24 percent
• Seattle: 28 percent
10. Many neurosurgeons also have health benefits — only 9 percent on the PayScale report didn't. Here are the most popular benefits:
• Medical: 90 percent
• Dental: 70 percent
• Vision: 61 percent