Essential Information
Surgeons perform operations and other medical procedures to treat injuries, diseases and deformities. Becoming a surgeon is a lengthy process, generally requiring four years of undergraduate school, four years of medical school and 3-10 years of residency and fellowship training. Surgeons also continue the education process throughout their careers in order to maintain licensure and stay informed of medical advances.
| Degree Level | Doctorate degree and post-doctoral training |
| Degree Field(s) | Pre-med or biological sciences |
| Surgeon Requirements | Licensure and board-certification in all states |
| Experience | 3-10 years of residency training depending on specialty |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-29) | 4% for all surgeons and physicians* |
| Mean Salary (2019) | $252,040* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Surgeon Career Summary
Surgeons are specialized physicians who operate on patients to correct or remove malformations, repair injuries or conduct preventative procedures. They may also conduct examinations on patients and advise them on their medical situations. Many surgeons specialize in one particular field, such as orthopedic, cardiovascular or neurological surgery.
Employment Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), surgeons and physicians are expected to experience a rise in job opportunities in the coming years (www.bls.gov). Overall employment was expected to grow 4% from 2019-2029, which is average for all professions. The demand for surgeons is attributed to continuing development of healthcare and associated industries, and a growing elderly population in the United States.
Salary Information
Surgeons are some of the highest-paid professionals of any occupation. In May 2019, the BLS reported that surgeons earned a mean salary of $252,040 per year. This equates to around or more than $100 per hour in many cases. Even the lowest-paid 10% of surgeons earned a median salary of $83,740 in 2019.
How to Become a Surgeon
- Obtain a bachelor's degree
- Pass the MCAT
- Obtain a medical degree
- Complete a medical residency
- Obtain a medical license
Bachelor's Degree
Before entering medical school, aspiring surgeons must complete undergraduate school to earn a bachelor's degree. These 4-year degrees do not have to focus specifically on medicine; however, curricula should focus heavily on the physical sciences to prepare students for the strong emphasis on science in medical school. Courses in anatomy, biology, chemistry, math and physiology may be beneficial. Some medical schools admit students after only three years of undergraduate school.
The MCAT
The path to becoming a surgeon continues after a bachelor's degree with the MCAT, or the Medical College Admission Test. Preparation for the MCAT should begin sometime before graduation from a bachelor's degree program, as the examination is extensive. The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) has several online guides to help students who wish to become surgeons or other medical professionals to prepare for the MCAT.
Medical Degree
With bachelor's degrees, students are prepared to attend medical school and pursue Medical Doctor (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degrees. M.D. degree program curricula are generally divided into two years of foundational medical courses followed by two years of clinical clerkships. During clerkships, students work directly with patients, applying classroom instruction obtained in the first two years to diagnose illnesses and provide healthcare.
Post-Doctoral Surgical Training
After medical school, students typically continue their medical training in residency programs, gaining practical experience in a chosen specialty under the supervision of licensed physicians. Some specialties include general surgery, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, or urology.
According to the American Medical Association (AMA), these programs can last 3-7 years depending on the specialty, though general surgery residencies typically take five years to complete. Surgeons who wish to focus their careers on sub-specialties of the profession must complete an additional 1-3 years of post-doctoral training in fellowship programs.
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Surgeon Requirements
Along with extensive, formal training from an accredited medical school, all states require surgeons to obtain medical licensure. Licensure entails passage of the United States Medical Licensing Examination or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam. Surgeons must also become board-certified in surgery and any subspecialties by the American Board of Medical Specialists or American Osteopathic Association. Surgeons are generally required to complete continuing education credits throughout their careers to maintain licensure and certification.
A surgeon mainly focuses on operating on patients and requires a bachelor's degree, medical degree, and licensure.
Job Challenges and Benefits
Now that you know how to become a surgeon, it is important to think about whether this career is right for you. There are a number of benefits to becoming a surgeon. The job has a high salary and is highly regarded both within and outside of the medical community. There are ample options for advancement for many surgeons, particularly those who specialize in particular kinds of surgery. Helping people to recover from serious illnesses is also an aspect of the work that many surgeons find rewarding.
On the other hand, being a surgeon can be extremely stressful. The fact that patients' lives are often reliant on surgeons puts an enormous amount of pressure on those who work in this field. Many surgeons will also experience a patient dying during or after a surgery at least once in their careers, which can be extremely psychologically challenging for many people. All of these things are challenges that prospective surgeons need to be aware of when choosing their careers.
