An orthopedic spine surgeon’s salary is believed to be amongst the highest in the medical job field. In this article, we focus on the salary projections and job profile of these professionals.
Many people suffer from spinal problems and diseases. Such medical problems can be a result of the fast paced and stressful life of this generation. The job profile of an orthopedic spine surgeon mainly consists of treating such spinal diseases and problems.
What They Do
Spine surgeons are experts in diagnosing and providing appropriate treatments for medical problems such as herniated discs, spinal tumors, spondylolisthesis, and infections of the spinal region. These medical issues can aggravate to a great extent and result into bigger complications, if right treatment, at the right time is not provided. So, his job assumes tremendous importance. They are also known to diagnose and treat fractures which can bring about great relief to patients. Spinal surgery is a highly specialized field which requires a lot of expertise, training, and experience on the part of surgeons.
In order to become an orthopedic spine surgeon you need to complete medical school studies, after competing your graduation degree in the field of medicine. The training is rigorous and it takes four or five years to complete the specialty program, followed by obtaining a license for practicing. Clearing the exams conducted by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery is essential for all candidates.
Salaries
The salary of a spine surgeon largely depends on his number of years of experience, skills, educational qualifications and job location. The salary, in fact is so high that it is almost five times or more higher than salaries of most other jobs. This is mainly because of the high demand for such surgeons and the less availability. According to many experts, this salary will continue to be high due to robust demand.
Spine surgeons may start off their career with a salary of anything between USD 130,000 to USD 200,000 per year or even more. After a few yeas of experience, this figure can jump drastically to more than USD 350,000 per year. The average salary is around USD 500,000, as per the research conducted by experts in the job market. Some salary surveys have pegged the median salary to be in excess of USD 600,000 per year, which is stunning.
Very attractive and high salary figures of spine surgeons can be achieved after years of hard work and experience in handling special cases. With experience in a hospital setting or a clinic, you can take an extra step forward and set up your own healthcare center, along with consulting services which can earn you even more. Surgeons need to be prepared to work round the clock and at odd hours. However, they can really enjoy a great lifestyle and live in prosperity, if they show a high level of commitment and professionalism.