What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric in the U.S. earn more than $358,550 a year — the middle 80% land between $84,170 and $659,290. About 14,100 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$358,550typical pay / year
14,100people in this work
$659,290+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Analysing2
Treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system
+Treat musculoskeletal disorders on my outpatient roster: triage referrals by urgency, pick imaging and labs…
Treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system
+Treat musculoskeletal disorders on my outpatient roster: triage referrals by urgency, pick imaging and labs needed, plan operative versus conservative care for each knee and shoulder case, and place preop orders for the three patients scheduled this month.
The tools that do the workElectronic medical record EMRComputer imagingjob descriptionsO*NET
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Analyze patient's medical history and examination results
+Review a patient’s history and exam findings from yesterday’s clinic: reconcile prior notes, compare current…
Analyze patient's medical history and examination results
+Review a patient’s history and exam findings from yesterday’s clinic: reconcile prior notes, compare current neurovascular and ROM exam with baseline, summarise red flags and list additional tests to confirm diagnosis for the care plan.
The tools that do the workElectronic medical record EMRjob descriptionsO*NET
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Make1
Develop and test surgical techniques
+Develop and bench-test a surgical technique prototype: draft the stepwise operative procedure, identify…
Develop and test surgical techniques
+Develop and bench-test a surgical technique prototype: draft the stepwise operative procedure, identify required instruments and simulation needs, run two dry‑lab trials with recorded video and checklist, and record modifications after each run.
The tools that do the workThree-dimensional 3D virtual surgeryComputer imagingjob descriptionsO*NET
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Coordinate1
Coordinate activities of medical staff
+Coordinate the orthopedics team for next week’s operating list: confirm surgeon assignments, theatre times,…
Coordinate activities of medical staff
+Coordinate the orthopedics team for next week’s operating list: confirm surgeon assignments, theatre times, implant availability, PT/OT early mobilisation plans, and send a daily briefing to the clinic nurses and schedulers by Friday noon.
The tools that do the workPractice management software PMSHuman resources management system HRMSjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work20
Lop trees
+Cut the two leaning oaks behind the clinic using safe felling techniques, clear the trunks and large limbs…
Lop trees
+Cut the two leaning oaks behind the clinic using safe felling techniques, clear the trunks and large limbs from the driveway, stage felled timber at the property line for pickup, and confirm no utility lines are impacted before starting.
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Tree preservation and conservation
+Assess the four maples on the hospital lawn for structural integrity, perform selective thinning and crown…
Tree preservation and conservation
+Assess the four maples on the hospital lawn for structural integrity, perform selective thinning and crown cleaning to preserve canopy health, apply targeted disease treatment where needed, and leave root zones undisturbed while documenting work.
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Climb trees
+Climb the large sycamore at the outpatient entrance, install redundant rope systems and harness anchored to…
Climb trees
+Climb the large sycamore at the outpatient entrance, install redundant rope systems and harness anchored to the strongest lateral, perform branch-by-branch inspection and minor pruning while belayed, and descend with tools secured to prevent falling debris.
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Use heavy machinery to prune and cut trees
+Operate the tracked chipper-arm to prune limbs over the emergency bay, isolate the work zone with signage,…
Use heavy machinery to prune and cut trees
+Operate the tracked chipper-arm to prune limbs over the emergency bay, isolate the work zone with signage, direct a spotter to watch for overhead hazards, remove cut material to the staging area, and test controls before cutting near lights.
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Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.
+Walk the assigned operating room, inspect every instrument tray, suction and cautery units, and sterile field…
Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.
+Walk the assigned operating room, inspect every instrument tray, suction and cautery units, and sterile field supplies; verify sterilization indicators are positive, replace any opened packs, document failures in the procedure log, and sign off before the first incision at 07:30.
The tools that do the workElectronic medical record EMRO*NET
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Prepare case histories.
+Pull each patient’s chart, summarise the injury mechanism, prior imaging and surgeries, list current meds and…
Prepare case histories.
+Pull each patient’s chart, summarise the injury mechanism, prior imaging and surgeries, list current meds and allergies, reconcile pre-op notes with latest clinic visit, print one-page case history to go with the tray for morning rounds.
The tools that do the workEpicO*NET
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Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioners when necessary.
+For Mrs. Alvarez with persistent knee swelling, send a formal referral to rheumatology including last three…
Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioners when necessary.
+For Mrs. Alvarez with persistent knee swelling, send a formal referral to rheumatology including last three clinic notes, current XR and MRI reports, blood work results, and my specific question about inflammatory arthropathy; request evaluation within two weeks and copy the primary care doctor.
The tools that do the workPractice management software PMSEpicO*NET
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Maintain trees
+Schedule a 90‑minute weekend slot to inspect and prune the courtyard oaks: map the trees, note cavities or…
Maintain trees
+Schedule a 90‑minute weekend slot to inspect and prune the courtyard oaks: map the trees, note cavities or dead limbs, perform selective thinning, chip debris, and log work completed plus any safety concerns for facilities.
The tools that do the workHuman resources management system HRMSESCO
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Operate chainsaw
+Before the yard work tomorrow, walk the job site, identify overhead wires, unstable trunks, root heave and…
Operate chainsaw
+Before the yard work tomorrow, walk the job site, identify overhead wires, unstable trunks, root heave and nearby patient paths, mark any trees needing rigging or professional removal, and file a hazard report with facilities.
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Assess hazards implied in tree operations
+Using the clinic day off, set aside two hours to check chainsaw, sharpen chain, test chain brake and safety…
Assess hazards implied in tree operations
+Using the clinic day off, set aside two hours to check chainsaw, sharpen chain, test chain brake and safety gear, wear eye and hearing protection, practice felling small instructor-marked studs, and record maintenance and competency in the log.
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Perform tree thinning
+Thin the overgrown oak stand along the south hospital fence today: remove competing limbs up to 6 inches…
Perform tree thinning
+Thin the overgrown oak stand along the south hospital fence today: remove competing limbs up to 6 inches diameter, leave scaffold branches intact, haul chips to the mulch area, and mark any trunks needing follow-up assessment for structural defects.
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Protect trees
+Protect the historic maple grove at the clinic: install root-zone mulch rings three feet wide, prune back…
Protect trees
+Protect the historic maple grove at the clinic: install root-zone mulch rings three feet wide, prune back turf from trunks, fence off compaction areas during construction, and log the interventions and dates for the grounds team to monitor.
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Execute disease and pest control activities
+Treat the ash shelterbelt for emerald ash borer: identify infested specimens, apply trunk injections to trees…
Execute disease and pest control activities
+Treat the ash shelterbelt for emerald ash borer: identify infested specimens, apply trunk injections to trees showing early decline, remove heavily infested trees and dispose offsite, and record each tree, treatment, and next inspection date.
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Carry out aerial tree rigging
+Carry out aerial rigging on the sycamore by the parking lot: set two anchor points, install a lowering system…
Carry out aerial tree rigging
+Carry out aerial rigging on the sycamore by the parking lot: set two anchor points, install a lowering system rated for 2,000 pounds, raise a certified rigger and spotter, and lower each cut section to the ground without allowing it to swing into parked cars.
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Follow safety procedures when working at heights
+Follow safety procedures while working from the clinic roof tomorrow: don harness and lanyard tied to…
Follow safety procedures when working at heights
+Follow safety procedures while working from the clinic roof tomorrow: don harness and lanyard tied to certified anchor, perform pre-use inspection of climbing gear, station a ground person with radio, and log the safety checks before any ascent.
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Advise on tree issues
+Advise the facilities director on the trees along Elm Street: inspect five flagged trees for root stability…
Advise on tree issues
+Advise the facilities director on the trees along Elm Street: inspect five flagged trees for root stability and pruning needs, prepare a one-page recommendation with urgency ranking and cost estimate, and email it to Dana by Friday noon.
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Human resources
+Update human resources in the orthopedics clinic roster to reflect Dr. Miller's sabbatical start, add locum…
Human resources
+Update human resources in the orthopedics clinic roster to reflect Dr. Miller's sabbatical start, add locum coverage dates, on-call rotations and credential expiries before the departmental meeting Friday.
The tools that do the workHuman resources management system HRMSO*NET
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Image guided surgery
+Prepare the pre-op plan for Ms. Chen's left knee replacement, include CT-to-anatomy registration screenshots…
Image guided surgery
+Prepare the pre-op plan for Ms. Chen's left knee replacement, include CT-to-anatomy registration screenshots and navigation targets, then file the image guided surgery entry in the operative record before tomorrow's block time.
The tools that do the workImage-guided surgeryO*NET
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Medical laser control
+Document the laser settings, energy delivered, and safety timeout for Mrs. Gomez's spine ablation and file…
Medical laser control
+Document the laser settings, energy delivered, and safety timeout for Mrs. Gomez's spine ablation and file the medical laser control entry in the procedure log before the end of the day so physicists can audit it.
The tools that do the workMedical laser controlO*NET
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Robotic surgery
+Enter the console times, instrument changes, and intraop events for Dr. Kim's total hip revision and finalize…
Robotic surgery
+Enter the console times, instrument changes, and intraop events for Dr. Kim's total hip revision and finalize the robotic surgery log so inventory can reconcile instrument usage and billing can be completed.
The tools that do the workRobotic surgeryO*NET
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses