How much can you expect to make as a surgeon?

How much can you expect to make as a surgeon?

• Ok I would LOVE to know how much money is normally made by an intern, as well as a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th year resident (in the general surgery field). Then after you have ...show more

• Answer:

  House staff (that's the term for interns and residents) make in the $40 - 50K range. It usually is the same throughout a hospital system, and specialty doesn't matter. Salaries vary among locations and institutions. Fellowship can be different, because by that time you are fully trained in your specialty, and are going on for additional subspecialty training. Where I worked (a million years ago) the fellows were in training until 3 pm, when they magically became attendings for call purposes. Pay was somewhere between resident and junior attending pay. I don't know if other institutions do that or not. When choosing a residency program or fellowship opportunity, pay is the last thing that matters. Quality of education, location, reputation of the program, call schedule, duration of program and quality of facilities are all more important. So many people here think they want to be CT surgeons, but it's a grueling life. You really can't make that decision until you've done a CT surgery rotation as a general surgery resident. CT surgeons also tend to be of a certain personality type (gross generalization here) - and it's not a nice personality. If you're going into surgery for the money, you'll have a miserable life. You'll be able to afford a fancy house - you'll just never get to spend any time there! Surgeons have to love what they do. Otherwise, it's far too much work.