Surgeon

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Work Tasks

• Operate to stop the spread of disease, fix injuries, and improve how the body is working
• Examine patients and decide if operating is the best thing to do for their problem
• Explain the operation to the patient and their family
• Follow up on patients after surgery until they are better
• Work in offices and operating rooms in hospitals, healthcare organizations, medical schools, for the government, the armed forces, or in private practice
• Work with x-rays, lab results, patient records, lab equipment, diagnostic equipment, gloves, masks, gowns, and surgical instruments

Salary, Size & Growth

• $357,000 average per year ($171.75 per hour)
• A medium occupation (48,600 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (2.2% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree
• Employers Prefer: Internship at a well-know hospital
• Skills/Courses: After earning a 4-year degree in pre-medicine or other major, you can apply to medical school. A surgery program takes up to 7 years of medical school and includes a residency (working as a doctor while being a student).
• Licensing/Certification: A license to practice medicine and certification in a type of surgery is required.