Career comparison
Orthopedic Surgeon vs. Podiatrist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Orthopedic surgeons earn more at the median ($358,550 vs. $160,300), while podiatrists usually get to work faster (11 years after high school of training). Orthopedic surgeons repair bones, joints, ligaments and tendons with surgery and treatment. Podiatrists diagnose and treat problems of the foot, ankle and lower leg.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Orthopedic Surgeon | Podiatrist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $358,550 ($172.38/hr) | $160,300 ($77.07/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $84,170 – $659,290 | $66,010 – $309,670 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.0% (about as fast as average) | +2.0% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 400 | 200 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 14 years after high school | 11 years after high school |
| Key credential | ABOS board certification | APMLE exams |
| Work setting | Orthopedic surgeons work in hospitals, surgery centers and clinics.. | Podiatrists work in private offices, hospitals, wound care centers and surgery centers.. |
What each job does
Orthopedic Surgeon
- Diagnose musculoskeletal problems
- Repair fractures
- Replace joints
- Reconstruct ligaments and tendons
- Treat arthritis and sports injuries
Podiatrist
- Examine feet and ankles
- Diagnose injuries and conditions
- Treat wounds and infections
- Prescribe orthotics
- Perform foot and ankle surgery
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, hands-on work, and high responsibility. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose orthopedic surgeon if…
- I love surgery
- I’m interested in sports and movement
- I have physical stamina
Choose podiatrist if…
- I want a medical specialty
- I like surgery and clinic work
- I want to help people stay mobile
Still torn? Take the Orthopedic Surgeon fit quiz and the Podiatrist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, orthopedic surgeon or podiatrist?
Orthopedic Surgeons earn more at the median: $358,550 versus $160,300 for podiatrists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Podiatrists typically train faster (11 years after high school) than orthopedic surgeons (14 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects orthopedic surgeons to grow +4.0% from 2025–35, compared with +2.0% for podiatrists.