Career comparison
Orthopedic Surgeon vs. Surgical Assistant
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. $66,800), while surgical assistants usually get to work faster (1–2 years of training). Orthopedic surgeons repair bones, joints, ligaments and tendons with surgery and treatment. Surgical assistants work beside surgeons to expose, hold and close during operations.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Orthopedic Surgeon | Surgical Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $358,550 ($172.38/hr) | $66,800 ($32.11/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $84,170 – $659,290 | $39,690 – $107,610 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.0% (about as fast as average) | +6.1% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 400 | 1,400 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 14 years after high school | 1–2 years |
| Key credential | ABOS board certification | Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) |
| Work setting | Orthopedic surgeons work in hospitals, surgery centers and clinics.. | Surgical assistants work in operating rooms in hospitals 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
Surgical Assistant
- Position and prep patients
- Retract tissue for exposure
- Control bleeding
- Suction and irrigate
- Suture and close incisions
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, high responsibility, and teamwork. 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 surgical assistant if…
- I love the operating room
- I have steady hands
- I can stand for hours
Still torn? Take the Orthopedic Surgeon fit quiz and the Surgical Assistant fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, orthopedic surgeon or surgical assistant?
Orthopedic Surgeons earn more at the median: $358,550 versus $66,800 for surgical assistants, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Surgical Assistants typically train faster (1–2 years) than orthopedic surgeons (14 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects surgical assistants to grow +6.1% from 2025–35, compared with +4.0% for orthopedic surgeons.