Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$253,430
per year
Hourly Rate
$121.84
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-29% vs US median
US median $358,550
State Rank
#28 of 31
state estimate

How much does an Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric make in California?

An Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric working in California earns a median salary of $253,430 per year, or about $121.84 per hour. That is 29% below the national median of $358,550 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $80,660 while the top 10% make $457,010 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $103,450 and $363,050 a year.

Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$80,660$38.78
25th percentile (early career)$103,450$49.74
50th percentile (median)$253,430$121.84
75th percentile (experienced)$363,050$174.54
90th percentile (top earners)$457,010$219.72

How California compares

California ranks 28th out of 31 states and territories for Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Missouri$842,800
2West Virginia$597,740
3Wisconsin$572,060
4Montana$560,820
5Arizona$558,970

Working as an Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric in California

Nationally, about 14,000 people work as Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($253,430) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric make in California?
The median Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric salary in California is $253,430 per year, or about $121.84 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $80,660 at the entry level to $457,010 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric about 29% less than the national median of $358,550. California ranks 28th out of 31 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $253,430 a year. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.