Orthopedic surgeons were named the highest-paid medical specialty in 2025, with the average salary reaching $543,000, according to Medscape’s 2025 “Physician Compensation Report,” published April 11.
Orthopedic surgeons were trailed by radiologists, who came in second, and plastic surgeons.
Here is how the three highest-paid physician specialists have changed since 2015:
Orthopedic surgeons: $421,000
Cardiologists: $376,000
Gastroenterology: $370,000
Orthopedic surgeons: $443,000
Cardiologists: $410,000
Dermatologists: $381,000
Orthopedic surgeons: $489,000
Plastic surgeons: $440,000
Cardiologists: $410,000
Plastic surgeons: $501,000
Orthopedic surgeons: $497,000
Cardiologists: $423,000
Orthopedic surgeons: $482,000
Plastic surgeons: $471,000
Otolaryngologists: $461,000
Orthopedic surgeons: $511,000
Plastic surgeons: $479,000
Otolaryngologists: $455,000
Plastic surgeons: $526,000
Orthopedic surgeons: $511,000
Cardiologists: $459,000
Plastic surgeons: $576,000
Orthopedic surgeons: $557,000
Cardiologists: $490,000
Plastic surgeons: $619,000
Orthopedic surgeons: $573,000
Cardiologists: $507,000
Orthopedic surgeons: $558,000
Plastic surgeons: $536,000
Cardiologists: $525,000
2025
Orthopedic surgeons: $543,000
Radiologists: $520,000
Plastic surgeons: $516,000
The post How the highest-paid physician specialties have changed since 2015 appeared first on Becker’s ASC.
