Operate on patients to treat injuries, diseases, and deformities in an operating room.
Hospital operating rooms
Long hours, frequent on-call
May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.
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Doctoral / professional degree
Training path: Medical school + residency.
Requires a medical degree, a multi-year residency, and a state medical license.
The longest, hardest training in medicine, and among the very highest-paid, with earnings above $239,000 reached more than a decade after college.
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Standard Occupational Classification 29-1249. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.