To become a surgeon in the US, you'll finish a bachelor's degree, complete four years of medical school for an M.D. or D.O., then train in a surgical residency that lasts 3 to 9 years depending on the specialty, before getting a state license. In the UK, you'll take a 5-year medical degree, a 2-year foundation programme, 2 years of core surgical training and up to 6 years of specialist training.
Surgery is one of the longest training routes in any career, and the pay reflects it. Here's every stage on both sides of the Atlantic, what each type of surgeon earns and the parts of the route people tend to underestimate.
US figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for physicians and surgeons. The UK route comes from the National Careers Service surgeon profile. Both were read on 26 October 2026.
The US surgeon route at a glance
| Stage | What it involves | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | Any major, usually with biology or physical science courses | Usually 4 years |
| Medical school | M.D. or D.O. degree, with entry based partly on the MCAT | 4 years |
| Residency | Supervised surgical training in a hospital | 3 to 9 years by specialty |
| Fellowship (optional) | Subspecialty training, such as hand surgery | 1 to 3 years |
| State license | Graduate, finish residency, pass national exams | Before independent practice |
Becoming a surgeon in the US, step by step
- Earn a bachelor's degree. BLS says no specific major is required, but medical school applicants usually study biology, physical science or a health field.
- Take the MCAT and apply. Medical schools are highly competitive. They look at transcripts, Medical College Admission Test scores, recommendation letters and interviews.
- Complete medical school. The first phase is classroom and lab work. The second puts you on clinical rotations, including surgery, under supervision.
- Match into a surgical residency. Almost all graduates enter a residency in their chosen specialty.
- Get licensed. All states require physicians and surgeons to be licensed, which means graduating from an accredited school, finishing residency and passing standardized national exams.
- Add a fellowship if you want to subspecialize. Hand surgery is one example BLS gives, with fellowships lasting 1 to 3 years.
Some schools offer combined undergraduate and medical programs that last 6 to 8 years, which can shorten the front end of the route.
What different surgeons earn
| Occupation (BLS, May 2025) | Median annual pay | Jobs in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Pediatric surgeons | $559,030 | 1,300 |
| Surgeons, all other | $414,010 | 27,500 |
| Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric | $358,550 | 15,500 |
| Ophthalmologists, except pediatric | $300,080 | 9,700 |
| All physicians and surgeons | $275,930 | 862,800 |
Those figures are as of October 2026. The catch most guides miss is how small surgery is. BLS counts 54,000 surgeons in its surgeons group against 862,800 physicians and surgeons overall, and pediatric surgery, the best-paid line in the table, employs only 1,300 people. Highly paid specialties tend to have very few training places, so the competition starts at medical school, not at the residency stage.
The UK route to surgery
The UK path is built in fixed blocks. The National Careers Service lists four stages:
- A 5-year degree in medicine recognised by the General Medical Council
- A 2-year foundation programme of general training
- Core surgical training in a hospital, which takes 2 years
- Specialist training, which can take up to 6 years
If you already have a science degree, there's a 4-year graduate entry route into medicine. People already working in healthcare may be able to take a Doctor Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship, which takes 5 years and needs your employer's support, then move on to foundation, core and specialist training like everyone else. Some applicants can do a foundation year before starting a medical degree.
What the job looks like day to day
BLS describes surgeons as physicians who operate on patients to treat injuries such as broken bones, diseases such as cancerous tumors and deformities such as cleft palates. Orthopedic surgeons focus on bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons, while pediatric surgeons treat conditions in children, from infants to adolescents.
Surgeons usually work in a sterile environment and must follow strict protocol during procedures. BLS says many physicians and surgeons work long shifts, which may include irregular and overnight hours or being on call, so it's worth being honest with yourself about the lifestyle before you commit a decade to training.
If you like medicine but want a shorter route, compare this with becoming a physician assistant. If you want to stay in the operating room without operating, look at how to become an anesthesiologist.
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Is surgery the right path for you?
Surgery suits people who are detail oriented, calm under pressure and good with their hands, and who don't mind training for at least 11 years after high school in the US. Strong science grades, a high MCAT score and real clinical exposure before applying all help. If you're still at school, spend time shadowing in a hospital and ask surgeons what their week looks like. The pay is outstanding, but the training is the price of entry, and it's paid up front.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a surgeon?
In the US, usually four years of college, four years of medical school and a 3 to 9 year residency, plus 1 to 3 years for a fellowship if you subspecialize. In the UK, a 5-year medical degree, a 2-year foundation programme, 2 years of core surgical training and up to 6 years of specialist training.
What degree do you need to be a surgeon?
A medical degree. In the US that's an M.D. or D.O. after a bachelor's degree. In the UK it's a medical degree recognised by the General Medical Council.
How much do surgeons make?
BLS reports a median of $414,010 a year for the surgeons all other group and $358,550 for orthopedic surgeons in May 2025, with pediatric surgeons at $559,030.
Can you become a surgeon without a science degree?
In the US, yes. BLS says no specific undergraduate major is required, though applicants usually take science courses. In the UK, the standard route is a medical degree, with a graduate entry route for people who already hold a science degree.
Is there an apprenticeship route to surgery in the UK?
The National Careers Service says people working in healthcare may be able to take a Doctor Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship, which takes 5 years, before foundation and surgical training.
Do surgeons need a license?
Yes. All US states require physicians and surgeons to be licensed, which includes passing standardized national exams and finishing residency.
