Salary Levels by Experience
| Experience Level | Salary Range | Est. Annual Net |
|---|---|---|
| Resident / Fellow | $52,000–$72,000 | ~$48,786 |
| Junior Attending | $352,000–$464,000 | ~$262,001 |
| Senior Attending | $456,000–$576,000 | ~$324,317 |
| Partner / Program Director | $560,000–$880,000 | ~$440,452 |
Tax Breakdown at $432,000 (Bi-Weekly)
| Component | Per Paycheck | Annual | % of Gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | $16,615.38 | $432,000 | 100% |
| Federal Income Tax | −$4,442.19 | −$115,497 | 26.7% |
| IL State Income Tax | −$822.46 | −$21,384 | 5.0% |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | −$741.15 | −$19,270 | 4.5% |
| Net Take-Home | $10,610 | ~$275,849 | 63.9% |
What Drives Orthopedic Surgeon Pay in Chicago
Orthopedic surgeons in New York City operate at the intersection of sports medicine, trauma care, and elective joint reconstruction, serving patients across flagship academic centers, the Hospital for Special Surgery, and an array of private surgical practices. NYC's concentration of professional sports teams, elite athletes, and a large working-age population sustains exceptional demand for orthopedic care.
Sports orthopedics and joint replacement are the highest-volume and best-compensated subspecialties in the NYC market, with surgeons affiliated with professional sports teams earning premium retainer compensation above clinical salaries. The Hospital for Special Surgery — consistently ranked the nation's top orthopedic hospital — attracts the most complex cases and commands the highest surgeon fees. Private practice orthopedic groups with ambulatory surgery center ownership can yield partner incomes well above $1 million annually.
- Subspecialty (sports, joint replacement, spine, trauma)
- Surgical volume and case complexity
- Ambulatory surgery center ownership or partnership
- Professional sports team or institutional affiliation
Top Chicago Employers
Major employers hiring orthopedic surgeons in Chicago include: Northwestern Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, AMITA Health.
Tax note: An orthopedic surgeon earning $540,000 in NYC faces a combined marginal rate above 50%; structuring practice income through an S-corp or professional corporation and maximizing defined-benefit plan contributions are common strategies to reduce the tax burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
An orthopedic surgeon earning $432,000 in Chicago takes home approximately $275,849 per year, or $10,610 per bi-weekly paycheck, after all taxes. The effective tax rate is 36.1%.
Chicago orthopedic surgeon salaries range from $52,000–$72,000 at entry level to $560,000–$880,000 for senior professionals. The median mid-career salary is approximately $432,000.
Joint replacement (arthroplasty) surgeons typically earn more due to higher procedure volume and implant-related facility fees, while sports medicine orthopedists may earn comparably or more if they have professional sports team contracts — but both subspecialties sit at the top of the Chicago orthopedic pay range.
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