Sports Medicine Orthopedic surgeon Salary
Research what it takes to become a sports medicine surgeon. Learn about education, training, licensure requirements and salary to find out if this is the career for you. Schools offering .
Sports medicine surgeons treat a range of athletic injuries, including those related to tendon and spinal damage. The following chart provides an overview about becoming a sports medicine surgeon.
| Degree Required | Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) |
| Training Required | 5-year surgery residency followed by 1- to 2-year sports medicine fellowship |
| Licensure or Certification | All states require doctors to be licensed; board certification is available |
| Key Responsibilities | Examine, assess and diagnose athletic injuries; surgically repair or restore damage to bones, ligaments and musculoskeletal structures caused by athletic-related injuries or accidents |
| Job Growth (2012-2022) | 18% for all physicians and surgeons* |
| Median Salary (2014) | $434, 163 for orthopedic surgeons** |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), **Salary.com
What Education Do I Need to be a Sports Medicine Surgeon?
Sports medicine surgeons specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal issues common to athletes. Your pursuit of a career in this field should begin with a 4-year bachelor's degree program at an accredited university. While no particular major is necessary, your coursework must satisfy medical school prerequisites, including physics, general and organic chemistry, biology and some mathematics. Medical programs are highly selective, so you should focus on building a strong academic and extracurricular record.
The admissions process to medical school is extensive. You'll be required to submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement and scores from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Frequently, medical schools also require applicants to interview with an admissions officer.
Most medical programs grant the 4-year Doctor of Medicine (M.D.). Your medical school curriculum will include a variety of subjects, such as pathology, pharmacology, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology. You'll also complete clinical rotations and gain practice treating patients in a variety of medical specialties, such as pediatrics, psychiatry, internal medicine and surgery.
As an alternative to the M.D., several programs offer the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). A D.O. program also lasts four years and can prepare you for the same type of work as an M.D. program; however, D.O. programs place more emphasis on holistic medicine and the musculoskeletal system.
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