Surgeon

A surgeon is a medical provider who is trained to perform surgical procedures. General surgeons comprise one in five practicing physicians in the United States. To become a surgeon a student must have four years of college, four years of medical school and five years in residency. They must be board certified, and they must have a license in every state to perform surgery.

General surgeons are able to operate on almost any body system or organ. While the student is in residency they receive training on the breast, skin, the vascular system, trauma injuries, soft tissue wounds, and abdominal wall hernias. A general surgeon also commonly performs a variety of surgeries such as gall bladder removals, hernia repairs, tumor excisions and gastric-bypass surgery.

According to Medscape, "In 2011, general surgeons practicing in the United States earn an average of $265,000. About 19 percent of general surgeons reported annual incomes of less than $100,000, and 15 percent of general surgeons earned between $100,000 and $200,000. More than 40 percent of general surgeons made between $200,000 and $400,000 per year, and 8 percent of general surgeons reported salaries of $500,000 or more."