Orthopedic surgeons have great salaries, the average surgeon earns about $430,000 a year, although many earn more than $700,000. Pay really varies from surgeon to surgeon and hospital to hospital, it depends alot on the experience of the surgeon and the size and type of hospital. At some hospitals surgeons can take lots of time off, but typically they do not get much paid vacation. Benefits, bonuses, and time off really depend on where and who they work for and the experience of the surgeon. The large salary is for a good reason though. Becoming a surgeon requires lots of intense training and many years of school. Surgeons really have to be passionate about what they do and want to help people because they work very hard and spend so much time training. Surgeons have to be hard working, smart, and be very motivated. I have talked to lots of surgeons and they all say the biggest benefit of being a doctor is that they get to help people.