Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Psychologist vs Surgeon salary

In United States, a surgeon earns about 267% more than a psychologist $433,000 vs $118,000 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Healthcare
Psychologist
$118,000/yr
Monthly
$9,800
Hourly
$57
Range
$80,800$163,400
10-yr outlook
+6%
Pays more
Healthcare
Surgeon
$433,000/yr
Monthly
$36,100
Hourly
$208
Range
$277,100$623,500
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePsychologistSurgeon
Entry (10th)$80,800$277,100
25th$99,400$355,100
Median$118,000$433,000
75th$140,700$528,300
Senior (90th)$163,400$623,500

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a psychologist or surgeon earn more in United States?
A surgeon earns more, at about $433,000 per year vs $118,000 for a psychologist — roughly 267% ($315,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A psychologist typically earns $80,800–$163,400, while a surgeon earns $277,100–$623,500 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a psychologist averages about $9,800 and a surgeon about $36,100.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a psychologist earns about $80,800 while a surgeon earns about $277,100 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a psychologist earns about $163,400 while a surgeon earns about $623,500 per year.
Are psychologist and surgeon similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.