Surgeon Salary in Colorado (2026)
Average Surgeon pay in the US
$373,930/year
≈ $180/hour before tax
BLS publishes no Colorado figure; US average shown.
Source: BLS, May 2025 · Surgeons, All Other
After tax (single filer)
$245,749/year
$20,479/month · effective tax rate 34.28%
- Federal $94,010
- State $15,745
- FICA $18,426
- Take-home
Pay by role in Colorado
- Orthopedic SurgeonBLS · middle 50%$199,990–$540,690
See the full tax breakdown
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
Annual Take-Home Pay | $245,749 |
Monthly Take-Home Pay | $20,479 |
Biweekly Take-Home Pay | $9,452 |
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year | $118/hr |
Federal Tax | $94,010 |
State Tax | $15,745 |
FICA Taxes | $18,426 |
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary | 34.28% |
Not all Surgeons earn the same — not even close
Colorado's surgeon market is concentrated at UCHealth (the University of Colorado-affiliated health system, ~30K employees including the Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora flagship), Children's Hospital Colorado (Aurora, top-10 nationally ranked pediatric), Centura Health (now split into CommonSpirit + AdventHealth post-2024), HealthONE (HCA Healthcare's Colorado operations including Swedish Medical Center Englewood + Sky Ridge + Presbyterian/St. Luke's), plus specialty practices including Steadman Philippon Research Institute Vail (orthopedic sports medicine destination) and National Jewish Health Denver (top-ranked respiratory specialty).
Orthopedic Surgeon
$199,990–$540,690
Steadman Philippon Vail (sports medicine destination) · UCHealth Ortho · Panorama Orthopedics Golden
Source: BLS May 2025 · Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric · Colorado · middle 50%
Worth knowing: The Steadman Philippon Research Institute Vail is the structural depth feature most national surgeon-market surveys understate for CO. Founded by Dr. Richard Steadman in 1990, the Steadman Clinic + Philippon Research Institute operates one of the world's most prestigious sports medicine destinations — official orthopedic care provider for the US Ski Team, NFL teams, MLB teams, and a substantial roster of professional athletes worldwide. The Vail Resort destination + Aspen second-home market drives substantial HNW patient flow. Senior Steadman + Aspen Valley Hospital + Vail Health orthopedic sports surgeons clear $565-945K+ TC including HNW concierge practice premiums. UCHealth Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora is the country's largest single academic medical campus by acreage (~230 acres, ~30K employees on-campus) housing UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital + Children's Hospital Colorado + Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado + the CU Anschutz Medical School. The CO 4.25% flat tax (post-HB22-1015 phase-down, lower than peer-state IN 2.95%+counties combined 5%) plus TABOR refunds returning $400-1,200 in good years plus 0.55% effective property tax (third-lowest in US per CO Prop 117 cap) makes CO one of the most favorable senior-surgeon tax states. No estate tax. Substantial outdoor + lifestyle premium drives senior physician relocation from CA + IL + MN.
Sources & Methodology
- →IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 — 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction
- →IRS Notice 2025-67 — 2026 retirement-plan contribution limits
- →IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-19 — 2026 HSA contribution limits
- →Social Security Administration — 2026 Social Security wage base
- →DR 0104 Individual Income Tax Booklet (CO Department of Revenue)
- →BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — Surgeon wage data for Colorado
Salary figures are market estimates for Surgeons in Colorado and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Colorado 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.
Run your own numbers
- Colorado paycheck calculator → · 401(k), HSA, dependents
- Bonus calculator → · year-end, sign-on, retention
- 1099 tax calculator → · self-employment tax 15.3%
- Capital-gains calculator → · long-term rates, NIIT, state tax
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