How much does a Surgeon make in Colorado?

The average Surgeon salary in Colorado is around $540,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Colorado state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $342,485 annually ($28,540/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Surgeon in Colorado?

On a $540,000 salary in Colorado, your take-home pay is approximately $342,485/year or $28,540/month. Federal tax: $152,134. State tax: $23,052. FICA: $0.00.

Is $540,000 a good Surgeon salary?

$540,000 is a strong salary for a Surgeon — above the national median. In Colorado, Growing tech, aerospace, and outdoor recreation industries.

How do Colorado taxes affect Surgeon salaries?

Colorado levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $540,000 is $23,052. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 36.6%.

What are the career growth prospects for Surgeons?

3% growth projected 2022-2032 (slower than average) overall — but specific subspecialties (cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, plastic, transplant, pediatric subspecialty) face severe shortage with 8-15 year supply lag from training pipeline. Aging Boomer demographic = sustained surgical volume through 2035+. AI/robotics augment but do not replace operative judgment in the 10-year window.. Related roles include: Anesthesiologist, Orthopedic Surgeon, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Neurosurgeon, Plastic Surgeon, Vascular Surgeon, General Surgeon, Trauma Surgeon, Transplant Surgeon, Pediatric Surgical Subspecialist, Surgical Oncologist.

How can a Surgeon in Colorado reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Healthcare

Surgeon Salary in Colorado (2026)

The average Surgeon in Colorado earns around $540,000/year. After taxes, your estimated take-home is $342,485/year ($28,540/month).

Take-Home Pay Breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$342,485
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$28,540
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$13,173
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$165/hr
Federal Tax	$152,134
State Tax	$23,052
FICA Taxes	$22,329
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	36.58%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

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Surgeon Salary Ranges in Colorado

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$410,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$540,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$950,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

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).

Cardiothoracic Surgeon (CT)

$545,000–$895,000+ TC

UCHealth Anschutz CT · HealthONE Swedish · Centura Penrose St. Francis · academic + private practice mix

Neurosurgeon

$545,000–$885,000+ TC

UCHealth Anschutz Neurosurgery · Boulder Neurosurgical Associates · HealthONE · complex spine + cerebrovascular

Orthopedic Surgeon (Sports / Joint Replacement)

$525,000–$885,000

Steadman Philippon Vail (sports medicine destination) · UCHealth Ortho · Panorama Orthopedics Golden

Trauma Surgeon

$515,000–$855,000

Denver Health Level 1 trauma · UCHealth Anschutz Level 1 · 24/7 high acuity premium

General / Colorectal Surgeon

$385,000–$625,000

UCHealth + HealthONE + Centura · senior community-hospital private practice · robotic specialty

Transplant Surgeon

$535,000–$895,000

UCHealth Anschutz Transplant program · multi-organ specialty · academic leadership track

Urologic Surgeon

$415,000–$685,000

UCHealth Urology · Urology Associates of Denver · robotic prostatectomy + uro-oncology premium

Pediatric Surgeon

$475,000–$745,000

Children's Hospital Colorado (top-10 nationally ranked) · pediatric subspecialty academic premium

Plastic Surgeon (Reconstructive)

$435,000–$745,000

UCHealth Plastic · Children's Colorado reconstructive · Denver private cosmetic market

Senior Surgical Fellow (PGY-6 to PGY-8+)

$80,000–$96,000

UCHealth Anschutz + Children's Colorado surgical fellowship programs · PGY scale plus call

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.

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Surgeon Salary in Other States

Surgeon Salary in California →Surgeon Salary in Texas →Surgeon Salary in New York →Surgeon Salary in Florida →Surgeon Salary in Washington →$540,000 salary in Colorado →

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Tax brackets, standard deductions, and take-home estimates for Colorado in 2026.

Colorado Paycheck Calculator →

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