Pros and Cons of Being a Trauma Surgeon
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Trauma surgeons perform emergency surgery on patients suffering from acute illnesses or injuries. These surgeons are licensed physicians and usually work in hospital emergency rooms. Trauma surgeons can earn high salaries, but often work long, erratic work schedules. Read on for more information about the benefits and drawbacks of a career as a trauma surgeon.
| Pros of a Career as a Trauma Surgeon |
|---|
| Potential for high pay; in May 2014, surgeons made an average of $240,440 annually* |
| Potentially high demand for these surgeons; the number of medical students interested in a surgical career is declining** |
| Challenging work environment; surgeons must combine specialized knowledge with a broad set of skills*** |
| Cons of a Career as a Trauma Surgeon |
|---|
| Surgeons often work longer hours than doctors in other medical fields*** |
| Extensive education required; surgeons usually must complete at least six years of training* |
| Trauma surgeons work long, erratic work hours, often at night**** |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; **Article in American Journal of Surgery, 2010; ***Stanford Report, Stanford University; ****The Journal of Lancaster General Hospital.
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