Analysis of Orthopaedic Job Availability in the United States Based on Subspecialty

The number of orthopaedic residency graduates pursuing additional subspecialty training has increased along with the percentage of advertised jobs requiring fellowship. As such, the implications of fellowship training on job availability and marketability may impact their choice of subspecialty. The purpose of this study was to evaluate job availability in the United States for general orthopaedics and orthopaedic subspecialties.

Job advertisements in 2019 were reviewed from the career center databases of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, as well as of individual subspecialty societies. Job listings were cross referenced to identify unique jobs within the United States, which were categorized by the orthopaedic training required, practice type, and location. To assess job availability, a ratio of fellows to job listings was calculated based on the number of matched candidates for nine subspecialty fellowships and the number of residency graduates entering general practice in 2019.

A total of 466 unique job listings were identified with 114 generalist and 352 subspecialist positions. The subspecialties with the lowest number of fellows per advertised job were foot and ankle (1.1), adult reconstruction (2.0), and trauma (2.1). The subspecialties with the highest number of fellows per advertised job were sports medicine (6.3), shoulder and elbow (5.8), and oncology (5.7). Job availability for general orthopaedics was higher than for any subspecialty. The highest percentage of positions advertised were hospital employed jobs compared with private practice and academic positions.

Job availability for fellowship graduates varies notably based on orthopaedic subspecialty. At this time, generalists and subspecialists trained in foot and ankle, adult reconstruction, and trauma seem to be in greatest demand. The reason for the differences in demand is likely multifactorial. Our findings should be considered by orthopaedic residents pursuing fellowship training in addition to weighing both personal interest and financial considerations in their subspecialty choice.