Schooling. Becoming an orthopedic surgeon typically requires eight years of schooling, although some schools offer accelerated programs. The first four years are spent in earning a pre-medical degree.These are bachelor of science programs designed to meet the prerequisites for admission into a medical or osteopathic college.ts median salary for pediatric orthopedic surgeons was $425,000, while hand and wrist surgeons reported median salaries of $476,039 per year. Joint replacement surgeons enjoyed a median income of $605,953 per year, and spinal surgeons topped the list at $688,503 per year.