National Occupational Classification (NOC): 31101
Fast Facts
- Average Pay: N/A
- Future Growth: N/A
- Skill Level: N/A
- Employment Size: N/A
- Unemployment: N/A
- Full-time Share: N/A
Sample Job Titles
- Cardiac surgeon
- Eye specialist
- General surgeon
- Gynecologist
- Obstetrician-gynecologist
- Orthopedic surgeon
- Pediatric surgeon
- Vascular surgeon
What do specialists in surgery do?
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
General surgeons
- Treat diseases, injuries, and deformities by invasive, minimally-invasive, or non-invasive surgical methods, such as using instruments, appliances, or by manual manipulation.
Obstetricians and gynecologists
- Provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth. Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases of women, particularly those affecting the reproductive system. May also provide general medical care to women. May perform both medical and gynecological surgery functions.
Ophthalmologists
- Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries of the eyes and related structures.
Urologists
- Diagnose, treat, and help prevent benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the renal glands.
Other specialists in surgery
- Assess patients’ diseases or disorders to determine appropriate surgical procedures
- Perform and supervise surgical procedures to correct physical abnormalities and deficiencies and repair injuries
- Act as consultants to other physicians.
Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada
Specialists in surgery work primarily in the following subsectors (NAICS) in Newfoundland and Labrador:
- 622 hospitals
- 621 ambulatory health care services
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
Short and Long Term Occupational Projections
Short Term Projections for 2025-2027
The employment outlook will be very good for Specialists in surgery (NOC 31101) in Newfoundland and Labrador (rating of 5 out of 5) for the 2025-2027 period.
Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada
Number of Job Postings in 2025
During 2025, there were 6 public job postings for this occupation, with the following distribution:
| Avalon: 33% | Western: 17% |
| Eastern: 0% | Labrador: 17% |
| Central: 17% | NL-unspecified: 17% |
Source: Vicinity Jobs (note: data used in this analysis reflects new unique monthly postings which are totaled for the calendar year)
Who works as specialists in surgery in Newfoundland and Labrador?
During the reference week of May 2021, there were approximately 170 people working in this occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador. 57% of those employed were Male+ and 42% of those employed were Female+.
Here is the age group breakdown for this group of workers:
| 15 to 24 | 25 to 54 | 55 to 64 | 65+ |
| 0% | 74% | 21% | 6% |
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
How much do specialists in surgery make?
The median employment income for all specialists in surgery in the reference year 2020 (155 workers in total, including those working part-time and full-time, as well as part-year and full-year) was $196,000.
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
Annual Earnings
Salary information for specialists in surgery in Newfoundland and Labrador:
| Low ($/year) | Median ($/year) | High ($/year) | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $143,704 | $434,053 | $699,989 |
Salary information for specialists in surgery in Canada:
| Low ($/year) | Median ($/year) | High ($/year) |
| $144,482 | $419,180 | $766,730 |
Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada
Most Frequently Sought Skills from Job Postings (2025)
- English language
- Long term care
- Childcare
- Family centered care
- Leadership
- Teamwork
Source: Vicinity Jobs
What training is required?
- A bachelor’s degree or in Quebec, completion of a college program and one year of pre-medicine university studies is usually required.
- Graduation from an approved medical school and specific specialty training are required.
- Completion of the certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and licensing by the provincial or territorial licensing authority are required.
- Five to six years of specialty residency training are required.
- Two years of subspecialty training may also be required.
Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada
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