What Does a Colorectal Surgeon Do?

A colorectal surgeon diagnoses and treats diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus, including conditions that may need surgery. The surgeon evaluates symptoms and test results, then recommends a treatment plan that may involve monitoring, other nonsurgical care, or an operation. When surgery is appropriate, the surgeon plans and performs it while considering the patient’s health and the effect on bowel function. The surgeon also monitors recovery and uses examination and pathology findings to guide follow-up care. This work helps hospitals and practices provide specialized treatment in coordination with other clinicians.

What Is a Colorectal Surgeon?

A colorectal surgeon is a physician who specializes in evaluating and treating conditions of the colon, rectum, and anus. The work includes surgical treatment, but not every patient needs an operation. The surgeon reviews the patient’s symptoms, medical history, examination, and test results to decide whether surgery or another approach is suitable.

These specialists treat colorectal cancer and precancerous growths as well as benign conditions such as diverticular disease, bowel obstruction, rectal prolapse, and some persistent anorectal problems. They may work with gastroenterologists, oncologists, pathologists, nurses, and other clinicians. For example, a gastroenterologist may identify a lesion during colonoscopy, while the surgeon assesses whether it needs surgical removal and how treatment should be planned.

What Are the Main Responsibilities of a Colorectal Surgeon?

A central responsibility is to determine the cause and seriousness of a patient’s problem. The surgeon asks about symptoms such as bleeding, pain, or changes in bowel habits and reviews relevant medical history. A physical examination may include a digital rectal examination. Depending on the suspected condition, the surgeon may review colonoscopy findings, imaging, laboratory results, or a tissue sample examined by a pathologist.

After interpreting the findings, the surgeon discusses treatment options with the patient. Some conditions can be monitored or managed without surgery. If an operation may offer a meaningful benefit, the surgeon weighs its risks against the patient’s health, the disease’s location and extent, and the likely effect on bowel function. For cancer, treatment planning may involve coordination with an oncologist and other specialists.

When surgery is selected, the surgeon chooses an appropriate approach and explains what the procedure may involve. An operation may remove a small abnormal area or a larger section of bowel. The surgeon may reconnect the remaining bowel when it is safe, or create a temporary or permanent stoma if that is the safer option. The surgeon also responds to complications and reviews pathology findings that may affect follow-up treatment.

What Does a Colorectal Surgeon Do on a Daily Basis?

A typical day may begin with reviewing patient records, test results, and the operating schedule. In clinic, the surgeon sees patients referred for symptoms or abnormal findings. The surgeon takes a focused history, examines the patient when appropriate, and explains whether further tests or treatment are needed. If surgery is being considered, the discussion covers the purpose of the operation and its potential effects on recovery and bowel function.

On an operating day, the surgeon and care team confirm the procedure and prepare the patient. The surgeon performs the operation and communicates with the team about findings and next steps. Afterward, the surgeon checks on patients recovering in the hospital and considers pain control, wound healing, and return of bowel activity. The schedule may also include follow-up visits or urgent assessments, and some surgeons take call for emergency cases.

What Skills Does a Colorectal Surgeon Need?

Surgical precision is essential when removing diseased tissue or working in the confined space of the pelvis. The surgeon must adjust technique to the patient’s anatomy and the extent of disease while protecting nearby structures. Sound clinical judgment is also important: a test result must be interpreted alongside symptoms and overall health, rather than treated as a decision by itself.

Communication helps patients make informed choices about treatment. A surgeon may need to explain why monitoring is reasonable in one case but surgery is recommended in another. Teamwork matters when care involves an oncologist, gastroenterologist, nurses, or stoma-care professionals. The surgeon also needs to stay attentive during long procedures and respond calmly when an unexpected finding changes the plan.

How Much Does a Colorectal Surgeon Earn?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report a separate wage figure for colorectal surgeons. Its latest relevant broad category reports a median annual wage of $275,930 for physicians and surgeons in May 2025. This figure covers a broad occupational group, so it is not a specialty-specific estimate of colorectal surgeon pay.

What Is the Career Progression for a Colorectal Surgeon?

In the United States, the path typically begins with a bachelor’s degree and medical school, followed by residency training in surgery and further focused training in colon and rectal surgery. The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes a medical degree and residency training as typical for physicians and surgeons, with additional training varying by specialty. Physicians also need a state license to practice. Specialty certification is separate from licensure and depends on the relevant training and certification pathway.

After training, a colorectal surgeon may join a hospital, health system, academic medical center, or private practice. With experience, surgeons may take on leadership in a clinical service, teach trainees, or participate in research, depending on their workplace. Their day-to-day practice can vary: some focus more on cancer care, while others treat a broader mix of colorectal and anorectal conditions.

How Contingent Workforce Management Helps Businesses Hire Colorectal Surgeons

Contingent workforce management services help organizations arrange and administer time-limited worker engagements. A hospital may need a colorectal surgeon to cover a defined period of leave or a temporary gap in its surgical service. Because the assignment may include scheduled operations and patient follow-up, the hospital needs a clear scope and a reliable plan for handoffs. If the organization has already selected a surgeon, hiring the worker directly and using third-party payrolling can be a lower-cost alternative to using a staffing agency.

TCWGlobal helps companies manage contingent workers in this role through payrolling and workforce support. When a company has chosen the surgeon, payrolling can support the assignment’s employment administration and pay without requiring the company to use an agency to find the candidate. That can save the company money by avoiding agency sourcing costs and reduce administrative work related to managing the temporary engagement.