How Much Does Spinal Fusion Surgery Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
What Does Spinal Fusion Surgery Include?
Spinal fusion permanently joins two or more vertebrae to eliminate motion between them, reducing pain caused by degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, fractures, or spinal instability. It's a major surgery with significant recovery time.
The national average cost for spinal fusion surgery is $60,000 per procedure. Most homeowners pay between $30,000 and $100,000, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
Scope
Single-level fusion: $30,000-$60,000. Two-level: $50,000-$80,000. Multi-level (3+): $80,000-$150,000
Facility
Hospital: $50,000-$100,000+. Ambulatory surgery center: $30,000-$50,000
Insurance
With insurance: $5,000-$15,000 out-of-pocket (deductible + coinsurance). Without: full price negotiable to 40-60% discount
Key Cost Factors
- ✓Number of vertebrae fused
- ✓Surgical approach (anterior, posterior, lateral)
- ✓Implant hardware type
- ✓Hospital vs surgery center
- ✓Insurance type
- ✓Surgeon experience
- ✓Complications
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Get a second opinion — studies show 50-70% of recommended spinal fusions may have non-surgical alternatives
- 2.Negotiate with the hospital billing department — self-pay or underinsured patients can often reduce bills 40-60%
- 3.Ambulatory surgery centers cost 40-60% less than hospitals for eligible cases
- 4.Exhaust conservative treatments first (physical therapy, injections, medications) — many respond to non-surgical approaches
📈 Spinal Fusion Surgery Cost Trends (2020–2024)
Prices have increased +17.7% over the last 5 years
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $50,964 | — |
| 2021 | $53,104 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $56,556 | +6.5% |
| 2023 | $58,140 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $60,000 | +3.2% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
Spinal Fusion Surgery Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by state due to labor rates, cost of living, and local market conditions. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $24,600 | $49,200 | $82,000 |
| Alaska | $38,400 | $76,800 | $128,000 |
| Arizona | $28,500 | $57,000 | $95,000 |
| Arkansas | $24,000 | $48,000 | $80,000 |
| California | $40,500 | $81,000 | $135,000 |
| Colorado | $32,400 | $64,800 | $108,000 |
| Connecticut | $36,600 | $73,200 | $122,000 |
| Delaware | $31,500 | $63,000 | $105,000 |
| Florida | $29,400 | $58,800 | $98,000 |
| Georgia | $27,000 | $54,000 | $90,000 |
| Hawaii | $42,600 | $85,200 | $142,000 |
| Idaho | $27,600 | $55,200 | $92,000 |
| Illinois | $31,500 | $63,000 | $105,000 |
| Indiana | $26,400 | $52,800 | $88,000 |
| Iowa | $25,800 | $51,600 | $86,000 |
| Kansas | $25,500 | $51,000 | $85,000 |
| Kentucky | $25,200 | $50,400 | $84,000 |
| Louisiana | $26,100 | $52,200 | $87,000 |
| Maine | $30,600 | $61,200 | $102,000 |
| Maryland | $34,500 | $69,000 | $115,000 |
| Massachusetts | $39,000 | $78,000 | $130,000 |
| Michigan | $27,600 | $55,200 | $92,000 |
| Minnesota | $30,600 | $61,200 | $102,000 |
| Mississippi | $23,400 | $46,800 | $78,000 |
| Missouri | $26,100 | $52,200 | $87,000 |
| Montana | $28,500 | $57,000 | $95,000 |
| Nebraska | $26,400 | $52,800 | $88,000 |
| Nevada | $30,600 | $61,200 | $102,000 |
| New Hampshire | $33,600 | $67,200 | $112,000 |
| New Jersey | $37,500 | $75,000 | $125,000 |
| New Mexico | $27,000 | $54,000 | $90,000 |
| New York | $39,600 | $79,200 | $132,000 |
| North Carolina | $27,000 | $54,000 | $90,000 |
| North Dakota | $27,000 | $54,000 | $90,000 |
| Ohio | $27,000 | $54,000 | $90,000 |
| Oklahoma | $24,900 | $49,800 | $83,000 |
| Oregon | $33,000 | $66,000 | $110,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,600 | $61,200 | $102,000 |
| Rhode Island | $34,500 | $69,000 | $115,000 |
| South Carolina | $26,100 | $52,200 | $87,000 |
| South Dakota | $25,500 | $51,000 | $85,000 |
| Tennessee | $25,800 | $51,600 | $86,000 |
| Texas | $27,900 | $55,800 | $93,000 |
| Utah | $28,500 | $57,000 | $95,000 |
| Vermont | $32,400 | $64,800 | $108,000 |
| Virginia | $31,500 | $63,000 | $105,000 |
| Washington | $34,500 | $69,000 | $115,000 |
| West Virginia | $24,000 | $48,000 | $80,000 |
| Wisconsin | $28,200 | $56,400 | $94,000 |
| Wyoming | $27,600 | $55,200 | $92,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is spinal fusion recovery?
Hospital stay: 2-4 days. Return to desk work: 4-6 weeks. Return to physical work: 3-6 months. Full fusion and healing: 6-12 months. Some restrictions may be permanent (heavy lifting, high-impact sports).
What is the success rate of spinal fusion?
For appropriate candidates, success rates are 70-90% for pain reduction. However, 20-40% of patients experience 'failed back surgery syndrome' with continued pain. Patient selection is critical — get multiple opinions.
🏙️ Spinal Fusion Surgery Cost by City
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