In an optically pumpable surface-emitting semiconductor laser device with a vertical emitter with a radiation-generating active layer, at least one modulation radiation source for modulating the output power of the surface-emitting semiconductor device is provided. The modulation radiation source is formed by an edge-emitting semiconductor structure with an active layer, and which is disposed such that during operation it radiates into the radiation-generating active layer of the vertical emitter. This produces an easily modulatable surface-emitting laser source of high power and high beam quality. A pumping radiation source for optically pumping the active layer of the vertical emitter is preferably provided in the semiconductor laser device.