A surface-emitting semiconductor laser component, in particular an electrically pumped semiconductor laser component, featuring emission in a vertical direction. The component is provided for the generation of laser radiation by means of an external optical resonator (4, 5). The component comprises a semiconductor body with a semiconductor layer sequence (2) having a lateral main direction of extension and an active zone (3) provided for generation of radiation. A radiation-transmissive contact layer (6) is arranged within the resonator and is electrically conductively connected to the semiconductor body.