Are you wondering what is the salary of a plastic surgeon is? Then you are not alone. An increase in life expectancy and prevalence of cosmetic surgery has made this an interesting niche for those who wants to delve into surgical care. There are many aspects to consider when thinking about becoming a plastic surgeon, from job outlook and salary that makes it an easy choice.
It’s no surprise that plastic surgeons are in high demand. A top notch professional in this sector can make between 464,000-419,000 per year if they’re practicing alone. With 10 years of experience and thousands of satisfied clients, who wouldn’t want to be a plastic surgeon?
Most people involved in a career like medicine or law choose their profession because they want to make people’s lives better. They do it because they’re motivated to help other people, and they’re driven by working with their hands and mind. However, for some occupations, you have to have a little bit of luck too. Sometimes the key is knowing just where to start the search. That’s why this article is especially helpful.
Salary For Plastic Surgeon Overview
You’re likely to hear a lot of different numbers thrown around when it comes to the salary of a plastic surgeon. Some people say plastic surgeons make millions of dollars per year, while others say it’s closer to half a million. The truth is that there are many factors involved in determining how much a plastic surgeon makes—but we can help you get some idea of what you can expect based on your location and experience level.
Let’s start with an overview of how much plastic surgeons make overall in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). According to their May 2016 report, the average annual salary for all surgeons was $284,980, or $110 per hour. That number is pretty consistent across most specialties: orthopedic surgeons make about $283,000; general surgeons earn about $284,000; and cardiovascular surgeons make about $288,000.
When it comes to specific job titles within each specialty area, though, there’s a bit more variation in pay levels between different positions within each field—and that’s where things get tricky when trying to determine exactly how much money you’ll earn as a plastic surgeon. For example:
-Anesthesiologists made
What Is a Plastic Surgeon?
A plastic surgeon is a doctor who specializes in performing plastic surgical operations. They diagnose patients, recommend treatments, and perform operations such as reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery and microsurgery. For these treatments, they work closely with other medical professionals, such as surgical assistants, operating room technicians and nurses. After the procedure, they follow up with patients to monitor recovery. There are also some plastic surgeons who conduct research in topics such as human tissue aging, wound healing and innovative bandaging.
The following chart provides an overview about becoming a plastic surgeon.
Degree Required | Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) |
Training Required | 5 to 7 year residency in general and plastic surgery |
Licensure or Certification | All states require doctors to be licensed; board certification in plastic surgery is available |
Key Responsibilities | Examine, evaluate and diagnose patient deformities caused by accident, disease or congenital abnormalities; restore normal function and appearance by performing surgical procedures to correct abnormalities and deformities |
Job Growth (2020-2030) | -3%* for all surgeons |
Median Salary (2021) | $407,843** |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), **Salary.com
What Will I Do as a Plastic Surgeon?
Plastic surgery covers different types of reconstructive and cosmetic techniques. Reconstruction surgeons restore form and function to areas of the body affected by injury, illness or birth defect. Microsurgeons reconnect donor nerves, muscles and blood vessels. Hand surgeons treat acute and chronic hand and upper limb issues. Craniofacial surgeons repair face and head birth defects; and oral and maxiollofacial surgeons repair mouth and jaw issues. Cosmetic surgery improves the body’s aesthetics. In addition to performing surgical procedures, as a plastic surgeon, you can research the impact of aging and illness on tissue, cellular healing techniques and improved bandage treatments.
What Training Will I Need?
There are two types of plastic surgery residency programs – independent and integrated models. Training to be a plastic surgeon takes five to seven years. Before you can apply to the independent model, you must complete a minimum of three years of clinical general surgery training in the same program with increasing responsibility. If you have already completed satisfactory training and are eligible for certification in neurological, orthopaedic, otolaryngology, thoracic or urology surgery, you may apply for a plastic surgery residency. Once your prerequisites are completed, you will receive two or three years of plastic surgery training, during one of which you must act as chief or senior.
If you have completed your medical or osteopathic degree in the United States or Canada and choose an integrated residency program, you will complete five or six years of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited plastic surgery training. Accredited curriculum will include no less than two years of plastic surgery training, and at least one year of chief or senior plastic surgery responsibility.
What Are the Weekly Earnings for a Plastic Surgeon?
Depending on their specialization, plastic surgeons perform elective cosmetic procedures, such as facelifts or reconstructive surgical repairs for medical reasons. Plastic surgery requires artistry, hands-on skills and years of intensive training beyond medical school. A career in plastic surgery is the way to go if you’re looking for a lucrative medical specialization that will offset the cost of medical school and provide the highest salaries in medicine.
Plastic Surgeon Job Description
The day-to-day work of a plastic surgeon entails examining patients, doing hospital rounds, responding to emergencies and performing complex surgeries. Cosmetic plastic surgeons work with patients seeking to enhance their appearance by making aesthetic changes to facial features, breast size, saggy skin or shape of the abdomen. Reconstructive plastic surgeons specialize in procedures that can correct abnormalities caused by congenital birth defects, injuries or disease conditions. They repair cleft lips, deviated septums and facial reconstruction after a car accident, for example.
Plastic Surgeon Education Requirements
The path to becoming a plastic surgeon is long and difficult, starting with rigorous STEM classes in college. Pre-med students must have a high GPA and competitive scores on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) to earn a coveted spot in medical school. Becoming a medical doctor or a doctor of osteopathic medicine entails four years of classroom and clinical instruction.
After completing medical school, aspiring plastic surgeons can either complete an integrated training program that requires three years of general surgery and three years of plastic surgery residency, or a five-year general surgery residency followed by a three-year plastic surgery residency, as explained by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, or ABCS. Many also complete a fellowship and board certification in a specialty such as cosmetic surgery.
Plastic Surgeon Salary Comparisons
As of May 2020, surgeons in the U.S. earned an average salary of $251,650 per year, significantly more than family practitioners and pediatricians who earned $214,360 and $184,570 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Plastic surgeons generally earn even more than general surgeons. The Economic Research Institute estimates that plastic surgeons average $444,570 or $8,549 per week.
Medscape conducted a salary survey of 17,903 physicians in 29 specialties between October 2020 and February 2021 and determined that plastic surgeons earned an annual salary of $526,000, or $10,115 per week, more than any other specialization. The next highest-paid specialties were orthopedics, cardiology and urology where yearly earnings averaged $511,000, $459,000 and $427,000, respectively.
Plastic Surgery Industry
Plastic surgeons perform difficult surgical procedures, sometimes using a microscope to work on delicate nerves and blood vessels. There is no room for error because mistakes can result in disfiguration or even death, often with ensuing lawsuits. When operations go well, patients can be very appreciative of the result. Medscape reports that plastic surgeons consider helping patients and being good at their job even more rewarding than making money.
Years of Experience
Experience, board certification and reputation are among the factors that affect a plastic surgeon’s earning income potential. Salary Expert reports that entry-level plastic surgeons average $293,975 per year, or $5,653 per week as of 2021. After three years, salary jumps to $444,570 per year, or $8,549 per week. Top-notch plastic surgeons with eight or more years of experience report earnings of $596,544 or more per year, or $11,472 per week.
Plastic Surgeon Growth
The BLS projects that jobs for physicians and surgeons will increase by 4 percent through 2029, which is on par with the expected growth of all occupations combined. Interest in plastic surgery may mirror that upward trend as active baby boomers seek cosmetic enhancements like facelifts to keep up a fresh appearance. Bloomberg reports growing demand for butt implants, pectoral implants and reconstructive surgery to repair injuries from dog bites.
Plastic Surgeon Salary
Plastic surgeons employed in the United States typically earn salaries in the range from $76,819 to $510,283 a year including bonuses and contributions from profit sharing according to the salary information provided by Payscale. The yearly bonuses amount to up to $98,542, and earnings from profit sharing are generally in the range from $1,021 to $99,683 a year.
Plastic surgeons are among the best paid professionals in the United States, with an average annual salary of $264,000, and top salaries amounting to up to $527,000 a year according to a report from CNN Money. The 10-year job growth for this occupation is estimated at 24.4%.
Average salary
The average salary for plastic surgeons employed in the United States is $340,080 a year according to Salary.com, $248,708 a year according to Payscale’s salary data, and $317,000 a year according to Medscape’s 2013 Plastic Surgeon Compensation Report.
Plastic surgeon salaries vary significantly depending on geographical location. Professionals employed in the Northwest region have the highest salaries, around $495,000 a year, followed by surgeons based in the West, who earn $408,000 a year.
Plastic surgeons working in the Southwest make $355,000 a year on average, those in the Great Lakes region are paid around $337,000 a year, and professionals in the North Central region make $325,000 a year on average according to Medscape’s salary report. Plastic surgeons based in the Mid-Atlantic region are paid $324,000 a year on average, while those working in the North East have an average annual salary of $302,000.
The lowest salaries for plastic surgeons are in the South Central region, where the median yearly pay for this occupation is $264,000, and in the Southeast, where these professionals earn $220,000 a year on average according to Medscape.
Medscape’s 2013 Plastic Surgeon Compensation Report shows that men earn $331,000 a year on average, while women are paid a median annual salary of $239,000.
Plastic surgeons’ annual pay also varies depending on work setting. Plastic surgeons working in multispecialty group practices have the best salaries, $493,000 a year on average, followed by professionals employed by healthcare organizations, who earn $355,000 a year on average. The median yearly salary for surgeons working in a solo practice is $332,000, while professionals employed in single-specialty group practices are paid $318,000 a year on average. Plastic surgeons employed at hospitals make $261,000 a year on average, while professionals working in an academic setting are paid an average yearly salary of $255,000 according to Medscape’s report.
Work situation is another significant factor that can affect a plastic surgeon’s salary. Professionals who are partners in their organization have the top salaries, $412,000 a year on average, followed by owners of solo practices, who make $324,000 a year on average. Plastic surgeons who are employees at their organization are paid an average annual income of $274,000 according to Medscape.
Starting salary
The starting salary for plastic surgeons with less than a year of experience in the field is generally in the range between $80,000 and $275,000 a year including bonuses and profit sharing according to the salary data provided by Payscale. Plastic surgeons in their first year earn $3,000 a year in bonuses.
Salary range
Plastic surgeon salaries depend on a number of factors, including years of experience. Professionals with 1 to 4 years of experience generally make between $46,602 and $375,000 a year including bonuses and profit sharing, and those with 5 to 9 years of experience are typically paid between $95,943 and $504,493 annually. Plastic surgeons with 10 to 19 years of experience under their belt report annual salaries in the range from $100,000 to $799,992 a year, and those with 20 or more years of experience have an annual pay in the range from $65,000 to $850,000 a year according to the salary figures from Payscale.
Board Certified Surgeons report an annual income in the range from $90,604 to $521,479. Men generally earn between $64,111 and $505,314 a year, while women report yearly earnings in the range between $45,958 and $782,971 according to Payscale. Graduates of the Harvard Medical Schools generally earn between $99,159 and $235,832 annually.
The yearly bonuses also depend on a variety of factors, including professional experience. Plastic surgeons with 1 to 4 years of experience get $9,787 a year on average, and those with 5 to 9 years of experience are paid around $5,034 in bonuses. Surgeons with 10 to 19 years of experience get $19,518 a year, and those with 20 or more years of experience report average bonuses in the amount of $2,000 a year according to Payscale’s salary data.
Plastic surgeons also report significant annual earnings from profit sharing. Professionals with 1 to 4 years of experience are typically paid around $8,500 a year, those with 5 to 9 years of experience get $7,250 a year on average, and plastic surgeons with 10 to 19 years of experience get $44,000 a year on average in contributions from profit sharing.
Along with the basic salary, bonuses, and profit sharing, plastic surgeons can also earn commissions. Professionals with 1 to 4 years of experience report earning $34,000 a year on average in commissions.
Medscape’s 2013 Plastic Surgeon Compensation Report reveals that the highest percentage of plastic surgeons (19%) earn annual salaries in the range from $200,000 to $250,000. 11% of the professionals included in the survey earn $100,000 a year or less, while 3% report making $700,000 annually or more. On the lower end of the scale, 2% of plastic surgeons earn between $100,000 and $150,000 a year, and a further 2% report yearly earnings in the range from $150,000 and $200,000.
On the higher end of the scale, 5% of the plastic surgeons surveyed report earning between $650,000 and $700,000 a year, and 1% of them report their annual salaries to be in the range from $600,000 to $650,000. 5% of the surgeons earn between $500,000 and $600,000 a year, and 3% have salaries in the range from $450,000 to $500,000 a year. 12% of plastic surgeons make between $400,000 and $450,000 a year, and 8% make between $350,000 and $400,000 annually. 17% of plastic surgeons are paid between $300,000 and $400,000 annually, and 12% of these professionals report a yearly pay in the range between $250,000 and $300,000 according to Medscape’s salary report.
Benefits
Along with the annual salary, plastic surgeons usually get a variety of benefits, and their benefits packages can reflect their yearly income.
Plastic surgeons who get 401(k) plans typically make between $63,616 and $721,294 a year, those who get malpractice and liability insurance generally earn between $30,913 and $514,449 annually, and professionals who get life and disability insurance report a yearly pay in the range from $96,958 to $810,931 according to Payscale’s salary figures.
Plastic surgeons who get paid holidays and vacations generally earn between $98,633 and $506,837 a year, and those who get paid sick leave as part of their benefits package report yearly earnings in the range from $117,446 to $714,900. Professionals who have a company pension plan typically make between $65,436 and $411,223 annually, and those who get reimbursement for training, tuition, certification, or education are generally paid between $30,201 and $794,627 annually according to Payscale.
The most popular benefits among plastic surgeons are 401(k) plans, malpractice and liability insurance, paid vacations and holidays, life and disability insurance, and paid sick leave.
Salary by state
Plastic surgeons’ salaries can vary significantly from state to state. For example, professionals employed in California typically have salaries in the range from $97,353 to $473,436 a year, those working in New York generally make between $36,492 and $789,053, and surgeons based in Florida report annual salaries in the range from $25,342 to $887,693. Plastic surgeons based in Texas generally earn between $90,604 and $521,479 a year, and those working in Pennsylvania are typically paid between $165,932 and $356,078 a year according to Payscale’s salary information.
Salary by city
The average salary range for plastic surgeons can also varies from city to city. For instance, surgeons based in Beverly Hills typically make between $80,000 and $358,000 a year, and those working in the Los Angeles area report yearly income in the range from $118,359 to $709,572. Plastic surgeons based in San Francisco typically earn between $42,500 and $350,000 annually, while professionals working in New York generally make between $35,234 and $817,021 a year according to Payscale.
Hourly wage
Plastic surgeons who are employed at hospitals typically earn between $33 and $60 per hour according to the salary information provided by Payscale.
Other income factors
The number of professionals employed by the plastic surgeon’s organization is another factor that can affect this professional’s salary. For example, plastic surgeons who work for organizations that employ 1 to 9 professionals typically earn between $97,871 and $721,294 a year, while those working for organizations that employ 10 to 49 professionals report an annual pay in the range from $294,791 to $813,892 according to Payscale’s salary statistics.
A plastic surgeon’s salary can also depend on hospital setting. Professionals employed at general hospitals typically earn from $93,653 to $410,224 annually, while those working at physicians’ offices and private practices make between $43,359 and $721,294 annually. Plastic surgeons who work in ambulatory care or surgery centers report annual earnings in the range from $180,000 to $368,110 according to Payscale’s salary data.
In terms of industry, plastic surgeons working in the health care sector report salaries in the range from $90,000 to $700,000 a year, and those working at medical offices typically make between $94,333 and $384,564 annually. Professionals working at hospitals earn between $126,045 and $515,210 a year, and those working in the plastic surgery industry are generally paid between $42,500 and $492,605 a year according to Payscale.
Plastic surgeons’ salaries can also vary depending on employer type. Plastic surgeons working at hospitals make between $62,400 and $400,000 a year, and those employed by private practices and firms report earnings in the range from $95,943 to $797,325 a year. Professionals employed by companies are generally paid between $24,468 and $582,133 a year, while surgeons who are self-employed typically earn between $97,290 and $416,777 a year according to salary information from Payscale.