Plastic surgeons are medical professionals who specialize in the reconstruction, restoration, or alteration of the human body. A plastic surgeon’s salary can vary depending on a number of factors, including where they work, how many years of experience they have, the kind of plastic surgery they do, and the kind of practice they work in. Let us know What are the ‘Salaries For Plastic Surgeons’.
Salaries For Plastic Surgeons
The median annual salary for physicians and surgeons, including plastic surgeons, as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of May 2020 was $208,000. The annual salaries of plastic surgeons range from approximately $105,000 to more than $400,000.
Average salaries for a plastic surgeon
According to the report of the survey conducted by Medscape in 2021, the average annual income for plastic surgeons in the United States was $526,000. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that physicians and surgeons, including plastic surgeons, earned a median annual salary of $208,000.
Their salaries are influenced by factors such as the number of hours worked and the amount of on-call time required, which can be significant in some plastic surgery practices. Additionally, plastic surgeons’ salaries typically vary by region. For example, the BLS’s data show that doctors and surgeons in the big cities of New York and Los Angeles typically get paid more than those in other parts of the country.
Average salaries in different US cities
The following are the mean annual wages for physicians and surgeons, including plastic surgeons, in selected metropolitan areas of the United States, based on data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA: $265,290
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA: $252,970
- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL: $239,600
- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX: $235,450
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI: $234,650
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX: $230,820
- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH: $227,990
- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA: $220,870
- Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ: $216,880
- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA: $215,380
Specializations within Plastic Surgery and their Average Salaries
Plastic surgery is a broad field with many specialties, and the average salary for a plastic surgeon varies according to their area of specialization. According to data from the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), the following are some of the most common specialties within plastic surgery, as well as their average salaries:
- Aesthetic/cosmetic plastic surgery: Aesthetic or cosmetic plastic surgeons use surgical or non-surgical procedures to improve the appearance of a patient’s face, body, or skin. The average annual salary for an aesthetic or cosmetic plastic surgeon is $537,000.
- Reconstructive plastic surgery: Reconstructive plastic surgery focuses on repairing or reconstructing defects in the body that are often caused by injury, disease, or congenital conditions.
The average salary for a reconstructive plastic surgeon is $464,000 per year.
- Hand surgery: Hand surgeons treat conditions that affect the hands, wrists, and forearms, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, fractures, and nerve injuries.
A hand surgeon’s annual salary is $495,000.
- Pediatric plastic surgery: Pediatric plastic surgery is the treatment of children with congenital or acquired deformities such as cleft lip and palate, birthmarks, and hand deformities.
A pediatric plastic surgeon’s annual salary is $410,000.
- Craniofacial surgeons treat conditions affecting the skull and face, such as craniosynostosis (a condition in which the bones of the skull fuse prematurely) and cleft lip and palate.
The average salary for a craniofacial surgeon is $456,000 per year.
Factors that Influence the Salary of a plastic surgeon
A number of factors can affect a plastic surgeon’s salary, including:
- Geographic location: The cost of living, the demand for plastic surgery in the area, and other economic factors can all have an impact on a plastic surgeon’s salary. Plastic surgeons working in major metropolitan areas earn more than those working in rural or less populated areas.
- Type of practice: Plastic surgeons can work in a variety of settings, including private practice, academic medical centers, hospitals, and others. A plastic surgeon’s salary is affected by the type of practice, with those in practice earning more than those in academic or hospital settings.
- Years of experience: The more experience a plastic surgeon has, the higher their salary is likely to be. This is because experienced plastic surgeons have a larger patient base and may have developed specialized skills that make them more valuable to patients and employers.
- Type of plastic surgery: Certain types of plastic surgery, such as reconstructive surgery, may be reimbursed at a higher rate by insurance companies than cosmetic surgery, which can have an impact on a plastic surgeon’s earning potential.
- Board certification: Board-certified plastic surgeons by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or a similar organization may be more highly valued by patients and employers, which can lead to higher salaries.
- Reputation and patient base: A plastic surgeon with a good reputation and a large patient base may be able to charge more for their services, which can affect their overall pay.
- Workload and hours worked: Some plastic surgeons work long hours, have a large patient load, or spend a lot of time on call, which can affect their overall salary.
Strategies for increasing Salary as a plastic surgeon
As a plastic surgeon, there are several options you can look into for increasing your salary, such as,
- Build a solid reputation: By establishing a solid reputation as a skilled and knowledgeable plastic surgeon, you will be able to attract more patients and command higher fees. This can be accomplished by providing excellent patient care, staying current on surgical techniques and technologies, and participating in professional organizations and publications.
- Specializing in a high-demand area of plastic surgery, such as facial reconstruction or breast augmentation, can significantly increase your earning potential. By gaining expertise in a specific area, you can position yourself as the go-to surgeon for that procedure and command higher fees.
- Increase your revenue and overall earnings by expanding your practice to include additional services or procedures, such as non-surgical treatments or skincare services.
- Consider working in a higher-paying geographic area: Salaries for plastic surgeons can vary greatly depending on location. To increase your earning potential, consider working in a higher-paying area, such as a major metropolitan city.
- Negotiate your salary: If you work for a hospital or another medical organization, make sure to negotiate your salary and benefits package to ensure you are fairly compensated for your skills and experience.
Additional Perks of being a plastic surgeon
Being a plastic surgeon offers many benefits other than just a salary. Here are a few of them,
- Job satisfaction: Working in plastic surgery can be a very rewarding profession because you get to help patients achieve their desired appearance and boost their confidence and self-esteem.
- Flexibility: Because many plastic surgeons are self-employed or work in private practice, they have more freedom over their work schedule and patient load.
- Prestige: Plastic surgery is often regarded as a prestigious and respected profession, with plastic surgeons in high demand for their expertise and knowledge.
- Continuing education: As a plastic surgeon, you must stay current on the latest surgical techniques and technologies, which may entail attending continuing education courses and conferences. This could be a chance for professional development and networking.
- Collaboration with other specialists: Working closely with other medical professionals such as dermatologists, oncologists, and oral surgeons are common in plastic surgery. This can open up possibilities for collaboration and learn from other experts.
- Travel opportunities: Some plastic surgeons may be able to travel to other locations to perform surgeries or attend conferences, which can provide the opportunity to see new places and cultures.
Conclusion
Last but not least, plastic surgery is a specialized and well-respected field that can provide substantial financial rewards as well as a variety of other perks and benefits. Building a strong reputation, specializing in high-demand areas, expanding your practice, considering higher-paying geographic locations, and negotiating your salary and benefits package are all strategies for increasing your salary as a plastic surgeon. Job satisfaction, flexibility, prestige, continuing education, collaboration with other specialists, and travel opportunities are also advantages of being a plastic surgeon. While the field requires a significant investment of time and resources, it can be a highly rewarding and fulfilling career for those who are passionate about helping patients and committed to providing excellent care.
