Plastic Surgeon Salary: Top Specialties and Earning Factors

Key Takeaways

• Plastic surgeon compensation varies significantly by sub-specialty, with cosmetic and craniofacial surgery typically offering the highest earning potential.
• Geographic location, years of experience, and practice setting all play major roles in determining plastic surgeons’ annual income.
• Private practice surgeons often earn more than hospital-employed physicians.
• Job growth projections remain strong through 2030, driven by an aging population and increased demand for both reconstructive and aesthetic procedures.

Plastic surgery is among the most competitive and financially rewarding fields in medicine. For students mapping out their medical careers, especially those comparing different medical school pathways, understanding the financial landscape is essential.

Some physicians focus on reconstructive surgery to restore function after trauma, while others specialize in cosmetic procedures that enhance appearance. In both cases, the salary of a plastic surgeon reflects years of advanced training and refined clinical expertise. This guide explores earning potential across sub-specialties, regions, and career stages to help you make informed choices about your future in medicine.

How Much Do Plastic Surgeons Make?

The plastic surgeon’s salary is influenced by several interconnected factors that determine earning potential throughout a career. Understanding these variables helps aspiring physicians set realistic expectations and plan their professional trajectory.

Average plastic surgeon salary

Plastic surgeons in the United States earn an average annual salary of $360,000 as of 2025. The salary range typically spans from $328,000 to $400,000 per year, with top plastic surgeons earning even higher than that.

These numbers show base pay and don’t include bonuses, profit-sharing, or other earnings that can greatly increase total income.

Plastic surgeon salary by experience

Income grows substantially as surgeons build their practice and professional reputation. Early-career plastic surgeons (1-3 years post-residency) typically earn between $299,000 and $350,000 as they establish patient referral networks and refine their surgical skills.

Other professionals (5-10 years) see salaries climb to $380,000 as they develop specialized expertise and expand their practice. Senior surgeons with 15+ years of experience often earn even higher salaries, particularly those who have built strong reputations in high-demand sub-specialties or operate successful private practices.

Plastic surgeon salary by location

Geographic location creates significant salary variations based on regional demand, cost of living, and market saturation. The top five highest-paying cities for plastic surgeons include:

• Wasco, CA – Average annual salary: $458,000
• Andrews, MD – Average annual salary: $454,000
• Inverness, CA – Average annual salary: $444,000
• Nome, AK – Average annual salary: $442,000
• Berkeley, CA – Average annual salary: $437,000

These variations exist because of differences in patient demographics, insurance reimbursement rates, competition levels, and demand for elective cosmetic procedures. Cities with more wealthy residents usually have higher fees for aesthetic services.

Highest Paying Plastic Surgery Specialties

Within plastic surgery, subspecialization creates distinct earning opportunities. The field is divided into two main branches: reconstructive surgery (medically necessary procedures covered by insurance) and cosmetic surgery (elective procedures paid out-of-pocket).

Aesthetic/cosmetic surgery: Surgeons focusing on facelifts, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, and body contouring procedures often earn the highest incomes, particularly in private practice settings. Annual earnings can reach $400,000+ for established surgeons in affluent markets.

Craniofacial surgery: This highly specialized field addresses congenital deformities, facial trauma, and complex reconstructive needs. Surgeons with craniofacial expertise earn $303,000-$400,000 annually, often working in academic medical centers or specialized children’s hospitals.

Hand surgery: While overlapping with cosmetic or plastic surgery, hand surgery focuses on restoring function after injury, treating arthritis, and repairing nerve damage. Hand surgeons earn around $370,000 per year, with strong demand in both urban and suburban markets.

Microsurgery: Surgeons skilled in microsurgical techniques for reconstruction, lymphedema treatment, and complex tissue transfers command similar high salaries, particularly in major medical centers.

The distinction between reconstructive and cosmetic work significantly impacts earning potential. Cosmetic procedures (not covered by insurance) allow surgeons to set their own fees based on market demand, while reconstructive work depends on insurance reimbursement rates that vary by region and payer.

Factors That Influence Salary

Aside from specialty and location, several additional factors influence a plastic surgeon’s total compensation.

Practice setting

Surgeons who own or partner in private practices typically have the highest earning potential, often exceeding $550,000 annually. However, they also shoulder overhead costs, including staff salaries, facility expenses, malpractice insurance, and equipment, while managing business operations.

Surgeons working in hospitals or large medical groups earn steady salaries with benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off. They avoid business risk but sacrifice some earning potential compared to private practice.

Practice focus

A practice centered on elective, self-pay cosmetic procedures generates different revenue compared to one focused on insurance-based reconstructive surgery. Cosmetic-focused practices often achieve higher profit margins per procedure, while reconstructive practices may handle higher patient volumes at lower per-case reimbursement.

Surgeons who balance both cosmetic and reconstructive work can improve income while maintaining insurance credentialing and hospital privileges that provide referral networks.

Ancillary revenue

Many plastic surgeons increase practice profitability by integrating non-surgical services like:

• Injectable treatments (Botox, dermal fillers)
• Laser skin treatments
• Chemical peels and skin resurfacing
• Medical-grade skincare product sales

These services generate additional revenue streams with lower overhead costs compared to surgical procedures, and they help maintain patient relationships between major surgical interventions.

Job Outlook for Plastic Surgeons

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3% job growth for all physicians and surgeons through 2033, roughly in line with the national average for all occupations. For plastic surgeons specifically, demand drivers include:

• Aging population. As baby boomers age, demand for reconstructive procedures, including skin cancer removal and post-mastectomy breast reconstruction, continues to grow.

• Advances in surgical techniques. Less invasive procedures with shorter recovery times make plastic surgery more accessible to working professionals who can’t afford extended downtime.

• Increased social acceptance. Cosmetic procedures have become more mainstream, reducing stigma and expanding the patient pool willing to invest in aesthetic improvements.

• Trauma and reconstruction needs. Emergency reconstruction after accidents, burns, or cancer treatment remains steady, providing consistent work for surgeons with reconstructive training.

The outlook remains strong and stable for physicians entering plastic surgery, with earning potential that rewards specialized training and clinical expertise. For students weighing surgical specialties, plastic surgery offers both intellectual challenge and financial security compared to fields like general surgery.

Wrapping Up

Plastic surgeons rank among the highest earners in medicine, with income determined by subspecialty, location, experience, and type of practice. The field combines strong financial rewards with the chance to improve patients’ lives through both aesthetic enhancement and reconstructive restoration.

If you’re considering a career in plastic surgery, start by building a strong foundation through a comprehensive medical education. The American University of Antigua (AUA) MD Program provides a U.S.-modeled curriculum, hands-on clinical training at top U.S. hospitals, and personalized faculty support to help you succeed in competitive surgical residencies.

Ready to take the next step? Apply to Medical School at AUA and begin your path toward a rewarding career in plastic surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do plastic surgeons earn the highest salaries among doctors?

Plastic surgeons rank among the highest-paid medical specialists, though some fields like neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and cardiology can offer comparable or higher earnings depending on subspecialty and practice type.

How long does it take to become a plastic surgeon?

After completing a four-year undergraduate degree and four years of medical school, aspiring plastic surgeons complete 6-7 years of residency training, 3 years of general surgery followed by 3-4 years of plastic surgery fellowship, totaling 14-15 years of education and training beyond high school.

How much does a plastic surgeon make compared to a general surgeon per year?

Plastic surgeons earn around $360,000 annually, while general surgeons average $285,000 per year. Plastic surgeons’ higher earning potential reflects specialized training, longer residency requirements, and the ability to perform high-value cosmetic procedures.