Plastic surgeon vs hand surgeon

The differences between plastic surgeons and hand surgeons can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a plastic surgeon and a hand surgeon. Additionally, a hand surgeon has an average salary of $327,249, which is higher than the $172,467 average annual salary of a plastic surgeon.

The top three skills for a plastic surgeon include patients, patient care and hand surgery. The most important skills for a hand surgeon are patients, EMR, and MRI.

Plastic surgeon vs hand surgeon overview

	Plastic Surgeon	Hand Surgeon
Yearly salary	$172,467	$327,249
Hourly rate	$82.92	$157.33
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	3,906	22,502
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	6	6

What does a plastic surgeon do?

Plastic surgeons must have skills in hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, organization, communication, and teamwork. This career also requires a bachelor's degree in a premedical major and completion of a four-year M.D. and a surgical residency. Those who choose this career path perform reconstructive plastic surgery in order to restore form and function following illness or trauma and/or perform cosmetic surgery for simple alteration of appearance.

What does a hand surgeon do?

A hand surgeon is a health professional that is skilled in the field of medicine that deals with problems that relate to the hand, wrist, and forearm. Your job responsibility is to attend to the problems of clients and provide solutions. Most of these problems can be resolved without the need for surgery unless when necessary. Your job is to reduce and get rid of pain and restore movement and function.

Plastic surgeon vs hand surgeon salary

Plastic surgeons and hand surgeons have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Plastic Surgeon	Hand Surgeon
Average salary	$172,467	$327,249
Salary range	Between $87,000 And $339,000	Between $171,000 And $625,000
Highest paying City	Rockville Centre, NY	Eau Claire, WI
Highest paying state	Maine	Maine
Best paying company	MaineGeneral Health	Allina Health
Best paying industry	Professional	-

Differences between plastic surgeon and hand surgeon education

There are a few differences between a plastic surgeon and a hand surgeon in terms of educational background:

	Plastic Surgeon	Hand Surgeon
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common major	Nursing	Nursing
Most common college	Case Western Reserve University	University of Pennsylvania

Plastic surgeon vs hand surgeon demographics

Here are the differences between plastic surgeons' and hand surgeons' demographics:

	Plastic Surgeon	Hand Surgeon
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 23.6% Female, 76.4%	Male, 20.9% Female, 79.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 1.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 5.0% Asian, 12.7% White, 76.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 1.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 5.0% Asian, 12.7% White, 76.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between plastic surgeon and hand surgeon duties and responsibilities

Plastic surgeon example responsibilities.

Manage insurance authorization and hospital bookings for surgery.
Develop x-rays, foot and ankle therapies, including hydrotherapy, ultrasound and hot wax.
Assist with surgery scheduling, casting/removing, & casting for orthotics.
Check patient in/out, collect co-payments/deductibles that apply for orthotics, enter charges/post payments.
Perform administrative tasks regarding origination paperwork for patients, preoperative paperwork, medical clearance, financing and payment.
Complete knowledge of military and DOD protocols pertaining to network and computer systems.

Hand surgeon example responsibilities.

Manage insurance authorization and hospital bookings for surgery.
Schedule patients for surgery and diagnostic testing; eligibility benefits and insurance verification duties.
Assist Dr Fatuma Osman in dental procedures and consults.
Inform patients on various reactions to prescribe medications along with other medical information.
Board-Certify dermatologist performing Mohs surgery, advance reconstruction, blepharoplasty, liposuction, cosmetic & medical dermatology.
Generate billing and conduct follow-up calls.

Plastic surgeon vs hand surgeon skills

Common plastic surgeon skills

Patients, 55%
Patient Care, 9%
Hand Surgery, 6%
Private Practice, 6%
Medical Procedures, 5%
Surgical Procedures, 4%

Common hand surgeon skills

Patients, 67%
EMR, 18%
MRI, 8%
Memorial Hospital, 3%
Patient Appointments, 1%
Vital Signs, 1%

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Plastic Surgeon
Plastic Surgeon vs Hand Surgeon

Updated January 8, 2025

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