Plastic surgeon vs pediatric surgeon

The differences between plastic surgeons and pediatric 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 pediatric surgeon. Additionally, a pediatric surgeon has an average salary of $417,737, 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 pediatric surgeon are general surgery, general hospital, and CPT.

Plastic surgeon vs pediatric surgeon overview

	Plastic Surgeon	Pediatric Surgeon
Yearly salary	$172,467	$417,737
Hourly rate	$82.92	$200.84
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	3,906	35,576
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 31%
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 pediatric surgeon do?

A pediatric surgeon specializes in performing surgeries to treat injuries, illnesses, and deformities among children and young adults. It is their duty to study the patients' cases and conduct extensive tests and examinations prior to the surgery, discuss the diagnosis and treatment options with the patients' family or guardian, and monitor the patients' condition after the operations, providing post-surgery care advice to families. Moreover, they are also responsible for coordinating with nurses, technicians, and other specialists, maintaining an active communication line with them to ensure optimal service.

Plastic surgeon vs pediatric surgeon salary

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

	Plastic Surgeon	Pediatric Surgeon
Average salary	$172,467	$417,737
Salary range	Between $87,000 And $339,000	Between $209,000 And $834,000
Highest paying City	Rockville Centre, NY	Duluth, MN
Highest paying state	Maine	Minnesota
Best paying company	MaineGeneral Health	Essentia Health
Best paying industry	Professional	-

Differences between plastic surgeon and pediatric surgeon education

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

	Plastic Surgeon	Pediatric Surgeon
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Most common major	Nursing	Nursing
Most common college	Case Western Reserve University	University of Pennsylvania

Plastic surgeon vs pediatric surgeon demographics

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

	Plastic Surgeon	Pediatric Surgeon
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 23.6% Female, 76.4%	Male, 21.1% Female, 78.9%
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 pediatric 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.

Pediatric surgeon example responsibilities.

Manage all incoming medical records requests (ensuring office is within HIPPA guidelines).
Coordinate with patients and medical staff at civilian and military treatment facilities to schedule medical appointments and retrieve medical documentation.
Generate billing and conduct follow-up calls.

Plastic surgeon vs pediatric surgeon skills

Common plastic surgeon skills

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

Common pediatric surgeon skills

General Surgery, 99%
General Hospital, 0%
CPT, 0%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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