Surgeon vs hand surgeon

The differences between 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 surgeon and a hand surgeon. Additionally, a hand surgeon has an average salary of $327,249, which is higher than the $155,553 average annual salary of a surgeon.

The top three skills for a surgeon include patients, general surgery and healthcare. The most important skills for a hand surgeon are patients, EMR, and MRI.

Surgeon vs hand surgeon overview

	Surgeon	Hand Surgeon
Yearly salary	$155,553	$327,249
Hourly rate	$74.79	$157.33
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	37,918	22,502
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	6	6

What does a surgeon do?

A surgeon is a medical professional who conducts surgical procedures on the human body to treat injuries and diseases such as broken bones and cancerous tumors. Surgeons are required to review test results to identify abnormal findings and recommend a plan of treatment to patients. They must manage surgical technicians during the surgery process to ensure all standards of care and safety are followed in the operating room. Surgeons must also address concerns that the patients have about their health and well-being.

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.

Surgeon vs hand surgeon salary

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

	Surgeon	Hand Surgeon
Average salary	$155,553	$327,249
Salary range	Between $85,000 And $284,000	Between $171,000 And $625,000
Highest paying City	Lewiston, ME	Eau Claire, WI
Highest paying state	Maine	Maine
Best paying company	MaineGeneral Health	Allina Health
Best paying industry	Professional	-

Differences between surgeon and hand surgeon education

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

	Surgeon	Hand Surgeon
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common major	Medicine	Nursing
Most common college	Duke University	University of Pennsylvania

Surgeon vs hand surgeon demographics

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

	Surgeon	Hand Surgeon
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 51.2% Female, 48.8%	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 surgeon and hand surgeon duties and responsibilities

Surgeon example responsibilities.

Manage insurance authorization and hospital bookings for surgery.
Assist senior staff in dental treatment of several complex procedures including dental treatment of medically compromise patients.
Coordinate with patients and medical staff at civilian and military treatment facilities to schedule medical appointments and retrieve medical documentation.
Observe fracture plating, skin grafting, wind cleaning, amputation, and other Orthopaedic surgeries.

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.

Surgeon vs hand surgeon skills

Common surgeon skills

Patients, 26%
General Surgery, 12%
Healthcare, 12%
Patient Care, 7%
Mohs, 5%
Private Practice, 4%

Common hand surgeon skills

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

Surgeon vs. similar jobs

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Surgeon
Surgeon vs Hand Surgeon

Updated January 8, 2025

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