Surgeon vs plastic surgeon

The differences between surgeons and plastic 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 plastic surgeon. Additionally, a plastic surgeon has an average salary of $172,467, 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 plastic surgeon are patients, patient care, and hand surgery.

Surgeon vs plastic surgeon overview

	Surgeon	Plastic Surgeon
Yearly salary	$155,553	$172,467
Hourly rate	$74.79	$82.92
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	37,918	3,906
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 34%
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 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.

Surgeon vs plastic surgeon salary

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

	Surgeon	Plastic Surgeon
Average salary	$155,553	$172,467
Salary range	Between $85,000 And $284,000	Between $87,000 And $339,000
Highest paying City	Lewiston, ME	Rockville Centre, NY
Highest paying state	Maine	Maine
Best paying company	MaineGeneral Health	MaineGeneral Health
Best paying industry	Professional	Professional

Differences between surgeon and plastic surgeon education

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

	Surgeon	Plastic Surgeon
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common major	Medicine	Nursing
Most common college	Duke University	Case Western Reserve University

Surgeon vs plastic surgeon demographics

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

	Surgeon	Plastic Surgeon
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 51.2% Female, 48.8%	Male, 23.6% Female, 76.4%
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 plastic 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.

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.

Surgeon vs plastic surgeon skills

Common surgeon skills

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

Common plastic surgeon skills

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

Surgeon vs. similar jobs

Surgeon related careers

Surgeon related jobs

What similar roles do

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Surgeon
Surgeon vs Plastic Surgeon

Updated January 8, 2025

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