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Surgeon's assistant vs reconstructive surgeon

The differences between surgeon's assistants and reconstructive 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's assistant and a reconstructive surgeon. Additionally, a surgeon's assistant has an average salary of $367,957, which is higher than the $321,483 average annual salary of a reconstructive surgeon.

The top three skills for a surgeon's assistant include patients, ortho and EMR. The most important skills for a reconstructive surgeon are cosmetic surgery, EMR, and exam rooms.

Surgeon's assistant vs reconstructive surgeon overview

Surgeon's AssistantReconstructive Surgeon
Yearly salary$367,957$321,483
Hourly rate$176.90$154.56
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs2,7153,458
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Average age4949
Years of experience66

Surgeon's assistant vs reconstructive surgeon salary

Surgeon's assistants and reconstructive surgeons have different pay scales, as shown below.

Surgeon's AssistantReconstructive Surgeon
Average salary$367,957$321,483
Salary rangeBetween $189,000 And $715,000Between $168,000 And $613,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MNSaint Paul, MN
Highest paying stateMaineMinnesota
Best paying companyBassett Healthcare NetworkAllina Health
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between surgeon's assistant and reconstructive surgeon education

There are a few differences between a surgeon's assistant and a reconstructive surgeon in terms of educational background:

Surgeon's AssistantReconstructive Surgeon
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityCase Western Reserve University

Surgeon's assistant vs reconstructive surgeon demographics

Here are the differences between surgeon's assistants' and reconstructive surgeons' demographics:

Surgeon's AssistantReconstructive Surgeon
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 42.0% Female, 58.0%Male, 25.0% Female, 75.0%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage12%12%

Differences between surgeon's assistant and reconstructive surgeon duties and responsibilities

Surgeon's assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage insurance authorization and hospital bookings for surgery.
  • Perform in-office suturing and skin closures in the operating room.
  • Perform vital sign checks, glucose level assessments and EKG's.
  • Provide education to patients anticipating surgery, to reduce patient anxiety, and enhance surgical outcome.
  • Gather outpatients' background and provide companionship and emotional support for thoracic cancer patients and families.
  • Board-Certify dermatologist performing Mohs surgery, advance reconstruction, blepharoplasty, liposuction, cosmetic & medical dermatology.
  • Show more

Reconstructive surgeon example responsibilities.

  • Manage insurance authorization and hospital bookings for surgery.
  • Perform administrative tasks regarding origination paperwork for patients, preoperative paperwork, medical clearance, financing and payment.
  • Manage insurance authorization and hospital bookings for surgery.

Surgeon's assistant vs reconstructive surgeon skills

Common surgeon's assistant skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • Ortho, 17%
  • EMR, 16%
  • General Surgery, 8%
  • Surgical Procedures, 7%
  • Direct Patient Care, 5%
Common reconstructive surgeon skills
  • Cosmetic Surgery, 62%
  • EMR, 12%
  • Exam Rooms, 12%
  • Front Desk, 7%
  • Hand Surgery, 3%
  • Post-Operative Care, 2%

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