Post job

Explore jobs

Find specific jobs

Explore careers

Explore professions

Best companies

Explore companies

OverviewJobsSalarySkillsWhat They DoEducationCertificationsDemographicsJob DescriptionHow To HireBest CompaniesBest StatesBest CitiesJob Outlook

Compare

Entry Level jobs

Surgeon's assistant vs upper extremity surgeon

The differences between surgeon's assistants and upper extremity 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 an upper extremity surgeon. Additionally, an upper extremity surgeon has an average salary of $434,227, which is higher than the $367,957 average annual salary of a surgeon's assistant.

The top three skills for a surgeon's assistant include patients, ortho and EMR. The most important skills for an upper extremity surgeon are surgical procedures, physical therapy, and appointment scheduling.

Surgeon's assistant vs upper extremity surgeon overview

Surgeon's AssistantUpper Extremity Surgeon
Yearly salary$367,957$434,227
Hourly rate$176.90$208.76
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs2,7153,474
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4949
Years of experience66

Surgeon's assistant vs upper extremity surgeon salary

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

Surgeon's AssistantUpper Extremity Surgeon
Average salary$367,957$434,227
Salary rangeBetween $189,000 And $715,000Between $216,000 And $872,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MN-
Highest paying stateMaine-
Best paying companyBassett Healthcare Network-
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between surgeon's assistant and upper extremity surgeon education

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

Surgeon's AssistantUpper Extremity Surgeon
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianOccupational Therapy
Most common collegeDuke University-

Surgeon's assistant vs upper extremity surgeon demographics

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

Surgeon's AssistantUpper Extremity Surgeon
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 42.0% Female, 58.0%Male, 35.3% Female, 64.7%
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 upper extremity 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

Upper extremity surgeon example responsibilities.

  • Manage insurance authorization and hospital bookings for surgery.
  • Assist COTA with inpatient care involving upper extremity exercises and morning ADL.
  • Apply plaster/fiberglass casts, joint splints, sutures, and wind dressings.
  • Treat patients with a variety of hand and upper extremity diagnoses; fabricate splints.
  • Board-Certify dermatologist performing Mohs surgery, advance reconstruction, blepharoplasty, liposuction, cosmetic & medical dermatology.
  • Manage insurance authorization and hospital bookings for surgery.

Surgeon's assistant vs upper extremity surgeon skills

Common surgeon's assistant skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • Ortho, 17%
  • EMR, 16%
  • General Surgery, 8%
  • Surgical Procedures, 7%
  • Direct Patient Care, 5%
Common upper extremity surgeon skills
  • Surgical Procedures, 38%
  • Physical Therapy, 20%
  • Appointment Scheduling, 13%
  • Front Desk, 9%
  • Therapeutic Exercises, 7%
  • Splints, 7%

Surgeon's Assistant vs. similar jobs

Surgeon's Assistant related careers

Surgeon's Assistant related jobs

What similar roles do

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs