There are so many reasons for which a person might want to get a cosmetic surgery. This can range from trauma, illness or just the desires to change or improve some parts of their bodies for aesthetic purposes. Mostly for the latter, the need for cosmetic surgeons have been on the rise and if this is a career pat you want to thread, you may want to know what a cosmetic surgeon salary is.
If you are still unsure of what this path entails, you ay want to continue reading to understand who a cosmetic surgeon is, what they do, where they are paid the highest, the requirements to become one and how to become one.
So, why don’t we get right in!
Who is a Cosmetic Surgeon?
A cosmetic surgeon is an expert who specializes in correcting and enhancing the appearance or pysical features of a patient through surgical procedures. These surgeries could range from breast augmentation to nose reduction or fat removal.
Simply, a cosmetic surgeon would most often perform elective and aesthetic surgeries. They specialize in performing restorative or corrective surgery.
As a cosmetic surgeon, you will be required to meet with your patients, understand their needs and then make recommendations on wich proceedures will best help them to meet their needs.
Also, as a cosmetic surgeon, you can work independently or as a part of a larger cosmetic surgery practice.
Related: Trauma Surgeon Salary in 2022 | How much does a Trauma Surgeon make?
What Do Cosmetic Surgeons Do?
A cosmetic surgeon responsibilities may vary depending on their proceedures, however, on a genral note, a cosmetic surgeon may:
- Asswss patient’s reasons for choosing to have a surgery.
- Manage the filing, maintenance of all patient records in accordance with HIPAA practices.
- Discuss the patients’ needs, medical history and risks before surgery
- Perform various procedures to reconstruct or improve body parts
- Carry out cosmetic treatments such as facelifts, lipsuctions and implants.
- Follow up with patients to ensure proper healing of wounds and incisions
- Recommend pain relievers or antibiotics to prevent infection
- Coordinate with other medical professionals to ensure quality care
- Record patients’ medical history and ensuring confidentiality
- Clean and sterilize operational instruments on a daily basis after each surgery to ensure quality of sterile equipment.
- Perform medical consultations – including patient charting and product sales, for aesthetic plastic surgery and non-surgical rejuvenation practice.
- Use of medical terminology, charting patient notes, insurance verification, coding and billing using CPT/ICD-9 codes.
- Conduct demonstrations and perform laparoscopic cholecystectomies.
What Surgeries Can a Cosmetic Surgeon Perform?
The following are some of the surgeries a cosmetic surgeon can perform:
- Facial contouring: chin, cheek and rhinoplasty
- Body: liposuction, tummy tuck and gynecomastia
- Facial rejuvenation: face, brow, eyelid and neck lift
- Breast enhancement: breast lift, breast augmentation or reduction
- Skin rejuvenation: enhancement/filler and laser resurfacing
Related: Prosthetist Salary 2022 | How Much Does Prosthetist Make?
What is the Average Cosmetic Surgeon Salary?
Basically, a cosmetic surgeon salary may vary based on the type of surgery, proceedres as well as the reputation of the surgeon. However, a cosmetic surgeon;s salary is considered one of the highest among other medical as well as surgical specialists.
According to a recent repeort by Ziprecruiter, the average Cosmetic Surgeon salary in the US is $207,997 per year and $100 per hour.
Payscle reports that the average cosmetic surgeon salary is $268,903 per year. Zippia reports an average salary of $317,670 per year.
Although your income as a cosmetic salary may vary depending on some factors such as location, years of experience and some other factors, however, these reports will help you know what to expect as a cosmetic surgeon.
Having known that, the average cosmetic surgeon salary is between $207,997 – $317,670 per year.
Also, see: How Much Money Do Surgeons Make?
What are the Top Highest Paying Cities for Cosmetic Surgeons?
We have carefully researched and picked out the 10 cities where cosmetic surgeons earn higher.
| CITY | SALARY |
| Green River, WY | $252,210 |
| Richmond, CA | $249,804 |
| Stamford, CT | $246,896 |
| Bellevue, WA | $245,500 |
| Belgrade, MT | $242,585 |
| Santa Clara, CA | $239,605 |
| San Francisco, CA | $235,376 |
| Hartford, CT | $233,948 |
| Elk Grove, CA | $233,617 |
| Gillette, WY | $233,518 |
What are the Requirements to Become a Cosmetic Surgeon?
To become a cosmetic surgeon, you will need to earn a bachelor’s degree in the sciences, enroll and graduate from a medical school. After you have completed your degrees, you will be required to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMILE), if not, then the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam (COMLEX) to earn your state license.
After that, you will need to complete a six-year residency program in both general surgery and plastic surgery. If you decide to concentrate on a subspecialty such as hand surgery or body contouring, you will need to complete an additional year-long fellowship.
Altough this certification may be optional, most cosmetic surgeons usually choose to otain certfication by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery (AOBS).
How Do I Become a Cosmetic Surgeon?
To become a cosmetic surgeon, you will need to be a pre-medical major or must have completed a related bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3.0 GPA. Afterward, you go on to enroll in a 4-year medical degree program.
While in the medical school, you will cover a plethora of subjects such as medial ethics, anatomy, physiology and pharmacology.
After graduation, you will receive your Doctor of Medicine degree and go on to your general surgery residency – a professional on-the-job training completed in a medical clinic or a teaching hospital.
The residency will usually last between 4-5 years and within the last two years, you may decide to choose to specialize in cosmetic surgery.
See also: Cosmetic Nurse Salary 2022| How Much Does Cosmetic Nurse Make?
Cosmetic Surgeon Job Prospects
Surgery has been a growing field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, chron.comjobs for surgeons will increase by higher than average rate of 7% between 2018 and 2028.
Conclusion
Your salary as a cosmetic surgeon may differ based os so many factors, however, this article offers you the range to expect as a cosmetic surgeon. Even better, the article explains all you need to know about this career path and how to get into it. We hope you found it helpful.
FAQs Cosmetic Surgeon Salary
Highest paying states for plastic surgeons
Highest paying states for cosmetic surgeons are Maine ($256,867), New York ($248,019), Massachusetts ($256,867) and New Hampshire ($256,867).
Highest paying cities for plastic surgeons
Highest paying cities for Plastic Surgeon are Duluth, MN ($474,358), Fargo, ND, Lewiston, ME, Buffalo, NY and Charleston, WV.
A cosmetic surgeon is an expert who specializes in correcting and enancing the appearance or pysical features of a patient through surgical procedures. These surgeries could range from breast augmentation to nose reduction or fat removal.
No, they are not.
Often times, the terms cosmetic and plastic surgeons are used interchangeably. Although they are closely related, they are not the same.
While a plastic surgeon specializes on performing surgical reconstruction of the facial or body defects from birt disorders, burns, traumas and diseases, cosmetic surgery is a type of plastic surgery which specializes on restorative or corrective surgeries.
Cosmetic surgeon salary in the US
The average cosmetic surgeon salary is between $207,997 – $317,670 per year.
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