Cosmetic Surgeon Salary 2023 | How Much Does a Cosmetic Surgeon Make?

There are so many reasons for why a person might want to get cosmetic surgery. This can range from trauma, illness, or the desire 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 path you want to thread, you may want to know what a cosmetic surgeon’s salary is.

If you are still unsure of what this path entails, you ay want to continue reading to understand who 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?
What Do Cosmetic Surgeons Do?
- What Surgeries Can a Cosmetic Surgeon Perform?
What is the Average Cosmetic Surgeon’s Salary?
Cosmetic Surgeon Job Prospects
Conclusion
References
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Who is a Cosmetic Surgeon?

A cosmetic surgeon is an expert who specializes in correcting and enhancing a patient’s appearance or physical features 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 which procedures 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.

What Do Cosmetic Surgeons Do?

A cosmetic surgeon responsibilities may vary depending on their proceedures, however, on a genral note, a cosmetic surgeon may:

Assess patient’s reasons for choosing to have surgery.
Manage the filing, and maintenance of all patient records in accordance with HIPAA practices.
Discuss the patient’s needs, medical history and risks before surgery
Perform various procedures to reconstruct or improve body parts
Carry out cosmetic treatments such as facelifts, liposuctions 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 the 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

What is the Average Cosmetic Surgeon’s Salary?

Basically, a cosmetic surgeon salary may vary based on the type of surgery, procedures as well as reputation of the surgeon. However, a cosmetic surgeon;s salary is considered one of the highest among other medical and 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 factors such as location, years of experience and some other factors, 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

ZipRecruiter

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 must complete a six-year residency program in general 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.

Although this certification may be optional, most cosmetic surgeons usually choose to obtain certification 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 must be a pre-medical major or 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 medical school, you will cover many subjects such as medical 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; within the last two years, you may choose to specialize in cosmetic surgery.

Cosmetic Surgeon Job Prospects

Surgery has been a growing field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for surgeons will increase by a higher-than-average rate of 7% between 2018 and 2028.

Conclusion

Your salary as a cosmetic surgeon may differ based on 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.