Being in shape and having the perfect figure according to modern media and present trends may increase one’s self-esteem and perhaps offer up new opportunities. It is natural to want to look better than the person next to you.
In practically every facet of life, physical appearance is important. This is why celebrities frequently seek plastic surgery when they believe their bodies are betraying their attractive selves.
Plastic surgeons that specialize in celebrity cases make a lot of money and are well known for their work. While cosmetic surgery is a profitable industry, the physicians who do it take certain variables into account while marketing their services.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a plastic surgeon, it’s normal to wonder how many plastic surgeons make in a year. This post reviews everything you need to know about a career as a plastic surgeon and how much plastic surgeons make.
Who is a Plastic Surgeon?
A plastic surgeon is a certified medical practitioner who has received training in patient contact, trauma care, and basic surgery procedures, as well as specialty fields including tissue transfer, body sculpting, and laser surgery.
Plastic surgeons shape and mold bodily parts such as the ears, face, trunk, hands, and extremities. They also correct congenital issues including faulty bone structure in the hands or feet.
Plastic surgery encompasses far more than “cosmetic or aesthetic” procedures. While aesthetic surgery is the most obvious and maybe the most famous feature of plastic surgery, it accounts for just a small portion of the field.
Cosmetic surgery is used to remodel normal body parts for cosmetic purposes, whereas reconstructive surgery is used to repair or replace body parts that have been damaged by accidents, sickness, or abnormality.
Plastic surgery may be used to not only improve a person’s appearance, but also to restore a patient’s appearance after a struggle with cancer, an accident, or another deforming condition. A plastic surgeon may work on almost any portion of the body, and many specialize in certain areas, such as the head and neck or hands.
They treat disorders all across the body and frequently collaborate with other physicians in a multi-disciplinary group. Plastic surgeons have specialized knowledge and abilities, such as how to design a skin transplant or make a flap graft.
They learn how to move tissue from one region of the body to another, how to treat complicated wounds, and how to employ implantable materials like plastic or metal.
How to Become a Plastic Surgeon?
If you’re interested in a career as a plastic surgeon, this section will highlight the necessary steps toward achieving your career goal.
#1. Research and Make a Decision
To begin, you must ask yourself, “Is being a plastic surgeon suitable for me?” The first step in deciding on a career is to ensure that you are willing to commit to pursuing it. You don’t want to squander your time doing something you despise.
You should conduct an extensive study on the roles and obligations of a plastic surgeon. Proper study will assist you in choosing the best option that you will not regret in the following years.
#2. Take Advanced Classes in High school (not compulsory)
Take rigorous scientific coursework in anatomy, biology, chemistry, physiology, and physics to prepare for a future as a plastic surgeon. It’s also a good idea to take math lessons to help with medicine dose calculations and graph reading. You can also enroll in a foreign language program, such as Latin, to help you grasp strange medical phrases that have Latin roots.
#3. Get a Relevant Bachelor’s Degree
While no specialized degree is necessary for undergraduate studies, aspiring plastic surgeons typically focus their courses in advanced biological sciences to fulfill medical school admission standards. They must have completed an authorized Bachelor’s degree program that included pre-med necessary courses including biochemistry, microbiology, and human anatomy.
English, advanced mathematics and statistics classes are also recommended. Most medical schools require at least a 3.5-grade point average and may choose only candidates who rank at the top of their graduating class.
It is also vital for students to gather experience throughout their undergraduate studies that will set them apart from other medical school applicants and prepare them for their chosen careers.
Volunteering in a hospital, shadowing professional plastic surgeons, performing community service, and conducting research are all examples of this type of experience. All of these activities reflect a strong work ethic and a commitment to the medical sector.
#4. Take your MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
Prospective plastic surgeons must take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) during their junior year of undergraduate studies, which is sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM).
This standardized test, which consists of a series of multiple-choice questions, helps medical schools to assess a candidate’s training and skill set. Students are urged to take advantage of available support in order to get their greatest potential MCAT score. Study materials, pre-tests, practice exams, and online and in-person tuition are all included.
These tools are intended to help students achieve the highest possible score, which will open doors to medical schools.
#5. Enroll into a Medical School and Get your National Licensing
Medical school is a demanding four-year program broken into two sections. The first component, which covers the first two years of study, is focused on the course and lab work that mentally empowers students for patient engagement.
This education includes biology and natural sciences, physiology, chemistry, medical ethics, and the art and practice of medicine. Plastic surgery students generally adapt their curriculum to include advanced coursework on congenital defects, cancer, trauma, and degenerative/inflammatory illnesses. Students pursuing an MD must take and pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
Rotations is the name given to the second two years of medical school. During this period, students have the chance to get experience in a range of medical specializations and medical environments while being supervised by experienced physicians.
Rotations assist students with comprehensive patient care, settings, and scenarios, as well as getting acquainted with the teams that work together to help the sick. Students tend to gravitate towards certain specialties or surroundings that match their specific interests and skillsets as they complete rotations.
Students take the United States Medical Licensing Exam after completing part two of medical school. The purpose of these assessments is to determine whether or not students have gained the clinical knowledge and abilities required for independent medical practice.
#6. Residency
Postgraduates undertake a five- to six-year plastic surgery residency after graduating from medical school and are approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Residents in plastic surgery often attend lectures, take part in Patient rounds with a certified plastic surgeon, and conduct clinical case studies.
Their education in both reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery covers a wide range of topics, from microsurgery to complex skin and cancer tissue procedures.
#7. Get your State License
All physicians in the United States must be state-licensed. Licensing regulations may differ from one state to the next. Candidates must have an undergraduate degree, have graduated from medical school, have finished a residency, and have passed the relevant tests.
The examination component is frequently met by passing the USMLE or COMLEX-USA test. States may also demand license renewal on a regular basis and enforce continuous education.
How Much do Plastic Surgeons make a year?
After years of college and training, cosmetic surgeons ensure that they are appropriately rewarded for their specific knowledge. So, how much does a plastic surgeon make? A surgeon’s annual pay is $252,040, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, this is the typical wage for general surgeons.
The BLS does not discriminate between the pay of surgeons of various specializations. According to various pay sources, plastic surgeons make significantly more per year than ordinary surgeons. In the United States, the estimated average annual salary for a plastic surgeon is $487,000 per year.
What Factors affect how Much Plastic Surgeons Make?
Location
Salaries for cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons are higher in geographical areas where there is a scarcity of competent and experienced plastic surgeons. Cities such as Indianapolis, Indiana, Memphis, Tennessee, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma are well-known as well paying plastic surgeon hot spots.
In areas where the supply of experts outnumbers the demand for specialists, physicians can command exorbitant wages. While cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco may have high living costs, plastic surgeons working in other parts of the country can earn just as much, if not more, depending on how much they are in demand.
Gender
Surprisingly, your gender can play a role in how much you earn as a plastic surgeon. Unfortunately for female physicians, there remains a salary disparity between men and women in practically every field of medicine and healthcare.
According to research, men make up 64% of all plastic surgeons and earn an average of $487,000 per year. Their female counterparts make $433,000 per year, which is around 11% less. However, it’s worth noting that the plastic surgery gender wage difference of 11% is significantly lower than the average salary gap among all physicians, which is 25.2 percent lower.
Experience Level
Years of experience are important in deciding how much plastic surgeons make. Most people prefer to visit a surgeon who has performed hundreds or thousands of procedures rather than a physician who is new to the profession. This element can significantly raise how much a plastic surgeon makes.
Board Certification
Plastic surgeons, particularly cosmetic surgeons, must be board certified among all medical specialties. Although board certification will not guarantee you a greater income, it will place you in a better position than other surgeons in the industry. As a result, being board certified can present you with a greater number of career options, allowing you to negotiate a better salary with different companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plastic surgeons are categorized into cosmetic surgeons and reconstructive surgeons.
Location and experience level play a role in determining how much do plastic surgeons make.
Cities like Oklahoma and Wyoming have a high demand for plastic surgeons.
Generally, aside from your high school education, becoming a plastic surgeon requires at least 13 years of education.
The estimated average salary for a plastic surgeon is $487,000
Conclusion
Is only natural to be wondering how much a plastic surgeon makes, especially if you’re considering a career in the field. The plastic surgery field is one of the most lucrative medical fields. This post has reviewed everything you need to know about pursuing a career in the field and how much you can earn while at it.
References
- msn.com – Top 10 highest-paid plastic surgeons in the world
- physiciansthrive.com – High Salary Specialties: Plastic Surgeon Salary
- www.careerexplorer.com – What does a plastic surgeon do?
- webmd.com – What is a Plastic Surgeon?
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