From Med School to Nose Jobs: The 2025 Plastic Surgeon Career Blueprint

 

💵 Salary Range (USA, 2025)

  • Entry-Level Minimum: ~$328,000 (25th percentile); can be as low as $225,000 - $290,000 depending on source 

  • Average Salary:
    - ZipRecruiter reports avg $356,489; entry-level similar (~$356K) 

    • PayScale reports ~$340,771 

    • Marit lists avg total comp of $546,531 

  • Maximum / Top Earners: Up to $400,000 - $550,000+, especially in high-cost or high-demand markets

✨ What They Do

Plastic surgeons perform both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures to restore or enhance the form and function of the body. Common tasks include:

  • Reconstructive surgeries for birth defects, injuries, burns, or disease

  • Cosmetic procedures such as facelifts, rhinoplasties, liposuction, and breast augmentation

  • Patient consultations, surgical planning, and aftercare

  • Managing complications and coordinating multidisciplinary treatment plans 

🎓 Education & Training

  1. Bachelor’s Degree (4 years, pre-medical sciences)

  2. Medical School (MD or DO) – 4 years

  3. Residency in Integrated Plastic Surgery – ~6 years, or 3 years general surgery + 3 years plastic surgery 

  4. Optional Fellowship – 1+ years in subspecialties (hand, craniofacial, microvascular, aesthetic) 

Total training time: 14–15 years post–high school.

📜 Certification

  • Board Certification:

    • Through the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)—an ABMS member board

    • Requires accredited residency + written and oral exams 

  • Other credentials:

    • American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) for cosmetic fellowship graduates

Maintaining certification requires ongoing continuing education (10–50 CME hrs/year) .

🏛️ Licensing

  • Medical licensure is mandatory in all U.S. states.

  • Surgeons must pass the USMLE (MD) or COMLEX-USA (DO) exams (Steps 1–3), and complete residency.

  • Board certification, while voluntary, is essential for hospital privileges and credentialing.

📈 Career Outlook

  • Plastic surgery is among the top-earning specialties, ranking 4th with average incomes over $500K.

  • Demand includes cosmetic procedures and reconstructive work post-trauma or cancer.

  • Successful surgeons in private practice or high-cost areas can earn well over $400,000-$550,000, with potential for even more based on specialization and location.

✅ Final Takeaway

Becoming a Plastic Surgeon requires dedication, with ~14–15 years of education and training—including a long residency path. But the rewards are significant:

  • Salary: ~$328K entry level, $350K - $550K average, topping $600K+

  • Role: Expert in reconstructive and aesthetic procedures

  • Certification: Board certification (ABPS/ABCS) and continuing education

  • Licensing: USMLE/COMLEX + state medical and board certification

If you’re passionate about surgery, aesthetics, and making a tangible impact on patients’ lives, this specialty offers unparalleled opportunity.