Is Plastic Surgery a Good Career in 2026?
Reconstructing and enhancing form and function through surgical and non-surgical techniques.
Based on 74 approved physician salary reports + BLS employment projections
SalaryDr Career Intelligence
Based on 74 approved physician salary reports + BLS employment projections
Score Breakdown
Demand score powered by BLS Employment Projections (2024-2034): 3.9% projected growth (as fast as average)
Plastic Surgery Compensation & Earnings
Plastic Surgery Compensation
$750,000
$710,000 – $900,000(P25–P75)
Plastic Surgery Salary Progression
From medical school to senior attending — based on 74 approved salary reports
10 submissions
2 submissions
15 submissions
52 submissions
7 submissions
+15% salary growth from early career ($650,000) to mid-career ($745,000)
Best States for Plastic Surgery Physicians (After Tax)
| State | Median Salary | After-Tax Income | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $1,215,000(6) | $1,215,000 | Very High(24,080 jobs) |
| New York | $1,000,000(5) | $925,000 | Very High(4,100 jobs) |
| Iowa | $900,000(2) | $865,800 | Low(220 jobs) |
| Colorado | $900,000(2) | $860,400 | Moderate(550 jobs) |
| Washington | $800,000(2) | $800,000 | Moderate(820 jobs) |
Estimate Your Take-Home
Based on median Plastic Surgery salary of $750K/yr
Select a state to see your estimated take-home pay
Take-Home Pay by State
How much a Plastic Surgery physician actually keeps after federal, state, and FICA taxes
Highest Take-Home States
Lowest Take-Home States
Tax impact: A Plastic Surgery physician keeps $404,369 more per year in Alaska vs. Texas — a 53.9% difference on gross income of $750,000.
Assumes single filer, standard deduction, W-2 employment. State rates from Tax Foundation 2025. Gross salaries from BLS OEWS May 2024. FICA includes Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600) and Medicare (1.45% + 0.9% above $200K). Actual take-home varies with deductions, filing status, and local taxes.
How does your compensation compare?
Benchmark yourself against 74 approved plastic surgery salary reports — add yours in 2 minutes and see your percentile instantly.
Career Lifestyle
Career Reality: By the Numbers
Real data from 74 Plastic Surgery physician reports — not job board estimates.
What Physicians Actually Say
Themes across 5 written answers from Plastic Surgery physicians.
About the Career (5 answers)
Intellectual Stimulation
20%1 answer mention this
Autonomy
20%1 answer mention this
Compensation
20%1 answer mention this
Lifestyle
20%1 answer mention this
Call Burden
20%1 answer mention this
Job Market & Future Outlook
Job Market Outlook
BLS Employment Projections (2024-2034) for Plastic Surgery
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2024-2034. Includes wage/salary and self-employed physicians.
AI & Automation Impact
Aesthetic judgment and microsurgical skill are uniquely human. AI helps patients visualize outcomes but cannot perform the surgery.
How Hard Is It to Match Into Plastic Surgery?
Plastic Surgery is one of the most competitive specialties to match into, with only 74.3% of U.S. MD seniors successfully matching. There were 1.19 applicants per position (253 applicants for 213 spots). Matched applicants had significantly higher Step 2 CK scores (256 vs 247). Students scoring >260 matched at 95%, compared to 55% for those scoring 231-240.
Match Rate by Step 2 CK Score
What Differentiates Matched Applicants
| Metric | Matched | Unmatched |
|---|---|---|
| Step 2 CK | 256 | 247 |
| Research Experiences | 8.6 | 9.2 |
| Publications | 35 | 26 |
| AOA Members | 36% | 19% |
| Programs Ranked | 14 | 7 |
Data from Charting Outcomes in the Match, National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), 2024. U.S. MD seniors. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Training & Getting Started
7 years of post-medical-school training, with subspecialty fellowship options
Subspecialty Fellowships
Physicians Also Consider
Explore Plastic Surgery
Take the Next Step in Your Plastic Surgery Career
Real, physician-reported compensation data. Know your market value before your next contract negotiation.
Powered by SalaryDr Career Intelligence
Career Score methodology: salarydr.com/methodology
According to SalaryDr Career Intelligence data from 74 approved reports by Plastic Surgeons (as of November 2026), the Physician Career Score for Plastic Surgery is 81/100. Median total compensation is $750,000, career satisfaction is 4.6/5, and 90% would choose the specialty again. The BLS reports 25,100 practicing Plastic Surgeons nationally with 3.9% projected growth (2024-2034).