Orthopedic Surgery vs Plastic Surgery: Salary, Lifestyle & Training (2026)
Choosing between Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery involves weighing compensation, training length, work-life balance, call responsibilities, and long-term career satisfaction. This comparison uses approved physician salary reports to help you make an informed decision.
See how Orthopedic Surgeon salaries, lifestyle metrics, and training requirements compare to Plastic Surgeon data from approved salary reports on SalaryDr. Orthopedic Surgery requires 5-year residency, while Plastic Surgery requires 6-year integrated or 3yr after general surgery.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Orthopedic Surgery | Plastic Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Median total pay | $770,000 → | $740,000 → |
| Middle 50% of pay | $652,500 – $850,000 | $710,000 – $780,000 |
| Approved reports | 125 | 74 |
| Training Length | 5-year residency | 6-year integrated or 3yr after general surgery |
| Practitioner Title | Orthopedic Surgeon | Plastic Surgeon |
| Lifestyle Rating | See details below | See details below |
Salary figures on each specialty page are recomputed from approved physician salary reports as new reports are approved.
Training Pathway: Orthopedic Surgery vs Plastic Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery
5-year residency
Orthopedic Surgery residency is five years of intensive surgical training. Many graduates add one-year fellowships in sports medicine, spine surgery, hand surgery, or joint replacement, though fellowship is not required for most positions.
Plastic Surgery
6-year integrated or 3yr after general surgery
Plastic Surgery can be reached through a six-year integrated residency or three years of fellowship after completing a general surgery residency. Both pathways offer extensive reconstructive and aesthetic training.
Lifestyle & Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is one of the most important factors physicians weigh when choosing a specialty. Here is how Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery compare on key lifestyle dimensions.
Orthopedic Surgery
Demanding with significant call and trauma coverage. High physical demands.
- Average work week: 53 hours
- Take call: 90% of physicians
- Average PTO: 34 days/year
Plastic Surgery
Good lifestyle if cosmetic-focused. Reconstructive and trauma call can be demanding.
- Average work week: 53 hours
- Take call: 80% of physicians
- Average PTO: 44 days/year
Satisfaction & Lifestyle by the Numbers
Based on 199 approved physician salary reports across both specialties.
| Metric | Orthopedic Surgery | Plastic Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Career Satisfaction | 4.1/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Would Choose Again | 89% | 90% |
| Avg Hours/Week | 53 | 53 |
| Takes Call | 90% | 80% |
| Avg Call Days/Month | — | — |
| Avg PTO Days/Year | 34 | 44 |
| Physician Submissions | 125 submissions | 74 submissions |
Practice Setting Distribution
Where Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery physicians work, based on approved salary reports. Practice setting significantly impacts both compensation and day-to-day lifestyle.
Orthopedic Surgery
Based on 125 approved reports
Plastic Surgery
Based on 74 approved reports
Career Outlook & Job Market
Orthopedic Surgery Outlook
Orthopedic Surgery continues to see strong demand driven by an active aging population and advances in joint replacement technology. The specialty consistently ranks among the highest-compensated in medicine.
Plastic Surgery Outlook
Plastic Surgery offers strong demand in both reconstructive and cosmetic tracks. Aesthetic practices provide significant revenue upside, while reconstructive surgeons benefit from hospital-based demand and trauma coverage needs.
Compensation Growth Trajectory
Physician salaries in both Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery typically increase with experience, with the largest jumps in the first 5-10 years post-training. Partnership or ownership in private practice can meaningfully accelerate earnings. For detailed breakdowns, explore the Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery salary-by-experience pages.
Explore Deeper Data
Benchmark Reports
Lifestyle & Satisfaction
Training & Residency
Related Comparisons
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