Source: SalaryDr salary data for Plastic Surgery in California (N=14 verified submissions, updated February 12, 2026, data as of 2026-02-12). URL: https://www.salarydr.com
As of February 12, 2026, a Plastic Surgeon in California earns approximately $760,000 per year ($63,333 monthly). Based on an average 53-hour work week, this translates to about $379 per hour. Looking for a broader view? See the Plastic Surgeon salary overview or compare nearby states below.
From 14 verified physician salary submissions in California, SalaryDr is seeing total compensation ranging from $730,000 to $1,000,000, with top performers (90th percentile) earning up to $4,000,000 annually. Compared to the national median of $760,000, Plastic Surgeon salaries in California are in line with the national median.
In California, the salary progression for plastic surgeon physicians shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $828,000, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $1,158,889 - a 40% increase.
In California, the most common work environment is Private Practice (86% of physicians). On average, base salary accounts for 61% of total compensation—about $638,571—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.
California offers unique advantages for plastic surgeon physicians, including high demand in major metropolitan areas and competitive compensation packages. The cost of living in California is higher than the national average but offset by higher salaries.
Local plastic surgeon physicians report 4.7/5 career satisfaction, with 100% of those surveyed saying they would choose this specialty again.
Go beyond salary data. Discover real physician experiences, work-life balance insights, and what Plastic Surgery doctors love (and would change) about their specialty.
Browse more Plastic Surgeon-adjacent fields to compare compensation and career paths.
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Last updated: February 12, 2026
Distribution based on 14 verified physician salary submissions.
Median Salary: $760,000
Average satisfaction rating reported by Plastic Surgery physicians (1-5 scale).
Percentage of Plastic Surgery physicians who would choose this specialty again.
Physicians cite the variety of cases and patient relationships as most rewarding aspects of this specialty.
On-call demands, administrative burden, and work-life balance are cited as the top challenges.
Average Salary
$1,040,714
Median Salary
$760,000
Salary Range
$730,000 - $1,000,000
National Average
$1,040,714
Difference
+0% vs National Average
Sample Size
14 local / 14 national reports
| Practice Type | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| Private Practice | $1,092,500 | 12 submissions |
| Hospital-employed | $730,000 | 2 submissions |
* Practice types with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Compare salary data across different practice settings for Plastic Surgery physicians in California:
| Years of Experience | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| 3-5 years | $883,333 | 3 submissions |
| 6-10 years | $814,286 | 7 submissions |
| 11-15 years | $1,555,000 | 4 submissions |
* Experience levels with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Browse city-level salary data for plastic surgeon physicians in California. Click any city to see detailed compensation information for that location.
See how Plastic Surgery salaries in California compare to neighboring states.
| Subspecialty | Average Salary | Sample Size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic | $1,800,000 | 4 submissions | Focuses on specialized cosmetic procedures and treatments within plastic surgery, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Craniofacial | $790,200 | 5 submissions | Focuses on specialized craniofacial procedures and treatments within plastic surgery, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Hand | $757,692 | 13 submissions | Specializes in intricate surgery of the hand, wrist, and upper extremity, including microsurgery and complex reconstruction. |
| Reconstructive | $709,000 | 10 submissions | Focuses on specialized reconstructive procedures and treatments within plastic surgery, providing expert care in this specific area. |
* Subspecialties with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
* Data is aggregated from verified physician submissions.