Average Plastic Surgeon Salary in California
As of August 29, 2025, a Plastic Surgeon in California earns approximately $750,000 per year ($62,500 monthly). Based on an average 54-hour work week, this translates to about $291 per hour. Looking for a broader view? See the Plastic Surgeon salary overview or compare nearby states like Arizona, Nevada, and Oregon.
How Much Do Plastic Surgeons Make in California?
From 13 verified physician salary submissions in California, SalaryDr is seeing total compensation ranging from $730,000 to $850,000, with top performers (90th percentile) earning up to $1,200,000 annually. Compared to the national median of $750,000, Plastic Surgeon salaries in California are in line with the national median.
Bonuses, Hours Worked, and Job Satisfaction
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 $803,750 - a -3% increase.
Local Practice Settings and Employers
On average, base salary accounts for 75% of total compensation—about $610,769—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.
Work-Life Balance in California
Local plastic surgeon physicians report 4.8/5 career satisfaction, with 100% of those surveyed saying they would choose this specialty again.
Salary Distribution
Distribution based on 13 verified physician salary submissions.
Median Salary: $750,000
Physician Satisfaction in Plastic Surgery
Satisfaction Rating
Average satisfaction rating reported by Plastic Surgery physicians (1-5 scale).
Would Choose Again
Percentage of Plastic Surgery physicians who would choose this specialty again.
Career Satisfaction
Physicians cite the variety of cases and patient relationships as most rewarding aspects of this specialty.
Primary Challenges
On-call demands, administrative burden, and work-life balance are cited as the top challenges.
Salary Comparison
Location Statistics
Average Salary
$813,077
Median Salary
$750,000
Salary Range
$730,000 - $850,000
National Comparison
National Average
$813,077
Difference
+0% vs National Average
Sample Size
13 local / 13 national reports
Salary by Practice Type
| Practice Type | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| Private Practice | $828,182 | 11 submissions |
| Hospital-employed | $730,000 | 2 submissions |
* Practice types with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Salary by Experience Level
| Years of Experience | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| 3-5 years | $883,333 | 3 submissions |
| 6-10 years | $814,286 | 7 submissions |
| 11-15 years | $740,000 | 3 submissions |
* Experience levels with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Take-Home Pay Calculator
Subspecialty Comparison
Cosmetic
Craniofacial
Hand
Reconstructive
| 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.
Popular Locations
New York City, NY
Average Salary: $400,000
Based on 150 reports
Los Angeles, CA
Average Salary: $380,000
Based on 120 reports
Chicago, IL
Average Salary: $350,000
Based on 100 reports
Houston, TX
Average Salary: $340,000
Based on 90 reports
Miami, FL
Average Salary: $360,000
Based on 80 reports
Boston, MA
Average Salary: $370,000
Based on 70 reports
* Showing locations with the most reported salaries.
* Some locations may be omitted if they have fewer than 3 reports.
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About Our Data
Our salary data is based on anonymous submissions from practicing physicians across the United States. We verify and clean the data to ensure accuracy and remove outliers.
Last updated: August 29, 2025