Cosmetic Surgeon Salary in the United States

How much does a Cosmetic Surgeon make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cosmetic Surgeon in the United States is $417,374 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $201.

However, a Cosmetic Surgeon's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $519,975
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $373,559 to $471,079
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $333,668
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View as table View as graph 25% $373,559 10% $333,668 90% $519,975 75% $471,079 $417,374 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Cosmetic Surgeon Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $471,079 $39,257 $9,059 $226
Average $417,374 $34,781 $8,026 $201
25th Percentile $373,559 $31,130 $7,184 $180
Check out Cosmetic Surgeon Job Openings in the United States
Plastic Cosmetic Surgeon

Ward Institute - SALT LAKE CITY, UT

Plastic Surgeon Cosmetic Surgeon Nationwide Opportunities

Aesthetic Physicians, PC - CHICAGO, IL

Oral Surgeon

The Smilist Dental - PHILADELPHIA, PA

Orthopedic Surgeon

Campbell County Memorial Hospital - GILLETTE, WY

Search More Cosmetic Surgeon Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Cosmetic Surgeon Salaries

A Cosmetic Surgeon's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Cosmetic Surgeon Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cosmetic Surgeon's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $410,072
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $413,114
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $416,157
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $420,417
  • Expert (over 8 years): $431,051
Levels Salary
Entry Level Cosmetic Surgeon$410,072
Intermediate Level Cosmetic Surgeon$413,114
Senior Level Cosmetic Surgeon$416,157
Specialist Level Cosmetic Surgeon$420,417
Expert Level Cosmetic Surgeon$431,051
$410,072 0 yr
$413,114 < 2 yrs
$416,157 2-4 yrs
$420,417 5-8 yrs
$431,051 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Cosmetic Surgeons

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $526,434
  • San Francisco: $521,258
  • Oakland: $509,697

What Skills Can Increase a Cosmetic Surgeon's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Critical Thinking (Mentioned in 7.63% Job Postings): Questioning, analyzing and evaluating various alternatives and situations to draw a rational conclusion independently.
  • HIPAA (Mentioned in 3.58% Job Postings): The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge.
  • Clinical Practice (Mentioned in 2.12% Job Postings): Clinical practice is defined as a model of practice that involves those activities with and on behalf of clients, especially those activities completed in the client's presence and with the client's collaboration.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Critical Thinking 7.63%
HIPAA 3.58%
Clinical Practice 2.12%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Cosmetic Surgeon's salary.
  • Cardiac: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Acute Care: Can increase your salary by up to 1%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 1%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Cardiac
$425,721
2%
Acute Care
$421,548
1%
Leadership
$421,548
1%
Clinical Care
$421,548
1%
Collaboration
$421,548
1%
Pediatric
$421,548
1%
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How Education impacts a Cosmetic Surgeon's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cosmetic Surgeons enter the field with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Cosmetic Surgeon with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $426,717 and $469,108).

Cosmetic Surgeon Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Cosmetic Surgeon
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 4.3%
Associates 2.1%
Bachelors 2.1%
Masters 5.0%
Doctorate 87.1%
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Cosmetic Surgeon Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cosmetic Surgeon's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Cosmetic Surgeon

Salaries for a Cosmetic Surgeon can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $225,404 in 2023 to around $220,348 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Cosmetic Surgeon salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Cosmetic Surgeon Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$225,404
2024
$230,759
2025
$220,348
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $225,404
2024 $230,759
2025 $220,348
2026
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2027
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Most common benefits for Cosmetic Surgeon

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Cosmetic Surgeon

Here are companies hiring for Cosmetic Surgeon and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Cosmetic Surgeon Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cosmetic Surgeon job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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