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Plastic Surgery vs. Obstetrics and Gynecology : Which Specialty is Right for You?

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by Yousmle Staff in Career

Plastic surgery vs. obstetrics and gynecology is one of the biggest debates among medical students interested in physiology. Both specialties allow you to explore the complex workings of the human body and use your skills to improve patient outcomes. However, they also have significant differences, such as the scope of practice, the work environment, and the training requirements.

How do you decide which one is right for you? In this article, we will provide helpful information and tips to help you make an intelligent decision on plastic surgery vs. obstetrics and gynecology and find a fulfilling career that matches your interests and abilities. We will also help you evaluate practical factors such as job availability, salary, and training duration.

Plastic Surgery vs. Obstetrics and Gynecology: Salary and Job Security

Plastic surgery might be your specialty if you want to earn a lot of money and have a steady demand for your services. But be prepared for a competitive job market after fellowship, even if you graduate from a prestigious program.

Obstetrics and Gynecology, meanwhile, offers more job openings. You can easily find a hospital that needs obstetricians and gynecologists, and the career outlook is positive, even if the salary is not as high as plastic surgery. But obstetrics and gynecology also comes with some challenges, such as higher burnout, which we will discuss later.

According to recent data, plastic surgeons have the highest average annual salary among medical specialties at $619,000, while obstetricians and gynecologists earn less with an average of $337,000.

Estimated Physician Average Yearly Salary by Medical Specialty in the US

Plastic surgeons earn $619,000 per year on average, while obstetricians and gynecologists earn less with $337,000 annually

Plastic Surgery vs. Obstetrics and Gynecology: Competitiveness

Here we can assess the competitiveness of a specialty by looking at the unmatched rate – the % of people who apply and do not match into their preferred specialty. Among US seniors, obstetrics and gynecology had a 16.1% unmatched rate, making it moderately competitive. In comparison, plastic surgery was the most competitive residency in the 2022 Match, with a 37.3% unmatched rate among US Seniors.

Obstetrics and gynecology had a 16.1% unmatched rate, while plastic surgery had a 37.3% unmatched rate among US seniors

Training Path: Residency

Plastic surgery requires completing a five to six-year residency program accredited by the Residency Review Committee for Plastic Surgery (RRC-PS). Obstetrics and gynecology involves a four-year obstetrics and gynecology residency.

An obstetrics and gynecology residency is typically less competitive than a plastic surgery residency. Your USMLE scores, med school, and research are the main things for residency applications. Research is also a big thing for fellowship applications, and your residency program counts more, but your USMLE scores matter much less.

Plastic Surgery vs. Obstetrics and Gynecology: Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is a crucial factor for many medical professionals. Plastic surgeons and obstetrician-gynecologists have to deal with demanding schedules and on-call duties. However, due to the nature of their work, obstetrician-gynecologists may have a slightly better balance between work and personal life. They often have a more consistent work schedule that allows for more time off.

Plastic surgeons often have demanding surgical schedules and may work long hours in the operating room. They may also be on-call for emergencies such as trauma or burn accidents.

Plastic surgeons work about 52.2 hours per week on average, ranking in the middle of medical specialties. Obstetricians and gynecologists work slightly more, at 53.9 hours per week, ranking near the upper end of all medical specialties.

Estimated Physician Weekly Working Hours by Medical Specialty in the US

Plastic surgeons work an average of 52.2 hours per week, while obstetricians and gynecologists work more hours, at 53.9 per week.

Plastic surgeons spend 11 hours per week on administrative paperwork tasks, such as documenting pre- and post-operative notes and taking photographs. In comparison, obstetricians and gynecologists have to spend more hours with 15 hours per week, due to extensive diagnostic and follow-up tests, ranking in the middle of all medical specialties.

Estimated Physician Admin/Paperwork Hours by Medical Specialty in the US

Plastic surgeons work on admin/paperwork an average of 11 hours per week, while obstetricians and gynecologists work more hours, at 15 per week.

Training Duration and Subspecialties

The training duration is a key aspect to consider when choosing between plastic surgery vs. obstetrics and gynecology. Obstetrics and gynecology has a four-year training period, while plastic surgery has a minimum of five to six-year residency program.

After completing a plastic surgery residency program, some surgeons may choose to pursue additional fellowships to further specialize in a particular aspect of plastic surgery. This can increase the length of your plastic surgery training.

Plastic Surgery vs. Obstetrics and Gynecology: Job Satisfaction and Burnout Rates

Job satisfaction plays a significant role in career fulfillment. According to various studies, plastic surgery tends to have higher job satisfaction rates than obstetrics and gynecology. Many plastic surgeons express contentment with their career choice and would choose it again if given the chance. Additionally, plastic surgery has lower reported burnout rates than obstetrics and gynecology.

According to recent data, plastic surgery ranked at the upper end of all medical specialties with 97% of plastic surgeons stating that they would choose the same specialty again, while obstetrics and gynecology ranked lower with 76% of obstetricians and gynecologists feeling the same way.

Job Satisfaction Rate By Medical Specialty in the US

Plastic surgeons reported a 97% job satisfaction rate, while obstetricians and gynecologists reported  lower satisfaction with 76%

That being said, the burnout rate for plastic surgery was 46% which was near the lower end of all medical specialties. In comparison, obstetrics and gynecology had a burnout rate of 58%, ranking near the upper end of all medical specialties.

Burnout Rate By Medical Specialty in the US

Plastic surgeons have a burnout rate of 46%, while obstetricians and gynecologists have a higher burnout rate of 58%.

Plastic Surgery vs. Obstetrics and Gynecology Comparison

To provide a visual overview, here’s a table comparing plastic surgery and obstetrics and gynecology:

AspectPlastic SurgeryObstetrics and Gynecology
Average SalaryHigh income, especially in specialized areas like reconstructive or cosmetic surgeryLower than plastic surgery
Job SecurityStable field with availability of both reconstructive and cosmetic proceduresHigh demand due to increasing rates of women's health issues and pregnancy complications
Training PathTypically involves 5-6 years of plastic surgery residencyTypically involves four years of obstetrics and gynecology residency


LifestyleGenerally predictable work schedule and increased opportunities for time off, but may involve on-call responsibilities for trauma or burn cases
More regular working hours, but may also involve on-call duties and emergency consultations
Administrative PaperworkLow to Moderate documentation requirements for patient records and surgical plans Moderate administrative requirements.
Job SatisfactionGenerally high, satisfaction tied to successful surgeries and patient outcomesLower
Burnout RatesLow to Moderate, depending on the workload and stress associated with surgical proceduresHigh
PersonalityRequires creativity, precision, and good communication skills, attention to aestheticsStrong communication and empathy skills, ability to handle sensitive and intimate patient concerns

Please note that this table serves as a general comparison. To determine the most suitable career for you, consider your personal and career priorities and goals.

Concluding Thoughts

Choosing the right specialty between plastic surgery vs. obstetrics and gynecology depends heavily on your priorities. To determine this, try reverse engineering your ideal life and identify your top priority. A helpful exercise is to write down the top five things you want to achieve in your career and personal life. Knowing these priorities will make finding a career that aligns with them easier. Often, the biggest obstacle is not a lack of knowledge about different fields but a lack of self-awareness about our own preferences.

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Want FREE Cardiology Flashcards?

Cardiology is key for impressive USMLE scores. Master cardiology from a Harvard-trained anesthesiologist who scored USMLE 270 with these 130+ high-yield flash cards. You’ll be begging for cardio questions - even if vitals make you queasy.

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