Oculoplastic surgeons are plastic reconstructive surgeons who specialize in conducting surgeries in the areas around the eyes. Surgeons in plastic surgery and reconstruction are some of the highest-paid surgeons in any field. They are among the highest-paid surgeons in terms of starting salary but overall make less than some specialists like orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, neurologists, radiologists and cardiac and thoracic surgeons.

Starting Salaries

The average starting salary of an oculoplastic surgeon was $300,000 per year, as of 2009, according to a survey conducted by the American Medical Group Association. The survey provides information regarding salaries of physicians and surgeons across the various fields of medical specialization.

Median Salary

The median salary for oculoplastic and other reconstructive surgeons, as indicated by the AGMA survey, was $388,929 per year. This salary was more than double the median salary made by most other surgeons nationwide. The median salary for all surgeons nationwide was $166,400 in 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Location

The survey conducted by the AMGA also indicates that the average salary for plastic and reconstructive surgeons varied by geographic location. According to the survey, surgeons in the northern U.S. made the highest annual salaries at $414,185 per year, as of 2009. The lowest average salaries reported by the AMGA survey were among those plastic and reconstructive surgeons in the eastern U.S. who made $337,274.

Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates rapid job growth for surgeons as indicated by the projected 22 percent job growth. The bureau projects an overall increase of 144,100 jobs in the medical and surgical fields during the 2008 to 2018 decade. One reason for this growth is the transition of the existing population towards old age. The bureau notes that, on average, the U.S. population as a whole will become older. As plastic and reconstructive surgery continues to become more acceptable in some circles, opting for treatments such as those provided by oculoplastic surgeons may become more prevalent.