As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Cardiothoracic Surgeon in the United States is $465,200. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $406,300 to $515,400, with most professionals earning between $352,675 and $561,104.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $515,400 | $42,950 | $9,912 | $248 |
| Average | $465,200 | $38,767 | $8,946 | $224 |
| 25th Percentile | $406,300 | $33,858 | $7,813 | $195 |
An entry-level Cardiothoracic Surgeon with less than 1 year of experience earns about $441,464. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $445,860. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $466,699. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $487,678, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $491,424.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Cardiothoracic Surgeon | $441,464 |
| Intermediate Level Cardiothoracic Surgeon | $445,860 |
| Senior Level Cardiothoracic Surgeon | $466,699 |
| Specialist Level Cardiothoracic Surgeon | $487,678 |
| Expert Level Cardiothoracic Surgeon | $491,424 |
| Entry Level | 5% |
| Mid Level | 4% |
| Senior Level | 0% |
| Top Level | 5% |
| Experienced | 6% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Cardiothoracic Surgeon compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $231,993 in 2023 to approximately $237,504 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Cardiothoracic Surgeon salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Cardiothoracic Surgeon information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Cardiothoracic Surgeon job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Cardiothoracic Surgeon and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $465,200 | 80.5% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $17,199 | 3.0% | ||
| 401K/403B | $12,250 | 2.1% | ||
| Disability | $7,443 | 1.3% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,371 | 1.1% | ||
| Pension | $10,500 | 1.8% | ||
| Time Off | $59,045 | 10.2% | ||
| Total Compensation | $578,007 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.6% |
| High School | 2.5% |
| Bachelors | 0.8% |
| Masters | 2.5% |
| Doctorate | 92.6% |
What Am I Worth?
Heart surgeons, or cardiothoracic surgeons, earn high salaries due to their extensive training and the complexity of their work. The average salary ranges from $428,000 to $669,300, with a mid-salary of $533,900. Factors like state economies, healthcare facility availability, and local demand for medical services also influence their earnings significantly.
The US is among the highest-paying countries for Cardiothoracic Surgeons, with salaries ranging from $428,000 to $669,300. The median salary is approximately $533,900. Other countries like Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Switzerland also offer competitive compensation, but the US remains a top choice for high earnings in this field.
The highest salary for a cardiothoracic surgeon in the US can reach up to approximately USD 669,300 annually. The average salary typically falls around USD 533,900, while the minimum is about USD 428,000. This places cardiothoracic surgeons among the top earners in the medical field.
While many high-paying jobs exist, a Cardiothoracic Surgeon stands out with a salary range from $428,000 to $669,300, depending on experience and location. This role involves performing complex surgeries on the heart and chest, requiring extensive training and expertise, making it one of the most lucrative professions in the medical field.
Becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon requires extensive education and training, typically taking at least 15 years. For those specializing further, it may exceed 20 years. In terms of compensation, cardiothoracic surgeons earn a minimum salary of $428,000, a mid-range salary of $533,900, and can earn up to $669,300 annually.
How much does a Cardiothoracic Surgeon make? Based on recent data, the salary for a Cardiothoracic Surgeon in the USA ranges from $428,000 to $669,300 annually, with a median salary of $533,900. This translates to approximately $205.77 to $321.63 per hour, or $8,500 to $13,900 per week.
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.
