Is Cardiothoracic Surgery a Good Career in 2026?
Performing surgery on the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other thoracic structures.
Based on 27 approved physician salary reports
SalaryDr Career Intelligence
Based on 27 approved physician salary reports
Score Breakdown
Cardiothoracic Surgery Compensation & Earnings
Cardiothoracic Surgery Compensation
$1,150,000
$770,000 – $1,300,000(P25–P75)
Cardiothoracic Surgery Salary Progression
From medical school to senior attending — based on 27 approved salary reports
12 submissions
11 submissions
10 submissions
6 submissions
+53% salary growth from early career ($770,000) to mid-career ($1,175,000)
Estimate Your Take-Home
Based on median Cardiothoracic Surgery salary of $1150K/yr
Select a state to see your estimated take-home pay
Take-Home Pay by State
How much a Cardiothoracic Surgery physician actually keeps after federal, state, and FICA taxes
Highest Take-Home States
Lowest Take-Home States
Tax impact: A Cardiothoracic Surgery physician keeps $105,800 more per year in Alaska vs. California — a 9.2% difference on gross income of $1,150,000.
Assumes single filer, standard deduction, W-2 employment. State rates from Tax Foundation 2025. Gross salaries from BLS OEWS May 2024. FICA includes Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600) and Medicare (1.45% + 0.9% above $200K). Actual take-home varies with deductions, filing status, and local taxes.
How does your compensation compare?
Benchmark yourself against 27 approved cardiothoracic surgery salary reports — add yours in 2 minutes and see your percentile instantly.
Career Lifestyle
Career Reality: By the Numbers
Real data from 27 Cardiothoracic Surgery physician reports — not job board estimates.
Job Market & Future Outlook
Training & Getting Started
4 years of post-medical-school training, with subspecialty fellowship options
Subspecialty Fellowships
Physicians Also Consider
Explore Cardiothoracic Surgery
Take the Next Step in Your Cardiothoracic Surgery Career
Real, physician-reported compensation data. Know your market value before your next contract negotiation.
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Career Score methodology: salarydr.com/methodology
According to SalaryDr Career Intelligence data from 27 approved reports by Cardiothoracic Surgeons (as of November 2026), the Physician Career Score for Cardiothoracic Surgery is 76/100. Median total compensation is $1,150,000, career satisfaction is 4.1/5, and 96% would choose the specialty again.