Cardiology vs Anesthesiology: Salary, Lifestyle & Training (2026)
Choosing between Cardiology and Anesthesiology involves weighing compensation, training length, work-life balance, call responsibilities, and long-term career satisfaction. This comparison uses verified physician data to help you make an informed decision.
See how Cardiologist salaries, lifestyle metrics, and training requirements compare to Anesthesiologist data from verified submissions on SalaryDr. Cardiology requires 3yr IM residency + 3yr fellowship, while Anesthesiology requires 4-year residency.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Cardiology | Anesthesiology |
|---|---|---|
| Training Length | 3yr IM residency + 3yr fellowship | 4-year residency |
| Practitioner Title | Cardiologist | Anesthesiologist |
| Live Salary Data | View Cardiology salary → | View Anesthesiology salary → |
| Lifestyle Rating | See details below | See details below |
Salary figures are updated in real-time on each specialty page from verified physician submissions.
Training Pathway: Cardiology vs Anesthesiology
Cardiology
3yr IM residency + 3yr fellowship
Becoming a cardiologist requires three years of internal medicine residency followed by a three-year cardiology fellowship — six years of post-medical-school training total. Interventional cardiology adds another one to two years.
Anesthesiology
4-year residency
Anesthesiology requires four years of training: a clinical base year followed by three years of anesthesiology-specific training. Fellowship options include pain medicine, cardiac anesthesiology, and critical care.
Lifestyle & Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is one of the most important factors physicians weigh when choosing a specialty. Here is how Cardiology and Anesthesiology compare on key lifestyle dimensions.
Cardiology
Busy schedule with call for interventional cardiologists. Non-invasive cardiology has better lifestyle.
- Average work week: 54 hours
- Take call: 89% of physicians
- Average PTO: 39 days/year
Anesthesiology
Variable lifestyle depending on practice. OR-based work with call. Some positions offer shift-based models.
- Average work week: 50 hours
- Take call: 90% of physicians
- Average PTO: 54 days/year
Satisfaction & Lifestyle by the Numbers
Based on 401 verified physician submissions across both specialties.
| Metric | Cardiology | Anesthesiology |
|---|---|---|
| Career Satisfaction | 3.9/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Would Choose Again | 90% | 91% |
| Avg Hours/Week | 54 | 50 |
| Takes Call | 89% | 90% |
| Avg Call Days/Month | — | — |
| Avg PTO Days/Year | 39 | 54 |
| Physician Submissions | 204 submissions | 197 submissions |
“I work very hard but feel appropriately compensated. Of my 75 hrs, 8 hrs on average are done from home (reading tests etc)”— Cardiology Physician
“I just cover outpatient surgery centers and each day is different. Sometimes they are longer days, but I have an idea of what the day will be like ahe...”— Anesthesiology Physician
Practice Setting Distribution
Where Cardiology and Anesthesiology physicians work, based on verified salary submissions. Practice setting significantly impacts both compensation and day-to-day lifestyle.
Cardiology
Based on 204 verified submissions
Anesthesiology
Based on 197 verified submissions
Career Outlook & Job Market
Cardiology Outlook
Cardiology demand remains robust, with interventional cardiologists commanding premium compensation. Structural heart disease and electrophysiology are particularly high-growth areas within the field.
Anesthesiology Outlook
Anesthesiology demand remains strong, though the competitive landscape includes CRNAs in some states. Subspecialization in cardiac, pediatric, or obstetric anesthesia can differentiate earning potential.
Compensation Growth Trajectory
Physician salaries in both Cardiology and Anesthesiology typically increase with experience, with the largest jumps in the first 5-10 years post-training. Partnership or ownership in private practice can meaningfully accelerate earnings. For detailed breakdowns, explore the Cardiology and Anesthesiology salary-by-experience pages.
Explore Deeper Data
Benchmark Reports
Lifestyle & Satisfaction
Is It Worth It?
Training & Residency
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