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 approved physician salary reports to help you make an informed decision.
See how Cardiologist salaries, lifestyle metrics, and training requirements compare to Anesthesiologist data from approved salary reports on SalaryDr. Cardiology requires 3yr IM residency + 3yr fellowship, while Anesthesiology requires 4-year residency.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Cardiology | Anesthesiology |
|---|---|---|
| Median total pay | $620,000 → | $527,500 → |
| Middle 50% of pay | $516,000 – $715,000 | $465,000 – $600,000 |
| Approved reports | 180 | 166 |
| Training Length | 3yr IM residency + 3yr fellowship | 4-year residency |
| Practitioner Title | Cardiologist | Anesthesiologist |
| Lifestyle Rating | See details below | See details below |
Salary figures on each specialty page are recomputed from approved physician salary reports as new reports are approved.
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: 53 hours
- Take call: 89% of physicians
- Average PTO: 43 days/year
Anesthesiology
Variable lifestyle depending on practice. OR-based work with call. Some positions offer shift-based models.
- Average work week: 47 hours
- Take call: 89% of physicians
- Average PTO: 58 days/year
Satisfaction & Lifestyle by the Numbers
Based on 346 approved physician salary reports across both specialties.
| Metric | Cardiology | Anesthesiology |
|---|---|---|
| Career Satisfaction | 3.9/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Would Choose Again | 89% | 91% |
| Avg Hours/Week | 53 | 47 |
| Takes Call | 89% | 89% |
| Avg Call Days/Month | — | — |
| Avg PTO Days/Year | 43 | 58 |
| Physician Submissions | 180 submissions | 166 submissions |
Practice Setting Distribution
Where Cardiology and Anesthesiology physicians work, based on approved salary reports. Practice setting significantly impacts both compensation and day-to-day lifestyle.
Cardiology
Based on 180 approved reports
Anesthesiology
Based on 166 approved reports
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
Related Comparisons
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