Cardiology vs Dermatology: Salary, Lifestyle & Training (2026)
Choosing between Cardiology and Dermatology 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 Dermatologist data from verified submissions on SalaryDr. Cardiology requires 3yr IM residency + 3yr fellowship, while Dermatology requires 4-year residency (1yr internship + 3yr derm).
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Cardiology | Dermatology |
|---|---|---|
| Training Length | 3yr IM residency + 3yr fellowship | 4-year residency (1yr internship + 3yr derm) |
| Practitioner Title | Cardiologist | Dermatologist |
| Live Salary Data | View Cardiology salary → | View Dermatology 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 Dermatology
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.
Dermatology
4-year residency (1yr internship + 3yr derm)
Dermatology is one of the most competitive residencies, requiring a preliminary internship year followed by three years of dermatology training. The short training duration combined with excellent lifestyle and compensation makes it highly sought after.
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 Dermatology 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
Dermatology
Outstanding lifestyle with predictable office hours, minimal call, and minimal emergencies.
- Average work week: 41 hours
- Take call: 33% of physicians
- Average PTO: 44 days/year
Satisfaction & Lifestyle by the Numbers
Based on 295 verified physician submissions across both specialties.
| Metric | Cardiology | Dermatology |
|---|---|---|
| Career Satisfaction | 3.9/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Would Choose Again | 90% | 94% |
| Avg Hours/Week | 54 | 41 |
| Takes Call | 89% | 33% |
| Avg Call Days/Month | — | — |
| Avg PTO Days/Year | 39 | 44 |
| Physician Submissions | 204 submissions | 91 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
“Excellent. Work only 32 h a week, 9 weeks of pto, excellent flexibility with my schedule, great support from MA staff. ”— Dermatology Physician
Practice Setting Distribution
Where Cardiology and Dermatology physicians work, based on verified salary submissions. Practice setting significantly impacts both compensation and day-to-day lifestyle.
Cardiology
Based on 204 verified submissions
Dermatology
Based on 91 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.
Dermatology Outlook
Dermatology offers outstanding job prospects with consistent demand for both medical and cosmetic services. The limited number of training positions keeps supply constrained, supporting strong compensation.
Compensation Growth Trajectory
Physician salaries in both Cardiology and Dermatology 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 Dermatology salary-by-experience pages.
Explore Deeper Data
Benchmark Reports
Lifestyle & Satisfaction
Is It Worth It?
Training & Residency
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