Cardiology vs Gastroenterology: Salary, Lifestyle & Training (2026)
Choosing between Cardiology and Gastroenterology 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 Gastroenterologist data from verified submissions on SalaryDr. Cardiology requires 3yr IM residency + 3yr fellowship, while Gastroenterology requires 3yr IM residency + 3yr fellowship.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Cardiology | Gastroenterology |
|---|---|---|
| Training Length | 3yr IM residency + 3yr fellowship | 3yr IM residency + 3yr fellowship |
| Practitioner Title | Cardiologist | Gastroenterologist |
| Live Salary Data | View Cardiology salary → | View Gastroenterology 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 Gastroenterology
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.
Gastroenterology
3yr IM residency + 3yr fellowship
Gastroenterology requires three years of internal medicine residency plus a three-year GI fellowship. The procedural component (endoscopy, colonoscopy) makes it one of the more competitive medical subspecialties.
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 Gastroenterology compare on key lifestyle dimensions.
Cardiology
Busy schedule with call for interventional cardiologists. Non-invasive cardiology has better lifestyle.
- Average work week: 55 hours
- Take call: 89% of physicians
- Average PTO: 39 days/year
Gastroenterology
Good lifestyle with procedural variety. Call for endoscopy and GI bleeding.
- Average work week: 51 hours
- Take call: 96% of physicians
- Average PTO: 38 days/year
Satisfaction & Lifestyle by the Numbers
Based on 320 verified physician submissions across both specialties.
| Metric | Cardiology | Gastroenterology |
|---|---|---|
| Career Satisfaction | 3.9/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Would Choose Again | 90% | 94% |
| Avg Hours/Week | 55 | 51 |
| Takes Call | 89% | 96% |
| Avg Call Days/Month | — | — |
| Avg PTO Days/Year | 39 | 38 |
| Physician Submissions | 213 submissions | 107 submissions |
“Nothing you wouldn't already expect from a cardiology role.”— Cardiology Physician
“I work 4 days per week, about 32-36 hours/wk. 8 weeks of vacation although at my discretion I can take more. Half day spent in office and half a day s...”— Gastroenterology Physician
Practice Setting Distribution
Where Cardiology and Gastroenterology physicians work, based on verified salary submissions. Practice setting significantly impacts both compensation and day-to-day lifestyle.
Cardiology
Based on 213 verified submissions
Gastroenterology
Based on 107 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.
Gastroenterology Outlook
Gastroenterology benefits from strong procedural volume driven by colorectal cancer screening guidelines. The combination of cognitive complexity and procedural revenue supports consistently strong compensation.
Compensation Growth Trajectory
Physician salaries in both Cardiology and Gastroenterology 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 Gastroenterology salary-by-experience pages.
Explore Deeper Data
Benchmark Reports
Lifestyle & Satisfaction
Is It Worth It?
Training & Residency
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