Cardiology vs Orthopedic Surgery: Salary, Lifestyle & Training (2026)
Choosing between Cardiology and Orthopedic Surgery 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 Orthopedic Surgeon data from approved salary reports on SalaryDr. Cardiology requires 3yr IM residency + 3yr fellowship, while Orthopedic Surgery requires 5-year residency.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Cardiology | Orthopedic Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Median total pay | $620,000 → | $770,000 → |
| Middle 50% of pay | $516,000 – $715,000 | $652,500 – $850,000 |
| Approved reports | 180 | 125 |
| Training Length | 3yr IM residency + 3yr fellowship | 5-year residency |
| Practitioner Title | Cardiologist | Orthopedic Surgeon |
| 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 Orthopedic Surgery
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.
Orthopedic Surgery
5-year residency
Orthopedic Surgery residency is five years of intensive surgical training. Many graduates add one-year fellowships in sports medicine, spine surgery, hand surgery, or joint replacement, though fellowship is not required for most positions.
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 Orthopedic Surgery 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
Orthopedic Surgery
Demanding with significant call and trauma coverage. High physical demands.
- Average work week: 53 hours
- Take call: 90% of physicians
- Average PTO: 34 days/year
Satisfaction & Lifestyle by the Numbers
Based on 305 approved physician salary reports across both specialties.
| Metric | Cardiology | Orthopedic Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Career Satisfaction | 3.9/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Would Choose Again | 89% | 89% |
| Avg Hours/Week | 53 | 53 |
| Takes Call | 89% | 90% |
| Avg Call Days/Month | — | — |
| Avg PTO Days/Year | 43 | 34 |
| Physician Submissions | 180 submissions | 125 submissions |
Practice Setting Distribution
Where Cardiology and Orthopedic Surgery physicians work, based on approved salary reports. Practice setting significantly impacts both compensation and day-to-day lifestyle.
Cardiology
Based on 180 approved reports
Orthopedic Surgery
Based on 125 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.
Orthopedic Surgery Outlook
Orthopedic Surgery continues to see strong demand driven by an active aging population and advances in joint replacement technology. The specialty consistently ranks among the highest-compensated in medicine.
Compensation Growth Trajectory
Physician salaries in both Cardiology and Orthopedic Surgery 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 Orthopedic Surgery salary-by-experience pages.
Explore Deeper Data
Benchmark Reports
Lifestyle & Satisfaction
Is It Worth It?
Training & Residency
Related Comparisons
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