Neurosurgery vs Cardiothoracic Surgery: Salary, Lifestyle & Training (2026)
Choosing between Neurosurgery and Cardiothoracic 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 Neurosurgeon salaries, lifestyle metrics, and training requirements compare to Cardiothoracic Surgeon data from approved salary reports on SalaryDr. Neurosurgery requires 7-year residency, while Cardiothoracic Surgery requires 5yr gen surgery + 2-3yr fellowship.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Neurosurgery | Cardiothoracic Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Median total pay | $890,000 → | $1,125,000 → |
| Middle 50% of pay | $845,000 – $1,000,000 | $766,500 – $1,250,000 |
| Approved reports | 99 | 27 |
| Training Length | 7-year residency | 5yr gen surgery + 2-3yr fellowship |
| Practitioner Title | Neurosurgeon | Cardiothoracic 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: Neurosurgery vs Cardiothoracic Surgery
Neurosurgery
7-year residency
Neurosurgery has the longest residency at seven years, reflecting the complexity and breadth of the field. The training investment is the highest among all specialties but is offset by strong compensation and surgical autonomy.
Cardiothoracic Surgery
5yr gen surgery + 2-3yr fellowship
Cardiothoracic Surgery traditionally requires five years of general surgery residency followed by a two- to three-year fellowship, though integrated six-year programs exist. The total training investment is among the highest in medicine.
Lifestyle & Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is one of the most important factors physicians weigh when choosing a specialty. Here is how Neurosurgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery compare on key lifestyle dimensions.
Neurosurgery
Most demanding surgical specialty with heavy call. Long cases and high acuity.
- Average work week: 62 hours
- Take call: 95% of physicians
- Average PTO: 38 days/year
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Very demanding with heavy call and long operative cases.
- Average work week: 72 hours
- Take call: 95% of physicians
- Average PTO: 46 days/year
Satisfaction & Lifestyle by the Numbers
Based on 126 approved physician salary reports across both specialties.
| Metric | Neurosurgery | Cardiothoracic Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Career Satisfaction | 4.1/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Would Choose Again | 91% | 96% |
| Avg Hours/Week | 62 | 72 |
| Takes Call | 95% | 95% |
| Avg Call Days/Month | — | — |
| Avg PTO Days/Year | 38 | 46 |
| Physician Submissions | 99 submissions | 27 submissions |
Practice Setting Distribution
Where Neurosurgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery physicians work, based on approved salary reports. Practice setting significantly impacts both compensation and day-to-day lifestyle.
Neurosurgery
Based on 99 approved reports
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Based on 27 approved reports
Career Outlook & Job Market
Neurosurgery Outlook
Neurosurgery has limited supply with approximately 250 residents graduating annually in the U.S. This scarcity, combined with the high-acuity nature of the work, supports the consistently highest compensation among physician specialties.
Cardiothoracic Surgery Outlook
CT Surgery faces aging workforce dynamics, with many surgeons approaching retirement. The rise of transcatheter valve procedures has shifted some volume but overall surgical demand remains robust.
Compensation Growth Trajectory
Physician salaries in both Neurosurgery and Cardiothoracic 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 Neurosurgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery salary-by-experience pages.
Explore Deeper Data
Benchmark Reports
Lifestyle & Satisfaction
Training & Residency
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