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 verified physician data to help you make an informed decision.
See how Neurosurgeon salaries, lifestyle metrics, and training requirements compare to Cardiothoracic Surgeon data from verified submissions 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Training Length | 7-year residency | 5yr gen surgery + 2-3yr fellowship |
| Practitioner Title | Neurosurgeon | Cardiothoracic Surgeon |
| Live Salary Data | View Neurosurgery salary → | View Cardiothoracic Surgery 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: 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: 65 hours
- Take call: 95% of physicians
- Average PTO: 37 days/year
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Very demanding with heavy call and long operative cases.
- Average work week: 73 hours
- Take call: 94% of physicians
- Average PTO: 85 days/year
Satisfaction & Lifestyle by the Numbers
Based on 137 verified physician submissions across both specialties.
| Metric | Neurosurgery | Cardiothoracic Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Career Satisfaction | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Would Choose Again | 91% | 100% |
| Avg Hours/Week | 65 | 73 |
| Takes Call | 95% | 94% |
| Avg Call Days/Month | — | — |
| Avg PTO Days/Year | 37 | 85 |
| Physician Submissions | 107 submissions | 30 submissions |
““A melhor parte é que estou recebendo um seguro de saúde””— Neurosurgery Physician
“It’s a bit hard I get called in even when I’m sleeping ”— Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician
Practice Setting Distribution
Where Neurosurgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery physicians work, based on verified salary submissions. Practice setting significantly impacts both compensation and day-to-day lifestyle.
Neurosurgery
Based on 107 verified submissions
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Based on 30 verified submissions
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.
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Lifestyle & Satisfaction
Training & Residency
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