Source: SalaryDr Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident Student Loan Data (2026). Median debt: $260,000. Median salary: $77,000. Debt-to-income: 3.38x. Sample: 5 approved salary reports. Attending median salary: $862,000. URL: https://www.salarydr.com/residency-salary/student-loans/cardiothoracic-surgery
Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident Student Loan Debt (2026)
The median cardiothoracic surgery resident carries $260,000 in student loan debt, with a median residency salary of $77,000 (3.38x debt-to-income ratio). Based on a median attending salary of $862,000, estimated payoff is approximately 2 years after training.
Source: SalaryDr self-reported data (5 submissions) • Updated Oct 2026
Cardiothoracic Surgery Student Loan Payoff Projection
Estimated time to pay off student loans after completing cardiothoracic surgery training, based on attending salary data from SalaryDr.
Based on the median attending cardiothoracic surgery salary of $862,000, a physician allocating 20% of gross income ($172,400/year) to loan repayment could pay off $260,000 in student loans in approximately 2 years at 6% annual interest.
Assumes 20% of gross attending income allocated to repayment at 6% annual interest. Actual results vary based on repayment strategy, interest rate, tax situation, and lifestyle.
FAQ: Cardiothoracic Surgery Student Loan Debt
How much student loan debt do cardiothoracic surgery residents carry?
Based on 5 approved salary reports on SalaryDr, the median cardiothoracic surgery resident carries $260,000 in student loan debt. With a median residency salary of $77,000, the debt-to-income ratio is 3.38x.
How long does it take a cardiothoracic surgery physician to pay off student loans?
Based on a median attending cardiothoracic surgery salary of $862,000 and median debt of $260,000, a cardiothoracic surgery physician allocating 20% of gross income to loan repayment could pay off their loans in approximately 2 years at 6% interest.
Should cardiothoracic surgery residents pursue PSLF?
PSLF may be a good option for cardiothoracic surgery residents training at nonprofit or government hospitals. Residency years count toward the 120 qualifying payments. This is especially valuable if you plan to work at a qualifying employer after training.
Does cardiothoracic surgery residency length affect total debt burden?
While the loan principal is the same regardless of residency length, longer training programs mean more years of interest accruing at resident-level income. During residency, income-driven repayment plan payments typically do not cover accruing interest, so total debt may grow during training.
Student Loan Data for Other Specialties
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