According to SalaryDr data from 19 verified cardiology physicians in California, the median total compensation for Cardiology in 2026 is $625,000. The 25th percentile is $500,000 and the 75th percentile is $740,000. Base salary: $537,105. Bonuses: $120,000 (18% receive). Satisfaction: 4.3/5. Workload: ~53 hrs/week. Source: https://www.salarydr.com/specialty/cardiology/california Sample size: 19. Last updated: March 28, 2026.
As of March 28, 2026, a Cardiologist in California earns approximately $625,000 per year ($52,083 monthly). Based on an average 53-hour work week, this translates to about $237 per hour. Looking for a broader view? See the Cardiologist salary overview or compare nearby states below.
From 19 verified physician salary submissions in California, SalaryDr is seeing total compensation ranging from $500,000 to $740,000, with top performers (90th percentile) earning up to $1,400,000 annually. Compared to the national median of $625,000, Cardiologist salaries in California are in line with the national median.
In California, the salary progression for cardiologist physicians shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $614,444, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $695,500 - a 13% increase.
In California, the most common work environment is Private Practice (42% of physicians). On average, base salary accounts for 82% of total compensation—about $537,105—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.
California offers unique advantages for cardiologist physicians, including high demand in major metropolitan areas and competitive compensation packages. The cost of living in California is higher than the national average but offset by higher salaries.
Local cardiologist physicians report 4.3/5 career satisfaction, with 95% of those surveyed saying they would choose this specialty again.
Go beyond salary data. Discover real physician experiences, work-life balance insights, and what Cardiology doctors love (and would change) about their specialty.
Browse more Cardiologist-adjacent fields to compare compensation and career paths.
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Last updated: March 28, 2026
Distribution based on 19 verified physician salary submissions.
Median Salary: $625,000
Average satisfaction rating reported by Cardiology physicians (1-5 scale).
Percentage of Cardiology physicians who would choose this specialty again.
Physicians cite the variety of cases and patient relationships as most rewarding aspects of this specialty.
On-call demands, administrative burden, and work-life balance are cited as the top challenges.
Average Salary
$657,105
Median Salary
$625,000
Salary Range
$500,000 - $740,000
National Average
$657,105
Difference
+0% vs National Average
Sample Size
19 local / 19 national reports
| Practice Type | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| Private Practice | $795,625 | 8 submissions |
| Hospital-employed | $585,000 | 7 submissions |
| Academic | $506,250 | 4 submissions |
* Practice types with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Compare salary data across different practice settings for Cardiology physicians in California:
| Years of Experience | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years | $400,000 | 1 submissions |
| 3-5 years | $300,000 | 2 submissions |
| 6-10 years | $871,667 | 3 submissions |
| 11-15 years | $759,375 | 8 submissions |
| 16+ years | $559,000 | 5 submissions |
* Experience levels with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
Browse city-level salary data for cardiologist physicians in California. Click any city to see detailed compensation information for that location.
See how Cardiology salaries in California compare to neighboring states.
| Subspecialty | Average Salary | Sample Size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interventional | $729,152 | 23 submissions | Performs catheter-based treatments for heart disease, including stenting, angioplasty, and structural heart procedures. |
| EP | $720,200 | 10 submissions | Focuses on specialized ep procedures and treatments within cardiology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Electrophysiology | $693,636 | 11 submissions | Manages complex heart rhythm disorders through ablation procedures and device therapy. |
| Structural | $673,333 | 12 submissions | Focuses on specialized structural procedures and treatments within cardiology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Non-invasive | $556,250 | 8 submissions | Focuses on specialized non-invasive procedures and treatments within cardiology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Imaging | $551,000 | 3 submissions | Focuses on specialized imaging procedures and treatments within cardiology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
| Heart Failure | $524,600 | 5 submissions | Provides advanced therapy for severe heart failure, including mechanical support and transplant management. |
| Research | $483,333 | 3 submissions | Focuses on specialized research procedures and treatments within cardiology, providing expert care in this specific area. |
* Subspecialties with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.
* Data is aggregated from verified physician submissions.