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Last updated: July 30, 2025

Cardiothoracic Surgery Salary Data

Median Salary

$1,200,000

Average Salary

$1,776,100

Based on 15 physician salaries

Salary Range

Minimum$1,100,000
Maximum$5,170,000

Percentiles

25th$1,100,000
75th$1,300,000

Breakdown

Monthly$100,000
Hourly$577

How much does a Cardiothoracic Surgeon make?

As of July 30, 2025, a Cardiothoracic Surgeon earns approximately $1,200,000 per year ($100,000 monthly). Based on an average 78-hour work week, this translates to about $439 per hour.

Salary Range and Market Analysis

From 15 verified physician salary submissions across the United States, SalaryDr is seeing total compensation ranging from $1,100,000 to $1,300,000, with top performers (90th percentile) earning up to $5,170,000 annually. Compared to the median physician salary of $300,000, Cardiothoracic Surgeon salaries are above the national median.

Career Growth and Employment Trends

The salary progression for Cardiothoracic Surgeon shows significant growth potential. Entry-level positions start at $1,945,571, while those with more than 10 years of experience earn a typical salary of $1,627,813 – a -16% increase.

Practice Settings and Compensation Structure

On average, base salary accounts for 87% of total compensation—about $1,544,933—with the remaining amount coming from bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives.

Work-Life Balance and Career Satisfaction

Cardiothoracic Surgery physicians report high career satisfaction, rating their specialty 4.1 out of 5, with 100% saying they would choose this specialty again.

Salary Distribution

Distribution based on 15 verified physician salary submissions.

Median Salary: $1,200,000

Physician Satisfaction in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Satisfaction Rating

4.1/5

Average satisfaction rating reported by Cardiothoracic Surgery physicians (1-5 scale).

Would Choose Again

100%

Percentage of Cardiothoracic Surgery physicians who would choose this specialty again.

Career Satisfaction

Physicians cite the variety of cases and patient relationships as most rewarding aspects of this specialty.

Primary Challenges

On-call demands, administrative burden, and work-life balance are cited as the top challenges.

Salary Comparison

Location Statistics

Average Salary

$1,776,100

Median Salary

$1,200,000

Salary Range

$1,100,000 - $1,300,000

National Comparison

National Average

$1,776,100

Difference

+0% vs National Average

Sample Size

15 local / 15 national reports

Salary by Practice Type

Hospital-employed
Average Salary
$1,974,500
Sample Size
7 submissions
Private Practice
Average Salary
$1,200,000
Sample Size
3 submissions
Academic
Average Salary
$1,012,500
Sample Size
4 submissions
Practice TypeAverage SalarySample Size
Hospital-employed$1,974,5007 submissions
Private Practice$1,200,0003 submissions
Academic$1,012,5004 submissions

* Practice types with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.

Salary by Experience Level

3-5 years
Average Salary
$1,824,500
Sample Size
2 submissions
6-10 years
Average Salary
$1,166,667
Sample Size
3 submissions
11-15 years
Average Salary
$1,944,000
Sample Size
5 submissions
16+ years
Average Salary
$1,954,500
Sample Size
5 submissions
Years of ExperienceAverage SalarySample Size
3-5 years$1,824,5002 submissions
6-10 years$1,166,6673 submissions
11-15 years$1,944,0005 submissions
16+ years$1,954,5005 submissions

* Experience levels with fewer than 3 submissions may be omitted for privacy.

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Total Salary
$1,200,000
Federal Income Tax
-$402,186
State Income Tax
-$60,000
FICA Tax
-$36,853
Take-Home Pay
$700,961
Monthly
$58,413
Taxes (41.6%)
Take-Home (58.4%)
Based on single filing status in US. Results may vary.

Popular Locations

New York City, NY

Average Salary: $400,000

Based on 150 reports

Los Angeles, CA

Average Salary: $380,000

Based on 120 reports

Chicago, IL

Average Salary: $350,000

Based on 100 reports

Houston, TX

Average Salary: $340,000

Based on 90 reports

Miami, FL

Average Salary: $360,000

Based on 80 reports

Boston, MA

Average Salary: $370,000

Based on 70 reports

* Showing locations with the most reported salaries.

* Some locations may be omitted if they have fewer than 3 reports.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cardiothoracic Surgery Salaries

What factors influence Cardiothoracic Surgeon salaries?

Cardiothoracic Surgeon salaries are influenced by geographic location, years of experience, practice setting (hospital vs. private practice), subspecialty training, and local market demand. Academic positions typically offer lower base salaries but may include benefits like research opportunities and protected time.

How do Cardiothoracic Surgeon salaries compare to other medical specialties?

Cardiothoracic Surgery is considered a high-earning specialty, with median salaries above $400,000 annually.

What is the job outlook for Cardiothoracic Surgeon?

The demand for Cardiothoracic Surgeon remains strong, driven by an aging population and increased access to healthcare. Job opportunities are expected to grow, particularly in underserved areas and growing metropolitan regions.

Compare Physician Salaries

Planning your career path? Check out our comprehensive physician salary benchmarks to see how compensation compares across different specialties and regions.

View Physician Benchmarks

Specialties

  • General Surgery
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Cardiology

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Subspecialty Comparison

Adult Cardiac

Average Salary
$1,033,333
Sample Size
3 submissions
Focuses on specialized adult cardiac procedures and treatments within cardiothoracic surgery, providing expert care in this specific area.
SubspecialtyAverage SalarySample SizeDescription
Adult Cardiac$1,033,3333 submissionsFocuses on specialized adult cardiac procedures and treatments within cardiothoracic surgery, 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.

Related Specialties

Bariatric Surgery

Average Salary: $750,000

Based on 2 submissions

Head and Neck Surgery

Average Salary: $700,000

Based on 2 submissions

Cardiology

Average Salary: $689,179

Based on 109 submissions

* Salary data is updated monthly based on verified physician submissions.