Is thoracic surgery worth it in 2026?

Based on 20 verified physician submissions on SalaryDr, 95% of thoracic surgery physicians would choose their specialty again. The median thoracic surgery physician salary is $810,000 per year, working an average of 62 hours per week.

How satisfied are thoracic surgery physicians?

Thoracic Surgery Physicians report an average career satisfaction of 4.1 out of 5, and 95% say they would choose thoracic surgery again. This is based on 20 verified physician submissions on SalaryDr.

What is the average thoracic surgery physician salary?

The average thoracic surgery physician salary is $787,500 per year, with a median of $810,000. The 25th percentile earns $710,000 and the 75th percentile earns $850,000, based on 20 verified submissions on SalaryDr.

Source: SalaryDr satisfaction data for Thoracic Surgery (N=20 verified submissions, updated May 13, 2026, data as of 2026-05-13). URL: https://www.salarydr.com

Last updated: May 13, 2026 | Based on 20 verified submissions

Is Thoracic Surgery Worth It? (2026)

At a Glance: Is Thoracic Surgery Worth It?

95% of thoracic surgery physicians would choose their specialty again, with an average satisfaction of 4.1/5 and median salary of $810,000, based on 20 verified physician submissions on SalaryDr.

Satisfaction: 4.1/5
Would Choose Again: 95%
Median Salary: $810,000
Avg Hours: 62/wk

Source: SalaryDr Physician Salary Database, updated May 13, 2026

The Numbers

Median

$810,000

Average

$787,500

25th

$710,000

75th

$850,000

Based on 20 physician salaries

Salary Distribution

$710K$710,000 – $920K$920,000

25th

$710K$710,000

Median

$810K$810,000

75th

$850K$850,000

Avg

Middle 50% earn

$710K$710,000 – $850K$850,000

Median salary

$810K$810,000

Average salary

$788K$787,500

Salary Range

Minimum$710,000

Maximum$1,200,000

Percentiles

25th$710,000

75th$850,000

Breakdown

Monthly$67,500

Hourly$389

Satisfaction Breakdown

Career Satisfaction4.1 / 5

Based on 20 physician responses (1 = very dissatisfied, 5 = very satisfied)

Would Choose Again95%

19 of 20 respondents would choose thoracic surgery again

Average Hours Worked62 hrs/week

Based on 20 physician responses (bar scaled to 80 hrs/week)

Explore More

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Help Improve Thoracic Surgery Satisfaction Data

Share your compensation and career satisfaction anonymously to help colleagues make informed decisions about thoracic surgery.

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Source: SalaryDr satisfaction data for Thoracic Surgery (N=20 verified submissions, updated May 13, 2026, data as of 2026-05-13). URL: https://www.salarydr.com

Last updated: May 13, 2026 | Based on 20 verified submissions

Is Thoracic Surgery Worth It? (2026)

At a Glance: Is Thoracic Surgery Worth It?

Satisfaction: 4.1/5
Would Choose Again: 95%
Median Salary: $810,000
Avg Hours: 62/wk

Source: SalaryDr Physician Salary Database, updated May 13, 2026

The Numbers

Median

$810,000

Average

$787,500

25th

$710,000

75th

$850,000

Based on 20 physician salaries

Salary Distribution

$710K$710,000 – $920K$920,000

25th

$710K$710,000

Median

$810K$810,000

75th

$850K$850,000

Avg

Middle 50% earn

$710K$710,000 – $850K$850,000

Median salary

$810K$810,000

Average salary

$788K$787,500

Salary Range

Minimum$710,000

Maximum$1,200,000

Percentiles

25th$710,000

75th$850,000

Breakdown

Monthly$67,500

Hourly$389

Satisfaction Breakdown

Career Satisfaction4.1 / 5

Based on 20 physician responses (1 = very dissatisfied, 5 = very satisfied)

Would Choose Again95%

19 of 20 respondents would choose thoracic surgery again

Average Hours Worked62 hrs/week

Based on 20 physician responses (bar scaled to 80 hrs/week)

Explore More

Help Improve Thoracic Surgery Satisfaction Data

Share your compensation and career satisfaction anonymously to help colleagues make informed decisions about thoracic surgery.

Submit Your Salary