Heart surgeons, formally called cardiothoracic or cardiac surgeons, perform complex surgical procedures on the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels.
They are consistently among the highest-paid physicians in the United States.
While BLS top-codes surgeon wages at $239,200+, physician compensation surveys typically place cardiothoracic surgeons with median annual earnings ranging from $500,000 to over $700,000, depending on procedure volume, practice model, and geographic location.
The overall surgeon salary landscape is broad, but cardiac surgery sits at or near the top of every major compensation survey.
Heart Surgeon Salary Overview
Cardiac surgeons are consistently ranked at the top of physician compensation surveys.
Median total compensation typically falls in the $500,000 to $700,000 range, with busy proceduralists in high-volume centers earning substantially more.
Academic cardiac surgeons at university medical centers typically earn less than private-practice equivalents.
For context, a brain surgeon salary and a neurosurgeon salary are the closest peers in compensation, both typically ranging from $600,000 to $800,000 for experienced practitioners.
A general surgeon salary sits below these subspecialties, typically in the $350,000 to $500,000 range.
The plastic surgeon salary can rival cardiac surgery in cosmetic-heavy private practices.
For a complete breakdown of how any hourly wage in these ranges translates to annual, monthly, weekly, and after-tax take-home, see our hourly-to-annual salary conversion guides.
Factors Affecting Heart Surgeon Income
Procedure volume has the most direct effect on income, as cardiac surgeons are often compensated partly on a per-procedure or RVU basis.
Geographic location matters, with urban markets and regions with higher cardiac disease prevalence supporting higher volumes.
Call coverage obligations and administrative roles also affect total compensation packages.
The anesthesiologist salary — typically $300,000 to $400,000 — is an important part of the care team compensation picture, as cardiac surgeons and anesthesiologists work closely together on every case.
Procedure-based specialties like cardiac surgery also depend heavily on well-compensated OR teams including cardiac sonographers who perform pre-operative imaging.
Training Required
Becoming a cardiac surgeon requires four years of undergraduate study, four years of medical school, a five-year general surgery residency, and a two- to three-year cardiothoracic surgery fellowship.
Total training is approximately 15 to 16 years, making it one of the longest surgical training pathways.
Given this extended training pathway, many cardiac surgeons begin their attending careers in their late 30s.
Maximizing retirement contributions from day one of an attending position is critical to building long-term wealth alongside the high earnings, and a Roth IRA conversion strategy during residency can provide meaningful tax diversification for the high-income years ahead.
Job Outlook
The BLS projects overall surgeon employment to grow modestly.
Cardiac surgery specifically faces some pressure from the expanding use of catheter-based and minimally invasive cardiac interventions performed by cardiologists rather than surgeons.
However, complex valve repairs, coronary bypass surgery, and aortic procedures continue to require surgical expertise.
The cost of living in Florida and the cost of living in Texas make those states attractive for cardiac surgeons seeking to maximize real take-home pay, as both have no state income tax and major cardiac care programs that support high procedure volumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a heart surgeon earn in 2026?
Physician compensation surveys typically report median annual earnings for cardiothoracic surgeons in the $500,000 to $700,000 range. High-volume proceduralists can earn more.
Are cardiac surgeons the highest-paid doctors?
Cardiothoracic and cardiac surgeons are consistently ranked among the top-earning physician specialties, alongside neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons. The anesthesiologist salary is another top-tier compensation point for comparison within the OR team.
How long does it take to become a cardiac surgeon?
Typically 15 to 16 years: 4 undergraduate, 4 medical school, 5-year general surgery residency, and a 2- to 3-year cardiothoracic fellowship.
Does procedure volume affect a cardiac surgeon's income?
Yes.
High-volume surgeons who perform a greater number of complex procedures annually typically earn more, especially in productivity-based compensation models.
Learning how to negotiate a salary offer is valuable even for cardiac surgeons entering employed positions, where base salary and RVU rates are often negotiable.
What is the job outlook for cardiac surgeons?
Demand for complex open cardiac procedures remains strong, though some procedures are shifting to catheter-based techniques performed by cardiologists.
Cardiac surgeons who adapt to hybrid approaches maintain strong career prospects.
For a broader look at physician employment trends, the doctor salary guide covers the full spectrum of physician specialties.
Sources & References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Physicians and Surgeons — https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — Surgeons — https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291067.htm
- Society of Thoracic Surgeons — Cardiothoracic Surgery Career Information — https://www.sts.org/
Last updated: April 27, 2026