How much does a Cardiothoracic Surgeon make in the United States?
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The average Cardiothoracic Surgeon salary in the United States is $604,343 as of March 01, 2026. The range for our most popular Cardiothoracic Surgeon positions (listed below) typically falls between $310,463 and $898,222. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon 's Annual Base Salary
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Surgeon - Cardiothoracic | $549,734 | $264.30 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Surgeon | $458,186 | $220.28 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Surgeon - Oral | $332,199 | $159.71 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Surgeon - Vascular | $468,749 | $225.36 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Surgeon - Trauma | $471,653 | $226.76 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Surgeon - Pediatric | $523,060 | $251.47 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Surgeon - Burn | $501,411 | $241.06 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Surgeon - Neurology | $709,833 | $341.27 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Surgeon - Orthopedic | $567,652 | $272.91 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Surgeon - Plastic Reconstructive | $458,237 | $220.31 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
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Specializes in the diagnosis, medical management, and surgical treatment of patients with diseases of the heart and lungs. Determines which instruments and method of surgery will be most successful in achieving desired outcome. Identifies need for tests or follow-up visits. Reviews patient history and confirms need for surgery. May provide medical personnel with direction concerning patient care. May provide in-service training as needed to address new technology in health care treatment. Provides charting in compliance with all laws and regulations. Requires a MD degree from an accredited school. Typically reports to the chief of surgery. Requires a license to practice. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. View Surgeon - Cardiothoracic SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Surgeon - CardiothoracicCategory : Healthcare - Practitioners
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Performs surgery to prevent and correct injuries, deformities, diseases or improve patient function, appearance or quality of life. Reviews patient history and confirms need for surgery. Determines which instruments and method of surgery will be most successful in achieving desired outcome. May provide medical personnel with direction concerning patient care. May provide in-service training as needed to address new technology in health care treatment. Provides charting in compliance with all laws and regulations. Requires a MD degree from an accredited school. Typically reports to a medical director. Requires a license to practice. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. View Surgeon SalaryAlternate Job Titles:General Surgeon, Surgeon
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Performs oral surgery to prevent and correct injuries, deformities, diseases or improve patient function, appearance or quality of life. Reviews patient history and confirms need for oral surgery. Determines which instruments and method of oral surgery will be most successful in achieving desired outcome. Reviews patient history and confirms need for surgery. Provides charting in compliance with all laws and regulations. May provide medical personnel with direction concerning patient care. May provide in-service training as needed to address new technology in health care treatment. Requires a MD degree from an accredited school. Typically reports to the chief of surgery. Requires a license to practice. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. View Surgeon - Oral SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Oral Surgeon, Physician - Oral Surgery, Surgeon - OralCategory : Non-Profit and Social Services
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Specializes in the diagnosis, medical management, and surgical treatment of patients with diseases of the blood vessels outside the heart and brain. Determines which instruments and method of surgery will be most successful in achieving desired outcome. Identifies need for tests or follow-up visits. Reviews patient history and confirms need for surgery. May provide medical personnel with direction concerning patient care. May provide in-service training as needed to address new technology in health care treatment. Provides charting in compliance with all laws and regulations. Requires a MD degree from an accredited school. Typically reports to the chief of surgery. Requires a license to practice. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. View Surgeon - Vascular SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Physician - Vascular Surgery, Surgeon - VascularCategory : Healthcare - Practitioners
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Examines, diagnoses, and surgically treats critically injured patients. Performs emergency procedures including endotracheal tube intubation, tube thoracostomy, pericardiocentesis, ultrosonographic evaluation, and peritoneal lavage. Reviews patient history and confirms need for surgery. Determines which instruments and method of surgery will be most successful in achieving desired outcome. May provide medical personnel with direction concerning patient care. May provide in-service training as needed to address new technology in health care treatment. Provides charting in compliance with all laws and regulations. Requires a MD degree from an accredited school. Typically reports to the chief of surgery. Requires a license to practice. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. View Surgeon - Trauma SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Physician - Trauma Surgery, Surgeon - TraumaCategory : Healthcare - Practitioners
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Examines, diagnoses, and surgically treats children from the newborn stage through late adolescence. Treats a wide variety of problems children may have, which may include appendicitis, hernias, cancer, or a serious congenital anomaly. Reviews patient history and confirms need for surgery. Determines which instruments and method of surgery will be most successful in achieving desired outcome. May provide medical personnel with direction concerning patient care. May provide in-service training as needed to address new technology in health care treatment. Provides charting in compliance with all laws and regulations. Requires a MD degree from an accredited school. Typically reports to the chief of surgery. Requires a license to practice. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. View Surgeon - Pediatric SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Physician - Pediatric Surgery, Surgeon - PediatricCategory : Healthcare - Practitioners
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Examines, diagnoses, and surgically treats patients with burns from heat, cold, chemical, or electrical incidents. Performs escharectomy, skin grafting, and secondary burn surgery. Reviews patient history and confirms need for surgery. Determines which instruments and method of surgery will be most successful in achieving desired outcome. May provide medical personnel with direction concerning patient care. May provide in-service training as needed to address new technology in health care treatment. Provides charting in compliance with all laws and regulations. Requires a MD degree from an accredited school. Typically reports to the chief of surgery. Requires a license to practice. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. View Surgeon - Burn SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Burn Surgeon, Physician - Burn Surgery, Surgeon Burn Unit, Surgeon - BurnCategory : Healthcare - Practitioners
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Examines, diagnoses, and surgically treats disorders of the brain, spine, spinal cord, and nerves. Operates on the brain in order to relieve pressure in an intracranial hemorrhage, remove a foreign body such as a tumor, treat a wound, or relieve pain. Operates on the spine in order to free entrapped nerves, correct deformity, or restore spinal stability. Reviews patient history and confirms need for surgery. Determines which instruments and method of surgery will be most successful in achieving desired outcome. May provide medical personnel with direction concerning patient care. May provide in-service training as needed to address new technology in health care treatment. Provides charting in compliance with all laws and regulations. Requires a MD degree from an accredited school. Typically reports to the chief of surgery. Requires a license to practice. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. View Surgeon - Neurology SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Neurological Surgeon, Neurosurgeon, Physician - Neurosurgery, Surgeon - NeurologyCategory : Healthcare - Practitioners
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Examines, diagnoses, and surgically treats musculoskeletal diseases and injuries. Performs surgical procedures to immobilize fractures by using corrective devices such as braces, pins, casts, and splints. Reviews patient history and confirms need for surgery. Determines which instruments and method of surgery will be most successful in achieving desired outcome. May provide medical personnel with direction concerning patient care. May provide in-service training as needed to address new technology in health care treatment. Provides charting in compliance with all laws and regulations. Requires a MD degree from an accredited school. Typically reports to a medical director. Requires a license to practice. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. View Surgeon - Orthopedic SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Orthopedic /Joint Reconstruction Surgeon, Orthopedic Surgeon, Physician - Orthopedic Surgery, Surgeon - OrthopedicCategory : Healthcare - Practitioners
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Examines, diagnoses, and surgically treats patients that have abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, or disease. Performs surgery to improve functions and to approximate a normal appearance. Reviews patient history and confirms need for surgery. Determines which instruments and method of surgery will be most successful in achieving desired outcome. May provide medical personnel with direction concerning patient care. May provide in-service training as needed to address new technology in health care treatment. Provides charting in compliance with all laws and regulations. Requires a MD degree from an accredited school. Typically reports to the chief of surgery. Requires a license to practice. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. View Surgeon - Plastic Reconstructive SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Physician/Doctor, Plastic Reconstructive, Surgeon Cosmetic and Reconstructive, Surgeon - Plastic ReconstructiveCategory : Healthcare - Practitioners