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Cardiac surgeon vs thoracic surgeon

The differences between cardiac surgeons and thoracic surgeons can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a cardiac surgeon and a thoracic surgeon. Additionally, a thoracic surgeon has an average salary of $437,281, which is higher than the $381,912 average annual salary of a cardiac surgeon.

The top three skills for a cardiac surgeon include cardiovascular surgery, heart procedures and . The most important skills for a thoracic surgeon are patient care, CME, and lung cancer.

Cardiac surgeon vs thoracic surgeon overview

Cardiac SurgeonThoracic Surgeon
Yearly salary$381,912$437,281
Hourly rate$183.61$210.23
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs5,9203,460
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 30%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4949
Years of experience66

Cardiac surgeon vs thoracic surgeon salary

Cardiac surgeons and thoracic surgeons have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cardiac SurgeonThoracic Surgeon
Average salary$381,912$437,281
Salary rangeBetween $196,000 And $743,000Between $217,000 And $880,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MNMinneapolis, MN
Highest paying stateAlaskaMinnesota
Best paying companyAllina HealthAllina Health
Best paying industry--

Differences between cardiac surgeon and thoracic surgeon education

There are a few differences between a cardiac surgeon and a thoracic surgeon in terms of educational background:

Cardiac SurgeonThoracic Surgeon
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 30%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityNew York University

Cardiac surgeon vs thoracic surgeon demographics

Here are the differences between cardiac surgeons' and thoracic surgeons' demographics:

Cardiac SurgeonThoracic Surgeon
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 64.7% Female, 35.3%Male, 35.3% Female, 64.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 1.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 5.0% Asian, 12.7% White, 76.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 1.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 5.0% Asian, 12.7% White, 76.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between cardiac surgeon and thoracic surgeon duties and responsibilities

Cardiac surgeon example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate with patients and medical staff at civilian and military treatment facilities to schedule medical appointments and retrieve medical documentation.
  • Handle confidential and sensitive information with accuracy and according to HIPAA policies.

Thoracic surgeon example responsibilities.

  • Room patients, check vitals, verify meds, H+P on new patients, EKG as requested by provider.
  • Coordinate with patients and medical staff at civilian and military treatment facilities to schedule medical appointments and retrieve medical documentation.
  • Apply all HIPPA guidelines to everyday office procedures

Cardiac surgeon vs thoracic surgeon skills

Common cardiac surgeon skills
  • Cardiovascular Surgery, 77%
  • Heart Procedures, 23%
Common thoracic surgeon skills
  • Patient Care, 57%
  • CME, 21%
  • Lung Cancer, 14%
  • Surgical Procedures, 5%
  • Community Hospital, 4%
  • EKG, 0%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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