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The differences between cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cardiothoracic surgeon has an average salary of $409,035, which is higher than the $299,848 average annual salary of a cardiologist.
The top three skills for a cardiologist include cardiology, patients and patient care. The most important skills for a cardiothoracic surgeon are private practice, surgical procedures, and MRI.
| Cardiologist | Cardiothoracic Surgeon | |
| Yearly salary | $299,848 | $409,035 |
| Hourly rate | $144.16 | $196.65 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 2,849 | 3,612 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Average age | 48 | 49 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
A cardiologist is an expert at diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases. They are primarily in charge of conducting initial assessment and interview, conducting extensive examinations, studying the patient's medical history, and recommending the best care practices for patients. A cardiologist must also discuss the situation with patients, helping them understand the extent of their conditions and corresponding procedures, referring them to other services as needed. Furthermore, there are instances when a cardiologist must use imaging equipment for diagnosis, prescribe medication, and perform surgeries.
A cardiothoracic surgeon specializes in performing surgeries on the heart, esophagus, lungs, and other organs within the chest to treat different health conditions, some even life-threatening. A cardiothoracic surgeon is responsible for studying the patients' medical records and histories, conducting extensive tests and examinations, coordinating with physicians and other experts, and helping patients understand the extent and risks of the operations. They are also responsible for monitoring the patients' conditions after surgeries, conducting tests as necessary. Moreover, they maintain an open and transparent communication line with nurses and other staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cardiologist | Cardiothoracic Surgeon | |
| Average salary | $299,848 | $409,035 |
| Salary range | Between $150,000 And $597,000 | Between $205,000 And $813,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fargo, ND | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | Michigan |
| Best paying company | Billings Clinic | Allina Health |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a cardiologist and a cardiothoracic surgeon in terms of educational background:
| Cardiologist | Cardiothoracic Surgeon | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Most common major | Medicine | Nursing |
| Most common college | Emory University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between cardiologists' and cardiothoracic surgeons' demographics:
| Cardiologist | Cardiothoracic Surgeon | |
| Average age | 48 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0% | Male, 58.1% Female, 41.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 Percentage | 13% | 12% |