Best cities for a cardiothoracic surgeon
The best cities for cardiothoracic surgeons are Detroit, MI, Lexington, KY, and Cleveland, OH, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for cardiothoracic surgeons vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for cardiothoracic surgeons in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a cardiothoracic surgeon or considering a move, this list of the best cities for cardiothoracic surgeons to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for cardiothoracic surgeons. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a cardiothoracic surgeon. While the absolute best city for cardiothoracic surgeons is Detroit, MI, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for cardiothoracic surgeons in 2024.
If you're looking for a cardiothoracic surgeon job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for cardiothoracic surgeons in 2026
1. Detroit, MI
Total cardiothoracic surgeon jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $429,109 Lowest 10 percent warn: $223,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $824,000 Location quotient: 2.13 2. Lexington, KY
Total cardiothoracic surgeon jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $377,099 Lowest 10 percent warn: $198,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $716,000 Location quotient: 4.83 3. Cleveland, OH
Total cardiothoracic surgeon jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $416,675 Lowest 10 percent warn: $217,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $797,000 Location quotient: 1.89 4. Pittsburgh, PA
Total cardiothoracic surgeon jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $399,268 Lowest 10 percent warn: $210,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $758,000 Location quotient: 2.98 5. Minneapolis, MN
Total cardiothoracic surgeon jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $461,736 Lowest 10 percent warn: $232,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $917,000 Location quotient: 1.59 6. Madison, WI
Total cardiothoracic surgeon jobs: 10 Average annual salary: $342,866 Lowest 10 percent warn: $175,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $671,000 Location quotient: 8.27 7. Wichita, KS
Total cardiothoracic surgeon jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $316,348 Lowest 10 percent warn: $164,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $608,000 Location quotient: 8.84 8. Columbus, OH
Total cardiothoracic surgeon jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $398,568 Lowest 10 percent warn: $208,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $762,000 Location quotient: 1.69 9. Indianapolis, IN
Total cardiothoracic surgeon jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $379,007 Lowest 10 percent warn: $197,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $728,000 Location quotient: 2.67 10. Milwaukee, WI
Total cardiothoracic surgeon jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $341,766 Lowest 10 percent warn: $175,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $667,000 Location quotient: 2.29
Best cities for cardiothoracic surgeons
- Detroit, MI
- Lexington, KY
- Cleveland, OH
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Minneapolis, MN
- Madison, WI
- Wichita, KS
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- Milwaukee, WI
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Detailed list of the best cities for a cardiothoracic surgeon
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit, MI | $429,109 | $223,000 | 672,795 | 3 |
| 2 | Lexington, KY | $377,099 | $198,000 | 318,449 | 2 |
| 3 | Cleveland, OH | $416,675 | $217,000 | 385,809 | 2 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $399,268 | $210,000 | 303,625 | 6 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $461,736 | $232,000 | 413,651 | 4 |
| 6 | Madison, WI | $342,866 | $175,000 | 252,551 | 10 |
| 7 | Wichita, KS | $316,348 | $164,000 | 389,902 | 5 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $398,568 | $208,000 | 860,090 | 5 |
| 9 | Indianapolis, IN | $379,007 | $197,000 | 855,164 | 7 |
| 10 | Milwaukee, WI | $341,766 | $175,000 | 595,047 | 3 |
| 11 | New Orleans, LA | $309,926 | $169,000 | 391,495 | 2 |
| 12 | Lincoln, NE | $370,042 | $187,000 | 280,364 | 1 |
| 13 | Toledo, OH | $422,639 | $219,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 14 | Portland, OR | $395,729 | $196,000 | 639,863 | 3 |
| 15 | Saint Paul, MN | $461,196 | $232,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 16 | Anchorage, AK | $466,081 | $223,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 17 | Philadelphia, PA | $380,281 | $204,000 | 1,567,872 | 2 |
| 18 | Omaha, NE | $376,442 | $190,000 | 446,970 | 1 |
| 19 | Fort Wayne, IN | $395,350 | $204,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 20 | Cincinnati, OH | $389,282 | $203,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 21 | Chicago, IL | $429,036 | $220,000 | 2,704,958 | 2 |
| 22 | Louisville, KY | $378,965 | $198,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 23 | Oklahoma City, OK | $318,558 | $169,000 | 638,367 | 1 |
| 24 | Scottsdale, AZ | $309,468 | $169,000 | 246,645 | 1 |
| 25 | Seattle, WA | $401,451 | $196,000 | 704,352 | 2 |
| 26 | Newark, NJ | $339,277 | $182,000 | 281,764 | 2 |
| 27 | Nashville, TN | $330,218 | $175,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 28 | Tulsa, OK | $327,069 | $173,000 | 403,090 | - |
| 29 | Memphis, TN | $319,816 | $170,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 30 | Phoenix, AZ | $308,564 | $168,000 | 1,615,017 | 3 |
| 31 | Buffalo, NY | $316,393 | $166,000 | 256,902 | 3 |
| 32 | Lubbock, TX | $303,565 | $164,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 33 | Tucson, AZ | $299,859 | $164,000 | 530,706 | 1 |
| 34 | Atlanta, GA | $324,037 | $174,000 | 472,522 | 1 |
| 35 | Plano, TX | $303,553 | $164,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 36 | Winston-Salem, NC | $259,601 | $139,000 | 242,203 | 1 |
| 37 | Denver, CO | $346,896 | $176,000 | 693,060 | - |
| 38 | Garland, TX | $302,859 | $164,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 39 | Aurora, CO | $346,364 | $176,000 | 361,710 | - |
| 40 | Irving, TX | $302,161 | $164,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 41 | Dallas, TX | $301,802 | $164,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 42 | Colorado Springs, CO | $336,733 | $173,000 | 465,101 | - |
| 43 | Albuquerque, NM | $288,247 | $155,000 | 559,277 | 1 |
| 44 | Glendale, AZ | $308,281 | $168,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 45 | Kansas City, MO | $293,556 | $151,000 | 481,420 | 1 |
| 46 | Baltimore, MD | $357,366 | $190,000 | 614,664 | 1 |
| 47 | Mesa, AZ | $307,784 | $168,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 48 | Gilbert, AZ | $307,193 | $168,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 49 | Fort Worth, TX | $301,238 | $163,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 50 | Chandler, AZ | $307,101 | $168,000 | 247,477 | - |
Highest paying cities for cardiothoracic surgeons
| Rank | City | Avg. cardiothoracic surgeon salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis, MN | $461,736 |
| 2 | Grand Rapids, MI | $443,211 |
| 3 | Hoffman Estates, IL | $433,250 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $399,268 |
| 5 | Columbus, OH | $398,568 |
| 6 | Bangor, ME | $383,124 |
| 7 | Indianapolis, IN | $379,007 |
| 8 | Springfield, OR | $374,462 |
| 9 | Pocatello, ID | $361,629 |
| 10 | Madison, WI | $342,866 |
| 11 | Ridgewood, NJ | $341,667 |
| 12 | Kansas City, KS | $333,144 |
| 13 | Meridian, MS | $325,990 |
| 14 | Charleston, WV | $324,944 |
| 15 | Amarillo, TX | $318,228 |
| 16 | Buffalo, NY | $316,393 |
| 17 | New Orleans, LA | $309,926 |
| 18 | Peoria, AZ | $309,725 |
| 19 | Andover, MA | $298,190 |
| 20 | Kansas City, MO | $293,556 |
Cardiothoracic surgeon best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025