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The differences between cardiothoracic surgeons and doctors 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 $208,582 average annual salary of a doctor.
The top three skills for a cardiothoracic surgeon include private practice, surgical procedures and MRI. The most important skills for a doctor are patients, customer service, and emergency medicine.
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | Doctor | |
| Yearly salary | $409,035 | $208,582 |
| Hourly rate | $196.65 | $100.28 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 3,612 | 14,571 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Average age | 49 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | - |
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.
A doctor is a medical expert who diagnoses and treats illnesses and injuries, often specializing in particular areas. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting initial interviews and examinations, studying a patient's medical history and laboratory results, providing consultations and care advice, prescribing medication, and referring patients to specialists when necessary. They must also coordinate and maintain an active communication line with nurses, administrators, and technicians for a smooth workflow. Moreover, a doctor must educate patients about their health conditions, helping them understand their situation better.
Cardiothoracic surgeons and doctors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | Doctor | |
| Average salary | $409,035 | $208,582 |
| Salary range | Between $205,000 And $813,000 | Between $106,000 And $408,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minneapolis, MN | Green Bay, WI |
| Highest paying state | Michigan | Ohio |
| Best paying company | Allina Health | Saint Luke's Health System |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a cardiothoracic surgeon and a doctor in terms of educational background:
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | Doctor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Medicine |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Duke University |
Here are the differences between cardiothoracic surgeons' and doctors' demographics:
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | Doctor | |
| Average age | 49 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.1% Female, 41.9% | Male, 45.8% Female, 54.2% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 13% |