Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between cardiothoracic surgeons and orthopedic 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 cardiothoracic surgeon and an orthopedic surgeon. Additionally, a cardiothoracic surgeon has an average salary of $409,035, which is higher than the $137,571 average annual salary of an orthopedic surgeon.
The top three skills for a cardiothoracic surgeon include private practice, surgical procedures and MRI. The most important skills for an orthopedic surgeon are patients, spine, and EMR.
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | Orthopedic Surgeon | |
| Yearly salary | $409,035 | $137,571 |
| Hourly rate | $196.65 | $66.14 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 3,612 | 5,046 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Average age | 49 | 49 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 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.
An orthopedic surgeon specializes in performing surgeries to treat different issues concerning a patient's musculoskeletal system. Their responsibilities primarily revolve around conducting extensive examinations on a patient to determine their condition, analyzing their medical records, coordinating with nurses and other specialists to ensure the accuracy of treatments, and maintaining a thorough record of information. Records include appointments, comments, and results. There are also instances when a surgeon must refer patients to therapists and provide advice for post-surgery care. Furthermore, it is essential to monitor a patient's condition before and after surgery.
Cardiothoracic surgeons and orthopedic surgeons have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | Orthopedic Surgeon | |
| Average salary | $409,035 | $137,571 |
| Salary range | Between $205,000 And $813,000 | Between $73,000 And $257,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minneapolis, MN | Brockton, MA |
| Highest paying state | Michigan | Maine |
| Best paying company | Allina Health | Trinity Health |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a cardiothoracic surgeon and an orthopedic surgeon in terms of educational background:
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | Orthopedic Surgeon | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Nursing |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | New York University |
Here are the differences between cardiothoracic surgeons' and orthopedic surgeons' demographics:
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | Orthopedic Surgeon | |
| Average age | 49 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.1% Female, 41.9% | Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9% |
| 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, 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 | 12% | 12% |