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The differences between cardiothoracic 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 cardiothoracic surgeon and a thoracic surgeon. Additionally, a thoracic surgeon has an average salary of $437,281, which is higher than the $409,035 average annual salary of a cardiothoracic surgeon.
The top three skills for a cardiothoracic surgeon include private practice, surgical procedures and MRI. The most important skills for a thoracic surgeon are patient care, CME, and lung cancer.
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | Thoracic Surgeon | |
| Yearly salary | $409,035 | $437,281 |
| Hourly rate | $196.65 | $210.23 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 3,612 | 3,460 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| 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.
A Thoracic Surgeon is often grouped with cardiac or heart specialists for cardiothoracic surgery. He/She is a surgeon who specializes in surgery that involves the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other major blood vessels inside the chest as well as surgery of the chest wall. As a thoracic surgeon, your job is to evaluate a patient's medical history and educate him or her about her condition as well as available options. Generally, you are expected to diagnose and treat diseases in the chest, and you'll do it sometimes by working closely with the primary care doctor or other specialists.
Cardiothoracic surgeons and thoracic surgeons have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | Thoracic Surgeon | |
| Average salary | $409,035 | $437,281 |
| Salary range | Between $205,000 And $813,000 | Between $217,000 And $880,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minneapolis, MN | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | Michigan | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Allina Health | Allina Health |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a cardiothoracic surgeon and a thoracic surgeon in terms of educational background:
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | Thoracic Surgeon | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Nursing |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | New York University |
Here are the differences between cardiothoracic surgeons' and thoracic surgeons' demographics:
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | Thoracic Surgeon | |
| Average age | 49 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.1% Female, 41.9% | Male, 35.3% Female, 64.7% |
| 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% |