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Thoracic surgeon salary
Average thoracic surgeon salary
$437,281
Understanding Thoracic Surgeon Salaries
As of October 2025, thoracic surgeons in the United States earn an average salary of $437,281 annually, translating to about $210 per hour. Experience and geographic location significantly impact earnings. In states like California and New York, salaries can exceed the national average, reflecting the higher demand for specialized care.
Factors Influencing Salary
- Experience: Surgeons with more years in practice typically command higher salaries.
- Location: Urban centers often offer better compensation due to a higher cost of living.
- Subspecialties: Focusing on areas like cardiac surgery can lead to increased earnings.
Further, the landscape of thoracic surgery is evolving, with opportunities expanding in minimally invasive procedures and advanced technologies. Continuous education and specialization can enhance job prospects and salary potential. For those entering this field, understanding these factors can guide career decisions and help maximize earning potential.
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Where can a Thoracic Surgeon earn more?
Thoracic surgeon salary estimates from across the web
Average thoracic surgeon salary by state
The highest-paying states for thoracic surgeons are Minnesota, Maine, and Wisconsin. The lowest average thoracic surgeon salary states are Missouri, North Carolina, and California.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for thoracic surgeons
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | $222,605 | $107.02 |
| 2 | Wisconsin | $222,703 | $107.07 |
| 3 | Maine | $224,841 | $108.10 |
| 4 | Indiana | $222,438 | $106.94 |
| 5 | Minnesota | $226,526 | $108.91 |
| 6 | Alaska | $222,494 | $106.97 |
| 7 | Michigan | $218,965 | $105.27 |
| 8 | Kentucky | $220,381 | $105.95 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | $217,541 | $104.59 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $221,970 | $106.72 |
| 11 | Nebraska | $215,750 | $103.73 |
| 12 | Washington | $217,497 | $104.57 |
| 13 | Montana | $221,977 | $106.72 |
| 14 | Tennessee | $212,658 | $102.24 |
| 15 | Kansas | $217,634 | $104.63 |
| 16 | West Virginia | $213,034 | $102.42 |
| 17 | Vermont | $214,237 | $103.00 |
| 18 | Illinois | $217,736 | $104.68 |
| 19 | Connecticut | $216,871 | $104.26 |
| 20 | Alabama | $215,158 | $103.44 |
| 21 | Idaho | $214,076 | $102.92 |
| 22 | South Dakota | $209,321 | $100.64 |
| 23 | Delaware | $217,611 | $104.62 |
| 24 | Iowa | $212,960 | $102.38 |
| 25 | Georgia | $213,086 | $102.45 |
| 26 | Maryland | $219,169 | $105.37 |
| 27 | Texas | $212,147 | $101.99 |
| 28 | New Jersey | $216,780 | $104.22 |
| 29 | Louisiana | $212,525 | $102.18 |
| 30 | Ohio | $210,248 | $101.08 |
| 31 | Oklahoma | $211,682 | $101.77 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $204,939 | $98.53 |
| 33 | New York | $207,389 | $99.71 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $207,579 | $99.80 |
| 35 | Oregon | $206,338 | $99.20 |
| 36 | Wyoming | $203,763 | $97.96 |
| 37 | Massachusetts | $209,522 | $100.73 |
| 38 | Florida | $203,693 | $97.93 |
| 39 | Colorado | $212,012 | $101.93 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $196,140 | $94.30 |
| 41 | Utah | $207,541 | $99.78 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $207,560 | $99.79 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $194,861 | $93.68 |
| 44 | Arizona | $205,349 | $98.73 |
| 45 | Rhode Island | $207,946 | $99.97 |
| 46 | Nevada | $192,016 | $92.32 |
| 47 | Hawaii | $142,680 | $68.60 |
| 48 | Missouri | $201,966 | $97.10 |
| 49 | Virginia | $205,654 | $98.87 |
| 50 | California | $195,935 | $94.20 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | $202,217 | $97.22 |
Highest paying cities for thoracic surgeons
The highest-paying cities for thoracic surgeons are Minneapolis, MN, Grand Forks, ND, and Bellingham, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis, MN | $490,616 | $235.87 |
| 2 | Grand Forks, ND | $486,378 | $233.84 |
| 3 | Bellingham, WA | $462,477 | $222.34 |
| 4 | Madison, WI | $432,983 | $208.16 |
| 5 | Grand Rapids, MI | $404,226 | $194.34 |
| 6 | Erie, PA | $395,777 | $190.28 |
| 7 | Baltimore, MD | $372,632 | $179.15 |
| 8 | Aurora, CO | $364,160 | $175.08 |
| 9 | Hartford, CT | $357,390 | $171.82 |
| 10 | Jersey City, NJ | $356,418 | $171.35 |
| 11 | Wheeling, WV | $356,270 | $171.28 |
| 12 | Watertown, NY | $349,991 | $168.26 |
| 13 | Ogden, UT | $345,309 | $166.01 |
| 14 | Carbondale, IL | $343,879 | $165.33 |
| 15 | Oklahoma City, OK | $332,153 | $159.69 |
| 16 | Memphis, TN | $332,009 | $159.62 |
| 17 | Bossier City, LA | $328,714 | $158.04 |
| 18 | Mobile, AL | $326,538 | $156.99 |
| 19 | Cincinnati, OH | $323,505 | $155.53 |
| 20 | Albany, GA | $321,465 | $154.55 |
Thoracic surgeon salary details
A thoracic surgeon's salary ranges from $217,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $880,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a thoracic surgeon's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $880,000 | $73,333 | $423 |
| 75th Percentile | $631,000 | $52,583 | $303 |
| Average | $437,281 | $36,440 | $210 |
| 25th Percentile | $302,000 | $25,167 | $145 |
| 10th Percentile | $217,000 | $18,083 | $104 |
Highest paying thoracic surgeon jobs
The highest paying types of thoracic surgeons are foot and ankle surgeon, podiatric surgeon, and upper extremity surgeon.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neurosurgeon | $365,411 | $30,451 | $175.68 | 2,412 |
| Vascular Surgeon | $324,217 | $27,018 | $155.87 | 20,391 |
| Dental Surgeon | $279,537 | $23,295 | $134.39 | 32,596 |
| Surgeon | $155,553 | $12,963 | $74.78 | 37,918 |
| Hand Surgeon | $327,248 | $27,271 | $157.33 | 22,502 |
| General Surgeon | $223,321 | $18,610 | $107.37 | 45,174 |
Top companies hiring thoracic surgeons now:
Which companies pay thoracic surgeons the most?
Thoracic surgeon salaries at Allina Health and Altru Health System are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average thoracic surgeon salary at companies like SSM Health and University of Maryland, Baltimore are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allina Health | $574,088 | $276.00 |
| 2 | Altru Health System | $541,571 | $260.37 |
| 3 | SSM Health | $506,148 | $243.34 |
| 4 | University of Maryland, Baltimore | $498,421 | $239.63 |
| 5 | Rochester Regional Health | $498,354 | $239.59 |
| 6 | Dignity Health | $478,008 | $229.81 |
| 7 | Regional Medical Center- Orangeburg | $446,574 | $214.70 |
| 8 | Ascension Michigan | $445,090 | $213.99 |
| 9 | Virginia Mason Institute | $436,955 | $210.07 |
| 10 | InSync Healthcare Solutions | $429,311 | $206.40 |
| 11 | Catholic Health Initiatives - Colorado | $428,676 | $206.09 |
| 12 | Univ. Of Texas Cancer Ctr. | $428,150 | $205.84 |
| 13 | Tal Healthcare | $426,945 | $205.26 |
| 14 | CHRISTUS Health | $426,542 | $205.07 |
| 15 | Integrity Locums | $424,452 | $204.06 |
| 16 | Provider Solutions & Development | $422,977 | $203.35 |
| 17 | Fors Marsh Group | $404,608 | $194.52 |
| 18 | Berkshire Medical Center | $399,851 | $192.24 |
| 19 | Merritt Hawkins | $399,815 | $192.22 |
| 20 | The Moses H Cone Memorial Hospital | $385,764 | $185.46 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Thoracic surgeon salary trends
The average thoracic surgeon salary has risen by $56,555 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average thoracic surgeon earned $380,726 annually, but today, they earn $437,281 a year. That works out to a 5% change in pay for thoracic surgeons over the last decade.
Compare thoracic surgeon salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average thoracic surgeon salary over time
Compare thoracic surgeon salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Thoracic surgeon salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $437,000 | $210.23 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $427,000 | $205.13 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $419,000 | $201.67 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | $414,000 | $199.12 | -0.4% |
| 2021 | $416,000 | $199.93 | +2.1% |
Recently added thoracic surgeon salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Medsearch | Thoracic Surgery Job Near | London, KY | 06/10/2025 | $31,305 |
| Scpmg | Surgeon Thoracic | San Diego, CA | 06/09/2025 | $66,600 |
| Dignity Health | Thoracic Surgeon | Carmichael, CA | 05/17/2025 | $567,000 |
| Queens University of Charlotte | Thoracic Surgeon | Urban Honolulu, HI | 04/28/2025 | $553,227 |
| Scpmg | Surgeon Thoracic | San Diego, CA | 04/28/2025 | $66,600 |
| Physician Affiliate Group of New York | Thoracic Surgeon | New York, NY | 03/11/2025 | $225,414 |
| Cleveland Clinic Foundation | Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon | Cleveland, OH | 03/06/2025 | $110,000 |
| Mayo Clinc | Thoracic Surgeon | Rochester, MN | 02/28/2025 | $593,250 |
| Chi Health | Thoracic Surgeon | Omaha, NE | 02/20/2025 | $601,056 |
| Virginia | Thoracic Surgeon, Open Rank | Charlottesville, VA | 02/19/2025 | $73,226 |
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