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The differences between vascular 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 vascular surgeon and a thoracic surgeon. Additionally, a thoracic surgeon has an average salary of $437,281, which is higher than the $324,217 average annual salary of a vascular surgeon.
The top three skills for a vascular surgeon include patients, patient care and private practice. The most important skills for a thoracic surgeon are patient care, CME, and lung cancer.
| Vascular Surgeon | Thoracic Surgeon | |
| Yearly salary | $324,217 | $437,281 |
| Hourly rate | $155.87 | $210.23 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 20,391 | 3,460 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 25% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 49 | 49 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An avascular surgeon is a medical expert who specializes in treating conditions that affect blood vessels, primarily by performing surgeries. Before conducting surgical procedures, they must study the patients' medical histories, coordinate with staff and other experts, perform tests and examinations, determine surgical risks, and provide patients with consultations. It is also their duty to answer and address the patients' inquiries and concerns, explaining the extent and risks of procedures. Moreover, a vascular surgeon must build positive relationships with patients to help them and their families feel comfortable throughout the process.
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.
Vascular surgeons and thoracic surgeons have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Vascular Surgeon | Thoracic Surgeon | |
| Average salary | $324,217 | $437,281 |
| Salary range | Between $169,000 And $619,000 | Between $217,000 And $880,000 |
| Highest paying City | Eau Claire, WI | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Yuma Regional Medical Center | Allina Health |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a vascular surgeon and a thoracic surgeon in terms of educational background:
| Vascular Surgeon | Thoracic Surgeon | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 25% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Medicine | Nursing |
| Most common college | Duke University | New York University |
Here are the differences between vascular surgeons' and thoracic surgeons' demographics:
| Vascular Surgeon | Thoracic Surgeon | |
| Average age | 49 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0% | 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% |