Cardiologist salary
Cardiologists in the U.S. earned an average of $454,940 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. About 14 years after high school: 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, 3 years of residency and 3 years of fellowship.
- Average pay$454,940a year, May 2025
- Past year+5.2%+2.6% a year since 2022
- Middle half earns$274k–$610k25th to 75th percentile
- Rank#2of 24 careers; 17,290 jobs
Pay since 2022
Doctors who treat children's hearts are counted with pediatricians, not here. Some cardiologists train longer, for example in interventional cardiology.
| 2025 | $454,940 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $432,490 |
| 2023 | $423,250 |
| 2022 | $421,330 |
| 10th percentile | $107,190 |
|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $274,280 |
| Median | $496,010 |
| 75th percentile | $610,060 |
| 90th percentile | $712,130 |
The path to becoming one
About 14 years after high school: 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, 3 years of residency and 3 years of fellowship.
- College4 years - Bachelor's degree
- Medical school4 years - MD or DO degree
- Residency3 years - Internal medicine residency
- Fellowship3 years - Cardiovascular disease fellowship
How it compares
| Career | Average pay | Training after high school |
|---|---|---|
| Pediatric Surgeons | $502,050 | 15 years |
| Cardiologists | $454,940 | 14 years |
| Radiologists | $381,530 | 13 years |
| Surgeons | $373,930 | 13 years |
| Orthopedic Surgeons | $373,570 | 13 years |
| Anesthesiologists | $360,570 | 12 years |
| Oral Surgeons | $346,490 | 12 years |
| Dermatologists | $323,530 | 12 years |
| Emergency Medicine Physicians | $317,480 | 11 years |
| Ophthalmologists | $304,650 | 12 years |
| Pathologists | $285,420 | 12 years |
| OB/GYNs | $279,040 | 12 years |
| Psychiatrists | $269,940 | 12 years |
| Neurologists | $267,630 | 12 years |
| Internal Medicine Physicians | $267,200 | 11 years |
| Family Medicine Physicians | $255,820 | 11 years |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $248,320 | 8 years |
| Pediatricians | $212,110 | 11 years |
| Dentists | $191,350 | 8 years |
| Physician Assistants | $141,280 | 6¼ years |
| Pharmacists | $140,920 | 6 years |
| Nurse Practitioners | $137,300 | 6 years |
| Medical Scientists | $116,840 | 13 years |
| Registered Nurses | $101,420 | 4 years |
Questions
How much does a cardiologist make?
An average of $454,940 a year in May 2025, for cardiologists employed in the U.S. (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Half of them earned more than $496,010 and half less.
How long does it take to become a cardiologist?
About 14 years after high school: 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, 3 years of residency and 3 years of fellowship.
Why do other salary reports show higher numbers?
Reports such as Doximity's or Medscape's survey doctors directly and include self-employed doctors and more of their bonuses and profit-sharing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics counts employees only - including doctors still in residency training - and leaves some of those payments out, so its averages run lower. Its figures are the public, government numbers, updated every spring.
What does the cardiologist figure include?
Doctors who treat children's hearts are counted with pediatricians, not here. Some cardiologists train longer, for example in interventional cardiology.
Sources and method
Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Cardiologists (SOC 29-1212), mean yearly wage of employees, May 2025. Training: program length sources. Last checked 2026-09-23. Educational estimates, not financial advice; pay varies by place, employer and experience. About this data.
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