Cardiothoracic Surgeon Salary Guide

While there isn’t any specific data available on cardiothoracic surgeon salary, full-time physicians surveyed for Doximity’s “Physician Compensation Report 2024” reported that thoracic surgeons made an average annual compensation of $720,634.

That being said, the average annual wage in 2024 for all surgeons (excluding pediatric and orthopedic surgeons) was $371,280 in the U.S., according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

It’s difficult to put an exact figure on locum tenens cardiothoracic surgeon salaries, as there are many factors that impact rates including location, years of experience, and the level of demand.

While perm surgeons are more likely to be salaried, locum tenens surgeons are independent contractors earning an hourly rate, which can vary based on which assignments they take in a year. 

Furthermore, because locum tenens cardiothoracic surgeons are paid by the hour, the hours they work are directly reflected in their pay, while a salaried surgeon’s additional hours may not be reflected in their salary. Finally, paid time off and insurance may be reflected in the perm cardiothoracic surgeon salary structure, but locum tenens providers do have options when it comes to health insurance.

Cardiothoracic surgeon salary fluctuates depending on the state—according to the BLS, these are the five states with the highest annual average wage for all surgeons (excluding pediatric and orthopedic surgeons) in 2024:

• Alabama
• Delaware
• Idaho
• Kansas
• Missouri

There isn’t specific cardiothoracic surgeon salary data, however, thoracic surgery was the second highest-paid physician specialty in the United States, according to Doximity’s “Physician Compensation Report 2024.”