The average salary for a cardiologist in the United States is $421,330 per year. Salaries can range from $350,000 to over $600,000 depending on factors such as location, experience, and subspecialty. Cardiologists in private practice or interventional roles often earn more than those in academic or general positions.
Average Salary for Cardiologists in 2025
Cardiologists in the U.S. earn an average of $421,330 per year, based on 2023–2025 data. This places them among the highest-paid medical specialties, ranking above family medicine, psychiatry, and some surgical roles but slightly below orthopedics and plastic surgery.
| Cardiologist Salary Overview (2025) | |
|---|---|
| Location/Type | Average Annual Salary |
| United States (avg) | $357,482 |
| United States (Glassdoor) | $320,548 |
| United States (BLS/Locum) | $421,330 |
| Texas (ZipRecruiter) | $333,050 |
| Texas (SalaryDr) | $800,000 |
| India | ₹15–70 lakhs |
| South Africa | — |
Cardiology remains a high-paying specialty with increasing compensation across most states. Physicians working in high-volume practices or states like Texas, Florida, or New York typically report higher income.
Cardiologist Salary by Experience Level
Experience is a leading factor in cardiologist income. Entry-level cardiologists earn between $310,000–$360,000, while those with over 10 years of experience can earn $500,000–$800,000, especially in private practice settings.
- Early-career (0–3 years): $310,000–$360,000
- Mid-career (4–9 years): $390,000–$500,000
- Senior-level (10+ years): $500,000–$800,000
Example: In Texas, senior cardiologists in private groups reported earnings of $842,000 in 2024, a sharp increase from the previous year due to demand and procedure volume.
Subspecialty Differences in Compensation
Subspecialization directly increases income. Interventional and electrophysiology subspecialists earn more than general cardiologists.
| Subspecialty | Estimated Salary (2025) |
|---|---|
| Non-invasive | $350,000–$420,000 |
| Invasive | $420,000–$600,000 |
| Interventional | $550,000–$750,000 |
| Electrophysiology | $600,000–$770,000 |
| Pediatric Cardiology | $300,000–$400,000 |
Invasive roles include more procedures and higher risk, which explains the higher compensation. Submitting board certifications and procedural case logs is often required to access these salary levels.
Location-Based Salary Variation
State and city impact is a major factor in physician compensation. High-paying states for cardiologists include Texas, Florida, California, and New York.
- Texas: Salary range from $333,050 (ZipRecruiter) to $800,000 (SalaryDr)
- New York: Hospital-employed positions average around $410,000
- California: Compensation often exceeds $500,000 in high-demand urban centers
Location affects not only income but also cost of living, malpractice rates, and work hours, which influence net take-home pay.
Bonuses, Incentives, and Profit-Sharing
Incentive pay can add 20–25% to total compensation. In Texas, about 22% of a cardiologist’s income comes from bonuses and profit-sharing.
Common bonus types include:
- Productivity bonuses (based on RVUs)
- Signing bonuses (up to $50,000)
- Retention bonuses
- Relocation reimbursements
Example: In 2024, integrated cardiologists with interventional skills reported $669,000 total compensation, with nearly $150,000 from incentives.
Cardiologist Salary Compared to Other Specialties
Cardiologists earn more than most physicians but slightly less than top surgical fields like orthopedics and plastic surgery.
| Specialty | Average Salary (2025) |
|---|---|
| Plastic Surgery | $624,000 |
| Orthopedics | $573,000 |
| Cardiology | $421,330 |
| Urology | $415,000 |
| Emergency Medicine | $352,000 |
| Psychiatry | $309,000 |
Cardiology’s long training period and high workload contribute to both high pay and physician burnout, making compensation a key retention factor.
Summary and Key Takeaways
- Average salary: $421,330
- Top earners exceed $800,000, especially in private practice
- Experience, location, and subspecialty are the major income factors
- Bonuses and incentives significantly increase total pay
- Cardiology remains among the highest-paying medical specialties, offering strong career incentives for new physicians
Common Questions
Below are common questions about cardiologist pay.
Why is there such a wide variation in reported cardiologist salaries, especially between sources like ZipRecruiter and SalaryDr?
Salary variation results from data differences. SalaryDr includes bonuses and profit-sharing, while ZipRecruiter reports base pay, mainly for hospital jobs.
How does subspecialization (e.g., interventional vs. non-invasive cardiology) impact salary?
Invasive cardiologists earn more. In 2023, interventional roles averaged $669,000, compared to $421,000 for non-invasive roles.
What percentage of a cardiologist’s income typically comes from bonuses, profit sharing, or incentives?
In Texas, about 22% of total pay is non-salary compensation, based on private practice income data.
How does locum tenens work affect cardiologist earnings compared to permanent positions?
Locum cardiologists earn up to $255/hour, with potential 26% higher income if working full-time, though benefits and consistency vary.
Are there significant differences in salary growth potential for cardiologists after 10+ years of experience?
Yes. Senior cardiologists in high-demand areas often earn 5–20% more, especially in private groups or high-volume hospitals.
How does the cost of malpractice insurance impact take-home pay for cardiologists?
Malpractice premiums reduce net income. In private practice, these are out-of-pocket and can cost $20,000–$50,000+ per year. Most surveys report gross pay before deductions.
