Cardiologist salary
BLS occupation: Cardiologists · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
How much does a cardiologist make?
- The median cardiologist salary in the US is $496,010 a year ($238.47 an hour): half of the 17,290 cardiologists BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $454,940.
- The middle half earn between $274,280 and $610,060. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $107,190 and the top 10% more than $712,130.
- That is 9.7 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Washington pays cardiologists the most (median $656,330), followed by Missouri ($648,070) and Nebraska ($646,300). California pays the least ($185,610).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Nebraska, where the median is worth $717,290 in typical US prices, then Missouri and Wisconsin. Washington's higher pay is offset by its prices (107.0 vs a US average of 100).
- In 33 of the 34 metro areas with data, the median cardiologist salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of cardiologists to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 500 openings a year. The typical entry education is a doctoral or professional degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what cardiologists are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Cardiologist salary range
Half of cardiologists earn between $274,280 and $610,060 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $107,190 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $274,280 |
| Median | $496,010 |
| Top 25% earn over | $610,060 |
| Top 10% earn over | $712,130 |
Cardiologist salary by state
Washington pays cardiologists the most; California the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($496,010), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Washington | $656,330 median |
| Missouri | $648,070 median |
| Nebraska | $646,300 median |
| Wisconsin | $636,580 median |
| Tennessee | $610,080 median |
| Georgia | $610,070 median |
| Indiana | $588,890 median |
| Pennsylvania | $579,120 median |
| Kentucky | $558,180 median |
| Alabama | $519,480 median |
| Illinois | $517,850 median |
| Ohio | $504,260 median |
| New York | $492,040 median |
| Connecticut | $488,940 median |
| Virginia | $461,450 median |
| Michigan | $419,030 median |
| Florida | $414,910 median |
| Texas | $410,150 median |
| Rhode Island | $395,610 median |
| Maryland | $337,230 median |
| New Jersey | $286,540 median |
| Iowa | $283,070 median |
| California | $185,610 median |
Where cardiologist pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Cardiologists' pay goes furthest in Nebraska once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Nebraska | $717,290 |
| Missouri | $713,600 |
| Wisconsin | $676,529 |
| Tennessee | $664,069 |
| Georgia | $633,556 |
| Indiana | $630,983 |
| Kentucky | $619,106 |
| Washington | $613,318 |
| Pennsylvania | $593,531 |
| Alabama | $584,849 |
Cardiologist pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $656,330 | $315.54 | $139,820 | $758,560 | 200 | $613,318 |
| Missouri | $648,070 | $311.57 | $100,920 | $791,930 | 150 | $713,600 |
| Nebraska | $646,300 | $310.72 | $216,450 | $829,860 | 170 | $717,290 |
| Wisconsin | $636,580 | $306.05 | $94,340 | $666,880 | 200 | $676,529 |
| Tennessee | $610,080 | $293.31 | $178,630 | $793,530 | 560 | $664,069 |
| Georgia | $610,070 | $293.30 | $186,960 | $934,460 | 1,150 | $633,556 |
| Indiana | $588,890 | $283.12 | $77,310 | $618,740 | 140 | $630,983 |
| Pennsylvania | $579,120 | $278.42 | $108,180 | $653,250 | 640 | $593,531 |
| Kentucky | $558,180 | $268.36 | $216,710 | $624,260 | – | $619,106 |
| Alabama | $519,480 | $249.75 | $188,970 | $650,580 | 130 | $584,849 |
| Illinois | $517,850 | $248.97 | $119,280 | $749,550 | 340 | $518,068 |
| Ohio | $504,260 | $242.43 | $32,290 | $733,900 | 760 | $543,536 |
| New York | $492,040 | $236.56 | $104,800 | $688,580 | 2,260 | $455,926 |
| Connecticut | $488,940 | $235.07 | $79,730 | $812,490 | 320 | $471,904 |
| Virginia | $461,450 | $221.85 | $217,500 | $590,090 | 810 | $456,411 |
| Michigan | $419,030 | $201.46 | $68,540 | $587,670 | 340 | $435,505 |
| Florida | $414,910 | $199.48 | $211,260 | $645,810 | 920 | $401,213 |
| Texas | $410,150 | $197.19 | $97,140 | $703,430 | 2,050 | $422,587 |
| Rhode Island | $395,610 | $190.20 | $136,140 | $442,460 | 60 | $386,791 |
| Maryland | $337,230 | $162.13 | $149,990 | $716,280 | – | $321,297 |
| New Jersey | $286,540 | $137.76 | $35,000 | $613,160 | – | $263,352 |
| Iowa | $283,070 | $136.09 | $63,530 | $643,380 | 100 | $322,543 |
| California | $185,610 | $89.24 | $109,310 | $532,070 | 630 | $167,639 |
BLS does not publish pay for cardiologists in 28 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Cardiologist salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes cardiologist pay: 34 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Seattle, WA $662,760
- Chattanooga, TN $610,080
- Omaha, NE $598,480
- Harrisburg, PA $567,680
- Lexington, KY $558,180
- Cincinnati, OH $551,320
- Charlotte, NC $528,750
- Bridgeport, CT $527,720
- Tampa, FL $515,710
- Jacksonville, FL $514,740
Where the pay goes furthest
- Chattanooga, TN $667,017
- Omaha, NE $651,152
- Lexington, KY $600,911
- Seattle, WA $596,367
- Cincinnati, OH $578,085
- Harrisburg, PA $575,449
- Charlotte, NC $543,154
- Indianapolis, IN $534,401
- Winchester, VA $518,424
- Jacksonville, FL $517,410
All 34 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $662,760 | 130 | $596,367 | 4% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $610,080 | 40 | $667,017 | 3% |
| Omaha, NE | $598,480 | 110 | $651,152 | 3% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $567,680 | 80 | $575,449 | 3% |
| Lexington, KY | $558,180 | 140 | $600,911 | 3% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $551,320 | 210 | $578,085 | 3% |
| Charlotte, NC | $528,750 | 150 | $543,154 | 4% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $527,720 | 70 | $493,824 | 7% |
| Tampa, FL | $515,710 | 70 | $511,161 | 5% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $514,740 | 90 | $517,410 | 4% |
| Norwich, CT | $514,290 | 30 | $512,012 | 5% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $511,400 | 60 | $534,401 | 4% |
| Lancaster, PA | $503,970 | 50 | $512,910 | 4% |
| New Haven, CT | $502,320 | 30 | $480,418 | 5% |
| Winchester, VA | $500,020 | 40 | $518,424 | 4% |
| San Diego, CA | $493,670 | – | $441,222 | 7% |
| New York, NY | $492,150 | 2,050 | $437,222 | 9% |
| Chicago, IL | $475,590 | 150 | $459,086 | 5% |
| Syracuse, NY | $460,900 | 30 | $481,398 | 4% |
| Buffalo, NY | $451,790 | 130 | $471,381 | 4% |
| Richmond, VA | $450,480 | 120 | $460,340 | 5% |
| Hartford, CT | $436,510 | 160 | $424,844 | 5% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $430,900 | 230 | $439,959 | 5% |
| Rochester, NY | $415,000 | 90 | $427,681 | 4% |
| Dallas, TX | $403,340 | 940 | $391,250 | 5% |
| Providence, RI | $395,610 | 100 | $388,718 | 7% |
| San Antonio, TX | $382,000 | 90 | $403,311 | 4% |
| Austin, TX | $341,080 | 90 | $347,807 | 6% |
| Baltimore, MD | $337,230 | – | $322,748 | 7% |
| Washington, DC | $253,610 | – | $232,918 | 11% |
| Houston, TX | $187,550 | 460 | $190,157 | 10% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $161,160 | 60 | $178,259 | 10% |
| Detroit, MI | $130,880 | 190 | $130,491 | 14% |
| San Francisco, CA | $119,690 | – | $103,526 | 35% |
What the median cardiologist salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $496,010 |
| Month | $41,334 |
| Every two weeks | $19,077 |
| Week | $9,539 |
| Hour | $238.47 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a cardiologist: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Internship/residency |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +4.8% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 500 |
| Self-employed | 3.8% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 | Associate's degree |
| Vet tech | $47,380 | Associate's degree |
| Speech-language pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree |
| Physician assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| Medical lab tech | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree |
| MRI tech | $95,480 | Associate's degree |
| CRNA | $236,590 | Master's degree |
Questions about cardiologist pay
How much does a cardiologist make an hour?
The median is $238.47 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $51.53 and the top 10% over $342.37.
How much does a cardiologist make a month?
About $41,334 a month before taxes at the median salary of $496,010, or $19,077 every two weeks.
What state pays cardiologists the most?
Washington, with a median of $656,330. Missouri ($648,070), Nebraska ($646,300), Wisconsin ($636,580) and Tennessee ($610,080) follow.
Where do cardiologists make the most after cost of living?
Nebraska: its median of $646,300 is worth $717,290 at typical US prices. Missouri, Wisconsin and Tennessee come next.
How much do entry-level cardiologists make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of cardiologists earn under $107,190 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $274,280, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a cardiologist?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a doctoral or professional degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: internship/residency.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-1212 (Cardiologists). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.