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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cardiothoracic Surgeon in Kentucky is $488,100 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $235.
However, a Cardiothoracic Surgeon's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Cardiothoracic Surgeon Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $558,100 | $46,508 | $10,733 | $268 |
| Average | $488,100 | $40,675 | $9,387 | $235 |
| 25th Percentile | $441,000 | $36,750 | $8,481 | $212 |
Adelphi Staffing - Paducah, KY
LocumTenens.com - Paducah, KY
CompHealth - Paducah, KY
Rochester Regional Health - ROCHESTER, NY
A Cardiothoracic Surgeon's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Cardiothoracic Surgeon's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Cardiothoracic Surgeon | $469,098 |
| Intermediate Level Cardiothoracic Surgeon | $472,617 |
| Senior Level Cardiothoracic Surgeon | $490,187 |
| Specialist Level Cardiothoracic Surgeon | $519,445 |
| Expert Level Cardiothoracic Surgeon | $524,669 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Cardiothoracic Surgeons. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Cardiothoracic Surgeon salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $517,738. While startup companies pay approximate $441,187.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $441,187 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $465,732 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $500,808 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $517,738 |
For Cardiothoracic Surgeon roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 25% above the average. Conversely, Cardiothoracic Surgeon positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Cardiothoracic Surgeon as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $610,125 | $293.0 | 25% |
Understanding how a Cardiothoracic Surgeon's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $558,100 | $46,508 | $10,733 | $268 |
| Average | $488,100 | $40,675 | $9,387 | $235 |
| 25th Percentile | $441,000 | $36,750 | $8,481 | $212 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cardiothoracic Surgeon job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
BJC Healthcare
MANCHESTER, MO
BJC Healthcare | MANCHESTER, MO
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WICHITA, KS
Ascension | WICHITA, KS
Your future role at a glance. Location: Wichita, KS. Facility: Via Christi St Francis. Specialty: Cardiothoracic ICU. Schedule: Night Shift| Full-time | 7:... more
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Curative
PEORIA, IL
Curative | PEORIA, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Transplant Surgeon | Kidney/Pancreas. Central Illinois. A physician-owned private practice in Central Illinois is seeking... more
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Cone Health
RANKIN, NC
Cone Health | RANKIN, NC
The Physician is accountable for taking care of patients and completing all clinical responsibilities. Provides multidisciplinary team coordination service... more
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Gentle Dental
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
Gentle Dental | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
Atlanta Gentle Dental is seeking a skilled Oral Surgeon to join our dedicated team in delivering high-quality dental care in a comfortable and friendly env... more
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Gentle Dental
EDMOND, OK
Gentle Dental | EDMOND, OK
Atlanta Gentle Dental is seeking a skilled Oral Surgeon to join our dedicated team in delivering high-quality dental care in a comfortable and friendly env... more
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