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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cardiothoracic Surgery in California is $578,593 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $278.
However, a Cardiothoracic Surgery's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Cardiothoracic Surgery Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $661,882 | $55,157 | $12,728 | $318 |
| Average | $578,593 | $48,216 | $11,127 | $278 |
| 25th Percentile | $522,114 | $43,509 | $10,041 | $251 |
Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods - Burlingame, CA
Tenet Healthcare - Modesto, CA
Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods - Oakland, CA
Sharp HealthCare - San Diego, CA
A Cardiothoracic Surgery'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 Surgery'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 Surgery | $550,180 |
| Intermediate Level Cardiothoracic Surgery | $554,308 |
| Senior Level Cardiothoracic Surgery | $574,918 |
| Specialist Level Cardiothoracic Surgery | $609,213 |
| Expert Level Cardiothoracic Surgery | $615,337 |
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 Surgeries. 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:
For Cardiothoracic Surgery 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 Surgery positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Cardiothoracic Surgery as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $723,241 | $348.0 | 25% |
Understanding how a Cardiothoracic Surgery'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 | $661,882 | $55,157 | $12,728 | $318 |
| Average | $578,593 | $48,216 | $11,127 | $278 |
| 25th Percentile | $522,114 | $43,509 | $10,041 | $251 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cardiothoracic Surgery job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
NorthBay Health
Fairfield, CA
NorthBay Health | Fairfield, CA
Cardiothoracic Surgeon / Medical Director, Cardiac Surgery Quality & Outcomes. At Northbay Health, the Cardiothoracic Surgeon / Medical Director, Cardiac S... more
5 Days Ago
Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group
San Francisco, CA
Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group | San Francisco, CA
Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group is seeking a full-time, board-certified Cardiothoracic Surgery physician.Position details:State-of-the-art medical cente... more
6 Days Ago
UCSF
San Francisco, CA
UCSF | San Francisco, CA
Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Surgery Adult Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Surgical Co-Director of the Complex Aortic Surgery Program. The Department of S... more
5 Days Ago
UCSF
San Francisco, CA
UCSF | San Francisco, CA
Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Surgery Adult Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Surgical Director of Complex Coronary Revascularization. The Department of Surg... more
2 Days Ago
Liquid Agents
Riverside, CA
Montage Health
Monterey, CA
Montage Health | Monterey, CA
Surgical Technologist. Under the leadership of the department director, assistant director and the supervision of an RN, the Surgical Technologist is respo... more
5 Days Ago
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