Cardiac perfusionists are sometimes referred to as cardiovascular perfusionists or cardiopulmonary perfusionists. These healthcare professionals use a cardiopulmonary bypass machine to monitor patients during cardiac surgery. Annual earnings for cardiac perfusionists are highest in Australia and the US at about AU$194,000 ($147,289 USD) and $131,000, respectively, followed by New Zealand at NZ$163,000 ($111,779 USD) and Canada at C$134,000 ($104,266 USD).
Cardiac perfusionists in the UK earn nearly £74,000 ($87,326 USD) per year while those in South Africa receive about R523,000 ($38,241 USD) and India earnings can exceed Rs1,015,000 ($15,755 USD) per year. Earning potential varies worldwide for cardiac perfusionists based on geographic region, professional experience, and work setting as further outlined in this guide.
How Much Does a Cardiac Perfusionist Make per Year?
The chart below provides annual and hourly wages for cardiac perfusionists in select countries worldwide.
| Cardiac Perfusionist Salary | US | Canada | UK | Australia | New Zealand | India | South Africa |
| Hourly Wage | $63 | C$65 | £35 | AU$94 | NZ$79 | Rs488 | R251 |
| Annual Wage | $130,946 | C$134,167 ($104,266 USD) |
£73,669 ($87,326 USD) |
AU$194,710 ($147,289 USD) |
NZ$163,479 ($111,779 USD) |
Rs1,015,068 ($15,755 USD) |
R522,512 ($38,241 USD) |
Factors that Influence the Cardiac Perfusionist Salary
Geographic region and professional experience strongly influence salary levels for cardiac perfusionists while there is little income variance by work setting. This guide provides additional information on earning potential and a career as a cardiac perfusionist in select countries worldwide.
1. Geographic Area
Cardiac Perfusionist Salary in US
In the US, the average annual salary for a cardiac perfusionist is about $131,000 per year, or $63 per hour, and bonus income potential exceeds $4,200 in additional earnings. Newly trained cardiac perfusionists can expect an average starting salary of nearly $91,000, increasing with experience to more than $163,000 annually.
Cardiac Perfusionist Salary in Canada
Cardiac perfusionists in Canada earn more than C$134,000 per year, or C$65 per hour, with an additional C$4,300 possible through bonus income pay. The average entry level salary can reach C$93,000 annually while senior level pay exceeds C$167,000 per year.
Cardiac Perfusionist Salary in UK
Cardiac perfusionists in the UK earn receive about £74,000 per year with an additional £2,400 possible through bonus pay. Hourly wage earners see about £35 per hour. Entry level cardiac perfusionists earn an average starting salary that can reach £51,000 per year while senior level professionals receive nearly £91,000 annually.
Cardiac Perfusionist Salary in Australia
The average annual salary for cardiac perfusionists in Australia is roughly AU$195,000 while hourly pay averages AU$94 per hour. Bonus income potential can exceed AU$6,200, on average. The average annual salary for those early in their careers can reach AU$135,000 while senior level professionals earn about AU$243,00 per year.
Cardiac Perfusionist Salary in New Zealand
In New Zealand, cardiac perfusionists receive an annual compensation of well over NZ$163,000 base salary plus another NZ$5,200 in bonus income. Hourly wage earners receive NZ$79 per hour, on average. Entry level pay averages more than NZ$111,000 per year, increasing throughout one’s career to about NZ$204,000 annually.
Cardiac Perfusionist Salary in India
Cardiac perfusionists in India earn more than Rs1,015,000 annually, plus another Rs33,000 in bonus income pay. Hourly wage earners receive, on average, Rs488 per hour. The average annual starting salary for entry level cardiac perfusionists is about Rs713,000 while senior level professionals see annual earnings well over Rs1,283,000.
Cardiac Perfusionist Salary in South Africa
Average annual earnings for cardiac perfusionists in South Africa can reach R523,000 plus an additional R17,000 in bonus income pay. Those paid an hourly wage receive an average of R251 per hour. On average, entry level salaries can reach R365,000 per year compared to R656,000 per year for those at the senior level.
2. Experience
Salary data shows an increase of between 79% and 84% in earning potential for cardiac perfusionists in senior level positions compared to entry level starting pay. For example, in the US and Australia, where annual earnings are highest, the gap between senior level and entry level pay is 79% and 80%, respectively. This represents an increase of $72,000 in annual pay in the US and AU$93,000 in Australia. India also experiences salary growth of 80%, or Rs570,000. The greatest percentage of income growth is found in New Zealand where senior level pay is about 84% more per year compared to entry level pay.
3. Industry
Due to the nature of their work, cardiac perfusionists typically work in hospital settings as part of a surgical team, although some transition to other careers such as academia or emergency responders later in their careers. Those who are employed in nonprofit or public sector organizations may earn less or see fewer opportunities for bonus income compared to those employed in the for-profit, private sector.
Working Hours
Most cardiac perfusionists work full-time schedules that may exceed 40 hours per week. While many surgeries are scheduled during normal business hours, lending to a more consistent work schedule for these healthcare providers, emergency situations may require on-call hours and work during evenings, weekends, or even holidays.
Bonuses and Benefit Packages
Cardiac perfusionists typically receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as paid time off for vacation, holidays, and sick time. Other benefits may include retirement plans, health savings accounts, and paid training. Bonus pay is also found in all countries reviewed in this guide, although these payments do not add significant amounts to overall earnings.
Job Outlook
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a 12% growth rate in surgical technologists, including cardiac perfusionists, is expected between 2016 and 2026. This faster than average growth rate is due to an aging population, increased rate of chronic illness such as cardiovascular disease, and advancements in medical technology that will affect cardiovascular surgeries. A career as a cardiac perfusionist requires the minimum of a two-year certificate program; however those who earn a bachelor’s degree may be more competitive for some positions and higher pay. Some cardiac perfusionists are registered nurses who choose to expand their education and transition to a new career.
Conclusion
Cardiac perfusionists earn solid salaries, and with a minimum of only two years of required education, the return on educational and time investment is positive. Benefits packages are comprehensive and some employers offer bonus pay. The future for cardiac perfusionists is expected to see increased demand, which should support income levels in the coming years.
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