Cardiologist Salary in 2018

The salary of a cardiologist is among the highest worldwide. The highest cardiologist salary is registered in the US where specialists earn a median income of $228,000, and the lowest is South Africa with R460,383 (US$34,413) and India with Rs2,406,000 (US$37,058). The US is closely followed by New Zealand, where specialists in cardiology earn about NZ$300,000 (US$214,530) , then at a distance by Canada with C$150,000 (US$120,315). Salaries in the UK and Australia are similar, with ₤67,000 (US$88,859) and AU$110,000 (US$86,293), respectively.

How Much Does a Cardiologist Make per Year?

How much does a cardiologist make per hour and per year? Here’s our comprehensive guide:

Factors That Influence Cardiologist Salary

Cardiologists work in clinics, hospitals and private practice; however, according to Payscale.com, geographic location and experience have the greatest impact on salary ranges. Salary details for select countries are outlined.

1. Geographic Area

Cardiologist Salary in US

Cardiologists in the US start off with about $88,818 for their first year, but the pay steadily increases over the years. Mid-career professionals earn slightly more than the average of $228,000, but an experienced professional who has been in this field for more than 15 years can earn up to $454,407 per year. Bonuses can account for about $96,958 of the yearly wage.

According to PayScale.com, only 16% of the cardiologists working in the US are female. Most professionals (45%) have less than 4 years of experience. Nevertheless, all are very satisfied with their job.

Some areas of the country where demand is high for cardiologists offer increased earnings.  Seattle and San Diego are states with salaries above the national average by 21% and 2%, respectively. Conversely, market saturation has caused salaries to lag behind the national average by 18 percent in Houston and 17 percent in New York.

Related: If you are interested in cardiology, you might also want to read our guide to the cardiothoracic surgeon salary!

Cardiologist Salary in Canada

The same source as above reports the median cardiologist salary in Canada at about C$150,000. Beginners in this field earn about C$51,823 for their first year(s) and reach the aforementioned average before their mid-career mark. Experienced professionals, on the other hand, can take home up to C$352,347 per year. needless to say, cardiologists are generally extremely satisfied with their job. Only about 11% have 20 or more years of practice.

Neuvoo.ca, on the other hand, reports the median at about C$248,360 per year for this profession, with entry-level cardiologists earning about C$174,000. Experienced cardiologists can earn up to C$348,000 per year, according to job postings on Neuvoo.ca.

Cardiologist Salary in UK

PayScale.com reports the average cardiologist salary at ₤67,000 per year. Beginners in this field can earn about £31,208 and will reach the national average after the mid-career mark. Experienced and late-career professionals can earn up to £171,275 per year, out of which bonuses can account for £26,000.

Prospects.co.uk, however, reports junior hospital trainees working in the UK earn between £26,614 and £30,805. Qualified doctors, however, earn between £36,461 and £46,208 during their specialist training and between £37,923 and £70,718 as senior cardiologists. Consultant cardiologists earn between £76,761 and £103,490 as their basic salary, but extra responsibilities will also increase the yearly pay.

Cardiologist Salary in Australia

The national average salary for cardiologists working in Australia is AU$110,000. While entry-level professionals start off with just AU$50,000 per year, they will reach the aforementioned median before being considered experienced professionals, according to PayScale. Experienced and late-career professionals get to take home up to AU$450,208 per year.

Neuvoo.ca reports the median for cardiologists working in Australia at AU$170,732. Depending on the location and their experience, cardiologists in Australia earn between AU$120,000 and AU$239,000 per year. This information comes from current job postings on the job search website.

Cardiologist Salary in New Zealand

Even though there is no official info on the cardiologist salary in New Zealand, we can take the surgeon (which includes cardiac surgeon) salary as a reference from Careers.govt.nz. we just need to consider that cardiologists generally earn more than the rest of the medical specialists. Therefore, we can estimate those beginning their career can expect to earn about NZ$150,000 annually and increase to NZ$600,000 per year with salary, overtime and bonus. And just as with most healthcare professions, a standard work week of 40 hours and all the time over that amount accrues additional pay.

Cardiologist Salary in India

The median salary for a cardiologist in India is Rs2,406,000, a significantly higher income than the national average. An entry level cardiologist earns about Rs389,251 while those at the senior level can have incomes of up to Rs7,366,687 with salary and bonus. These bonuses can account for up to Rs535,818 of the total annual income. There is a low supply of experienced cardiologists in India as 80% have between one and nine years’ experience.  The 1% having more than 20 years’ experience earn the highest level of pay.

Cardiologist Salary in South Africa

Cardiologists working in South Africa earn about R460,383 per year on average and start off at about R98,633 at the beginning of their career. Experienced professionals, however, can take home up to R973,127 in a year, with bonuses accounting for about R30,000 of this amount. PayScale reports the total pay for cardiologists in South Africa ranges between R213,046 and R973,127 per year.

2. Experience

While salaries vary worldwide, experience has the greatest effect on income within any of the reviewed countries. Despite the saturated market in UK, salaries for experienced cardiologists are 337% higher than for those beginning their careers. But the country with the widest spread in entry level and senior level salaries is South Africa at 1012%. In New Zealand where salaries are determined by a government scale, senior level cardiologists earn 100% more than those entering the field.

A career in cardiology requires extensive education and training. In most countries, it is required to complete a bachelor’s degree followed by three to four years of medical school and three to seven years in internships and residency. Licensure generally requires a passing score on the country’s certification exams and ongoing continuing medical education.

3. Industry

Cardiologists typically work in hospitals, clinics and private practice. Some transition from the practicing side to staff management and education. While salaries are above average worldwide for each country, those working in private practice may bring home more income.

Working Hours

Cardiologists in private practice primarily work Monday through Friday during typical work hours, although some on-call hours may be necessary. Those who work in hospitals and clinics with 24-hour care are subject to a schedule that may fall on any day of the week or hour of the day in addition to on-call hours. A full-time work week varies from 37.5 hours under the NHS of UK to 40 hours in Australia to 60 hours or more in the U.S. depending on experience and work setting.

There are pros and cons to a career in cardiology. Cardiologists’ patients can span a range of many years from young to old and may have ongoing and progressive heart conditions that can lead to death without treatment. While the job brings stress, on-call hours and extensive education and training requirements, most professionals in this field have a high level of job satisfaction that comes from working in a career helping others live healthier and longer lives.

Bonuses and Benefit Packages

A full bonus and benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision coverage is common for those at all phases in their career. Those working in clinics and hospitals may also receive meal plans, overnight accommodations during long work hours and an allowance for continuing medical education required for maintaining licensure.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for cardiologists is positive with a worldwide aging population that will continue to require healthcare services. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a faster than average growth rate of 14% from 2014 to 2024. Demand for experienced cardiologists is expected to maintain higher than average salaries.

Conclusion

A career in cardiology can provide a lucrative income with good employment prospects due to an above average job growth rate. While stress and on-call hours are common, most cardiologists express a high level of job satisfaction. Professionals in this field appreciate the chance of  helping others live healthier lives.