Cardiologist Doctor Salary Calculator

The sections below walk through every dimension of cardiologist compensation that the salary calculator accounts for, from baseline ranges and entry-level expectations to location-specific adjustments and the factors that push earnings higher or lower.

1. What Are the Salary Ranges for a Cardiologist Doctor?
2. What Is the Entry Level Salary for a Cardiologist Doctor?
3. How Much Does a Cardiologist Doctor Earn at Entry Level vs Senior Level?
4. Where Are the Best Job Markets for Cardiologist Doctors?
5. Which Employers Hire Cardiologist Doctors and What Do They Pay?
6. What Job Responsibilities Affect a Cardiologist Doctor's Salary?
7. What Factors Push a Cardiologist Doctor's Salary Higher?
8. What Factors Lower a Cardiologist Doctor's Salary?
9. What Benefits Do Cardiologist Doctors Typically Receive?
10. What Skills Influence a Cardiologist Doctor's Salary?
11. How Does Cardiologist Doctor Salary Vary by Different States and Cities?

The salary calculator uses a national median hourly base pay of $115.00 as its starting reference point for cardiologist doctors. Under a standard full-time assumption of 40 hours per week and 52 weeks per year, that translates to roughly $239,200 annually at the midpoint. However, actual cardiologist compensation varies substantially, and the calculator reflects this by producing low-to-high ranges.

On the low end, general cardiologists early in their careers or practicing in small, lower-cost markets may see hourly rates in the range of $90–$105, corresponding to annual gross pay of approximately $187,200–$218,400. On the high end, interventional or electrophysiology subspecialists with extensive experience in large metropolitan areas can reach hourly equivalents of $150–$200+, pushing annual compensation to $312,000–$416,000 or higher when procedural volume bonuses and wRVU-based incentives are factored in.

These ranges shift based on every input you configure in the calculator. Selecting part-time hours (for example, a 0.8 FTE schedule of 32 hours per week) proportionally reduces weekly, monthly, and annual projections while the hourly rate itself may remain the same or even increase for part-time locum roles. Choosing a large metro job market versus a small rural one applies a market-size adjustment factor that can move estimates by 10–20% in either direction.

In the salary calculator, entry level for a cardiologist doctor is defined as a physician who has recently completed fellowship training, holds board eligibility (or initial board certification) in cardiovascular disease, and has limited post-training clinical experience — typically zero to two years in independent practice. Education level at entry is an MD or DO degree with completion of an internal medicine residency and a cardiology fellowship, though the calculator also accounts for whether additional subspecialty fellowship training (interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, advanced heart failure) has been completed, which can shift starting offers upward.

For a newly fellowship-trained general cardiologist entering the workforce, the calculator estimates hourly rates in the range of $90–$110, with annual salary projections of roughly $187,200–$228,800 under full-time assumptions. These figures reflect the reality that first-year attendings typically receive guaranteed base salaries with modest productivity incentives as they build patient panels and referral networks. Selecting a small job market in the calculator may further reduce these estimates, while choosing a large metro market or a high-demand underserved area can push entry-level offers closer to mid-career norms because health systems competing for scarce specialists often offer signing bonuses and income guarantees that effectively raise the hourly equivalent.

The salary calculator models a significant spread between early-career and senior-level cardiologists. As outlined above, entry-level cardiologists with minimal post-fellowship experience typically fall in the $90–$110 per hour range. Senior-level cardiologists — those with 10 or more years of independent practice, established referral networks, leadership titles such as division chief or medical director, and often interventional or electrophysiology subspecialization — can see hourly equivalents of $150–$200+.

Annualized, this gap can be dramatic. An entry-level noninvasive cardiologist in a mid-sized market might generate a calculator estimate of $200,000–$230,000 per year, while a senior interventional cardiologist in a large metro system could see estimates of $400,000–$550,000 when the calculator's experience slider is set to 15+ years and the education level reflects subspecialty fellowship completion. The calculator captures this progression through its years-of-experience adjustment and education-level modifier, which together can account for a 60–100% increase from the base pay starting point.

It is worth noting that much of senior cardiologist compensation is tied to wRVU productivity, call coverage stipends, and administrative roles — all of which the calculator approximates by widening the high end of the salary range as experience and education inputs increase.

The strongest job markets for cardiologist doctors combine high patient demand driven by aging populations, the presence of large hospital systems or academic medical centers, and compensation levels that account for regional cost of living. Metropolitan areas with multiple competing health systems tend to offer the most aggressive salary packages.

Cardiologist doctors are employed by large integrated health systems, academic medical centers, Veterans Affairs hospitals, and private cardiology group practices, each with distinct compensation structures that the salary calculator approximates through its market-size and work-setting adjustments.

Locum tenens agencies such as TeamHealth often pay higher gross hourly rates, but the calculator's after-tax module reveals that 1099 contractors face self-employment tax obligations and lack employer-sponsored benefits, which can substantially reduce effective take-home pay compared to a W-2 position at a lower gross rate.

The specific clinical responsibilities a cardiologist performs are the single most influential variable on compensation, and the salary calculator captures this through its experience and education-level adjustments, which serve as proxies for procedural scope.

A noninvasive cardiologist whose practice consists primarily of office consultations, echocardiogram interpretation, stress test supervision, and Holter monitor reads generates lower wRVU volume per hour than an interventional colleague. The calculator's low-end estimates align with this profile. An interventional cardiologist performing diagnostic catheterizations, percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), structural heart procedures such as TAVR and MitraClip, and peripheral vascular interventions generates substantially higher wRVUs per case, and the calculator's high-end estimates reflect this productivity premium.

Electrophysiologists who implant pacemakers, defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization devices, and perform ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia occupy a similarly high-compensation tier. Cardiologists who take on administrative responsibilities — serving as cath lab medical director, heart failure program director, or chief of the cardiovascular service line — receive stipends that push total compensation above pure clinical earnings. The calculator approximates these roles through its highest experience and education settings.

Call coverage frequency also matters. Cardiologists covering STEMI call for a hospital's interventional program often receive per-diem call stipends of $1,000–$2,500 per 24-hour shift on top of procedural fees, a factor that widens the annual salary range the calculator produces when high-end parameters are selected.

Several concrete factors move the salary calculator's output toward its upper range for cardiologist doctors.

Subspecialty fellowship training in interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, or advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology immediately elevates starting offers by 15–40% compared to general cardiology, because these proceduralists generate higher revenue per clinical hour. The calculator reflects this when users select the highest education/credential level.

Large metropolitan job markets with multiple competing hospital systems — such as Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta — drive up compensation through bidding wars for procedural cardiologists. Selecting "large metro" in the calculator applies an upward market-size adjustment. Paradoxically, rural and underserved areas can also push pay higher because critical-access hospitals and federally qualified health centers offer premium salaries, signing bonuses, and loan repayment to attract specialists willing to relocate.

High procedural volume is the most direct lever. Cardiologists who consistently exceed their wRVU targets trigger productivity bonuses that can add $50,000–$150,000 above guaranteed base salary. Practice ownership in a physician-owned cardiology group with an in-office cath lab, nuclear imaging suite, and vascular lab captures ancillary revenue streams that employed physicians do not access.

States with no income tax, such as Texas and Florida, do not directly raise gross pay but significantly improve after-tax results in the calculator. Selecting Texas versus California in the state tax input can shift annual take-home estimates by $20,000–$40,000 or more at cardiologist income levels.

The salary calculator also identifies conditions that compress cardiologist compensation toward its lower range.

Noninvasive-only practice scope is the most significant limiter. General cardiologists who do not perform catheterizations or device implantations generate fewer wRVUs per hour, which caps both guaranteed salaries and productivity bonuses. The calculator's low-end estimates closely mirror this profile.

Academic medical center employment often trades compensation for protected research time, teaching obligations, and prestige. A cardiologist at an academic center may see salary estimates 15–25% below the median for equivalent experience because 20–40% of their time is non-clinical. Part-time clinical hours entered into the calculator will produce proportionally lower weekly, monthly, and annual figures.

Small and saturated job markets reduce leverage in salary negotiations. If a mid-sized city has only one hospital system, that monopsony employer sets rates without competitive pressure. Selecting "small" market size in the calculator applies a downward adjustment.

High state income taxes in states like California, New Jersey, and Connecticut do not lower gross pay but substantially reduce after-tax salary estimates. A cardiologist earning $400,000 gross in California faces a meaningfully different take-home figure than one earning the same in Florida, and the calculator's after-tax module displays this difference clearly. Selecting 1099 classification without accounting for self-employment taxes can also create a misleading picture of take-home pay; the calculator appropriately adjusts for this additional burden.

The benefit package available to a cardiologist doctor varies significantly based on whether the position is structured as W-2 employment or 1099 independent contracting, and the salary calculator's after-tax module helps quantify this difference.

W-2 employed cardiologists at hospital systems and large group practices typically receive employer-sponsored health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer contributions to a 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan (often 3–9% matching), employer-paid malpractice insurance with tail coverage, CME allowances of $3,000–$5,000 annually, paid time off of 4–6 weeks, and relocation assistance or signing bonuses ranging from $20,000 to $75,000. Many systems also offer student loan repayment assistance, particularly in underserved areas. The calculator's 401(k) contribution input lets users see how pre-tax retirement savings reduce taxable income and affect net pay.

Cardiologists working as 1099 independent contractors — common in locum tenens roles and some private practice arrangements — receive none of these employer-funded benefits. They must purchase individual health insurance, fund their own SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k), carry their own malpractice policy, and pay the employer portion of FICA taxes (an additional 7.65% on earnings up to the Social Security wage base, plus 2.9% Medicare tax on all earnings). The calculator's W-2 vs 1099 toggle reflects this self-employment tax burden, and users frequently discover that a $130/hour 1099 contract produces less take-home pay than a $115/hour W-2 position once benefits and tax obligations are factored in.

The clinical and technical skills a cardiologist brings directly influence where they fall within the salary calculator's output range.

Interventional procedural competency is the highest-value skill set. Proficiency in complex PCI, chronic total occlusion (CTO) intervention, structural heart procedures (TAVR, left atrial appendage closure, patent foramen ovale closure), and peripheral arterial intervention commands the top end of the pay scale because these procedures generate the highest wRVUs and hospital revenue.

Advanced cardiac imaging expertise — including Level III training in transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), cardiac CT angiography, and cardiac MRI — differentiates cardiologists who can provide comprehensive diagnostics in-house, reducing referral leakage and increasing practice revenue. The calculator's education-level adjustment captures this credentialing premium.

Electrophysiology skills such as complex ablation mapping (including pulsed field ablation), leadless pacemaker implantation, and subcutaneous ICD placement are in high demand due to the growing atrial fibrillation epidemic, and EP-trained cardiologists consistently occupy the upper range of salary estimates.

Practice leadership and business acumen — the ability to manage cath lab throughput, negotiate payer contracts, develop referral networks, and lead quality improvement initiatives — are non-clinical skills that directly affect total compensation. Cardiologists who can grow a program's market share often negotiate medical director stipends and performance bonuses that the calculator reflects in its highest salary tier.

Clinical research and trial enrollment capability adds value in academic and large community settings where device and pharmaceutical trials generate institutional revenue and physician investigator fees.

The salary calculator adjusts estimates based on state-level tax rates, regional cost of living, job market size, and local demand for cardiologists. Below are state-by-state and city-by-city breakdowns that explain how these factors interact.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in New York?

New York has one of the highest state income tax burdens in the country, with additional local taxes in New York City. Gross cardiologist salaries are among the highest nationally due to the density of major health systems (NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, NewYork-Presbyterian, Northwell Health) competing for specialists. However, the calculator's after-tax module reveals that high state and city taxes meaningfully reduce take-home pay. Demand is strong across the state, from Manhattan's academic centers to upstate community hospitals in Buffalo and Rochester that offer competitive salaries with substantially lower living costs.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in California?

California offers some of the highest gross compensation for cardiologists, driven by large integrated systems like Kaiser Permanente, Cedars-Sinai, Stanford Health Care, and UC Health. However, California's progressive state income tax — the highest top marginal rate in the nation — significantly impacts after-tax results in the calculator. The cost of living, particularly in coastal cities, further erodes purchasing power. Cardiologists practicing in the Central Valley or Inland Empire may accept slightly lower gross pay but enjoy substantially better cost-of-living-adjusted income.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Florida?

Florida's lack of a state income tax makes it one of the most favorable states for cardiologist take-home pay, and the calculator clearly reflects this advantage. The state's large and growing retiree population generates sustained high demand for cardiovascular care. Health systems such as Baptist Health, AdventHealth, and Cleveland Clinic Florida compete aggressively for cardiologists, particularly interventional and structural heart specialists. Selecting Florida in the calculator's state tax input can add $25,000–$40,000 to after-tax annual income compared to a similar gross salary in California or New York.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Texas?

Texas combines no state income tax with a massive, geographically diverse job market. The Texas Medical Center in Houston is the largest medical complex in the world, housing institutions like Houston Methodist, Baylor St. Luke's, and Memorial Hermann that pay top-tier salaries for interventional and EP cardiologists. Dallas-Fort Worth's expanding population supports Baylor Scott & White, UT Southwestern, and Texas Health Resources. The calculator's after-tax estimates for Texas cardiologists are consistently among the highest nationally when gross pay is held constant across states.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Michigan?

Michigan's cardiologist job market centers on Detroit and Ann Arbor, anchored by Beaumont Health (now Corewell Health), Henry Ford Health, and the University of Michigan. The state has a moderate flat income tax rate, and the cost of living is well below the national average, which creates favorable real purchasing power. The calculator's mid-sized to large metro adjustment applies to the Detroit area, while outstate positions in Grand Rapids (Spectrum Health/Corewell) and Traverse City may carry small-market adjustments but often offset this with higher guaranteed salaries to attract candidates.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Georgia?

Georgia's cardiologist market is heavily concentrated in metropolitan Atlanta, where Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Healthcare, and WellStar Health System are the dominant employers. Atlanta's large metro size triggers the calculator's upward market adjustment. Georgia's state income tax is moderate, and the cost of living in Atlanta's suburbs remains significantly below northeastern cities. Rural Georgia offers recruitment incentives and higher base guarantees due to specialist scarcity, which the calculator captures when users select a small market size but high demand profile.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Ohio?

Ohio benefits from the presence of Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, two institutions that set national standards in cardiovascular care. Cardiologists in Cleveland and Columbus can expect mid-to-upper range salary estimates in the calculator, with Ohio's moderate state income tax and low cost of living contributing to strong after-tax figures. Cincinnati's TriHealth and Christ Hospital systems and the Dayton market provide additional opportunities with competitive compensation.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in North Carolina?

North Carolina is a growing market for cardiologists, with Charlotte and the Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham) experiencing rapid population growth. Atrium Health (Charlotte), Duke Health (Durham), and WakeMed Health compete for cardiovascular specialists. The state has a relatively low flat income tax rate, and the cost of living is moderate. The calculator applies a large metro adjustment for Charlotte and a mid-sized adjustment for Raleigh-Durham, with rural areas of the state offering premium salaries to overcome recruitment challenges.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Illinois?

Illinois's cardiologist market is dominated by metropolitan Chicago, where Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Aurora Health, Rush University Medical Center, and UChicago Medicine all recruit aggressively. The state's flat income tax rate is moderate, though Chicago residents face additional local considerations. The calculator's large metro adjustment applies to the greater Chicago area, producing salary estimates comparable to other major metros. Downstate Illinois cities like Springfield and Peoria operate as small to mid-sized markets with correspondingly adjusted but still competitive compensation packages.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Maryland?

Maryland's proximity to Washington, DC, and the presence of Johns Hopkins Medicine, MedStar Health, and the University of Maryland Medical System create a competitive cardiologist market. State income taxes are above the national average, which the calculator factors into after-tax estimates. The Baltimore-Washington corridor functions as a large metro market, and cardiologists here benefit from high patient volumes driven by a dense, aging population and strong insurance payer mix.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Indiana?

Indiana offers cardiologists an attractive combination of moderate gross pay and low cost of living, resulting in strong real purchasing power. Indianapolis, anchored by Indiana University Health, Ascension St. Vincent, and Community Health Network, is the primary job market. The state has a low flat income tax, and the calculator's after-tax estimates reflect this advantage. The calculator applies a mid-sized to large metro adjustment for Indianapolis, while smaller Indiana cities like Fort Wayne and Evansville carry small-market adjustments but often compensate with higher guaranteed bases and loan repayment.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Virginia?

Virginia's cardiologist opportunities span the Northern Virginia-DC corridor (Inova Health System, Virginia Heart), the Richmond market (VCU Health, HCA Virginia), and the Hampton Roads area (Sentara Healthcare). Northern Virginia benefits from large metro proximity to Washington, DC, with corresponding salary premiums and high cost of living. The state income tax is moderate, and the calculator adjusts estimates accordingly. Rural southwestern Virginia offers significant recruitment incentives.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Connecticut?

Connecticut's cardiologist market is shaped by Yale New Haven Health, Hartford HealthCare, and Nuvance Health. Gross salaries are competitive, but the state has one of the higher income tax burdens in the nation, which the calculator's after-tax module reflects. The cost of living, particularly in Fairfield County, is well above the national average. Cardiologists in Connecticut often weigh the proximity to New York City referral networks against the state's tax impact on take-home compensation.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in New Jersey?

New Jersey offers strong cardiologist demand through systems like RWJBarnabas Health, Hackensack Meridian Health, and Atlantic Health System. Gross pay is competitive with New York but the state's high income tax rate and property taxes reduce after-tax income significantly. The calculator displays this clearly when users compare New Jersey to nearby no-tax or low-tax states. Northern New Jersey functions within the New York City large metro market, while central and southern regions operate more independently with mid-sized market adjustments.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Chicago?

Chicago's cardiologist market benefits from the presence of multiple nationally ranked cardiovascular programs at Northwestern Memorial, Rush, UChicago, and Advocate Christ Medical Center. The calculator applies a large metro salary adjustment for Chicago, producing hourly estimates in the $115–$185 range. After-tax estimates account for Illinois's state income tax. Chicago's deep bench of cardiology training programs means a steady supply of fellowship graduates, which moderates upward salary pressure relative to markets with fewer training pipelines.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is one of the highest-paying markets for cardiologists in gross terms, driven by Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health, Keck Medicine of USC, and Providence Southern California. The calculator's large metro adjustment pushes hourly estimates into the $120–$195 range. However, California's high state income tax and Los Angeles's extreme cost of living substantially reduce after-tax and cost-adjusted figures. Cardiologists considering Los Angeles should use the calculator's after-tax module to compare against lower-cost, lower-tax alternatives.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in New York City (NYC)?

NYC is the most competitive cardiologist market in the country, with NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia and Weill Cornell, and Montefiore all recruiting aggressively. The calculator's large metro adjustment and high demand produce hourly estimates of $125–$200+. The combined burden of federal, New York State, and New York City income taxes creates the largest tax impact of any location in the calculator. Cardiologists should pay close attention to the calculator's after-tax output when evaluating NYC offers, as a $450,000 gross salary in NYC can yield a similar take-home to a $350,000 salary in Houston or Dallas.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Houston?

Houston's Texas Medical Center creates an exceptionally deep cardiologist job market. Houston Methodist, Baylor St. Luke's (part of CommonSpirit Health), Memorial Hermann, and UT Health Houston all compete for interventional and EP cardiologists. The calculator applies a large metro adjustment, and the absence of state income tax in Texas means after-tax estimates for Houston are among the highest nationally. Hourly estimates range from $120–$190, with annual projections of $249,600–$395,200 before the no-tax advantage further widens the gap.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Phoenix?

Phoenix's rapidly growing population and large retiree community generate strong demand for cardiologists. Banner Health, HonorHealth, Dignity Health, and Mayo Clinic Arizona are the primary employers. The calculator applies a large metro adjustment, with hourly estimates of $110–$175. Arizona's moderate state income tax and relatively affordable cost of living create favorable after-tax results. Phoenix is increasingly attractive to cardiologists relocating from California who want to maintain procedural volume while improving take-home pay.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Atlanta?

Atlanta's cardiologist market is driven by Emory Healthcare (including Emory University Hospital and Emory St. Joseph's), Piedmont Heart Institute, WellStar Health System, and Northside Hospital. The calculator's large metro adjustment applies, producing hourly estimates of $110–$180. Georgia's moderate state income tax and Atlanta's lower cost of living relative to coastal metros create strong after-tax outcomes. The rapid suburban growth across Gwinnett, Cobb, and Forsyth counties has expanded satellite cardiology positions with competitive compensation.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in San Diego?

San Diego offers cardiologists access to Scripps Health, UC San Diego Health, and Sharp HealthCare. The calculator applies a large metro adjustment, with hourly estimates of $115–$185. Like the rest of California, San Diego's state income tax significantly impacts after-tax figures, though the city's cost of living, while high, is somewhat lower than Los Angeles or San Francisco. Cardiologists considering San Diego should compare the calculator's after-tax output against Texas or Florida markets to understand the true compensation differential.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Washington, DC?

The Washington, DC, metropolitan area encompasses employers across DC, Maryland, and Virginia, including MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, George Washington University Hospital, and Johns Hopkins affiliates. The calculator applies a large metro adjustment, with hourly estimates of $120–$190. DC itself imposes its own income tax, and nearby Maryland adds additional state tax burden, while Virginia's rate is more moderate. The calculator allows users to compare after-tax results across these three jurisdictions for the same metro area, which is a critical exercise for DC-area cardiologists.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Boston?

Boston is home to some of the most prestigious cardiology programs in the world — Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess, and Tufts Medical Center. The calculator's large metro adjustment produces hourly estimates of $125–$195. Massachusetts has a flat state income tax that is moderate relative to New York or California but still above the national median. Academic cardiologist positions at Mass General Brigham or the VA Boston Healthcare System may carry lower gross pay offset by research time and academic advancement opportunities, which users can model by reducing hours in the calculator.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Dallas?

Dallas-Fort Worth's explosive population growth has created sustained demand for cardiologists across Baylor Scott & White Health, UT Southwestern, Texas Health Resources, and Medical City Healthcare. The calculator applies a large metro adjustment, and Texas's zero state income tax delivers strong after-tax results. Hourly estimates of $115–$185 translate to some of the best cost-of-living-adjusted incomes in the country for cardiologists, making DFW a top relocation destination.

What Is the Cardiologist Doctor Salary in Seattle?

Seattle's cardiologist market centers on UW Medicine, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Swedish Medical Center, and Providence. The calculator applies a large metro adjustment, producing hourly estimates of $120–$190. Washington State has no income tax, which provides a significant after-tax advantage visible in the calculator. Seattle's cost of living, particularly housing, is high but offset by the tax savings. The combination of strong academic programs and no state income tax makes Seattle particularly competitive for senior cardiologists seeking to maximize take-home compensation.