Cardiologists averaged $575,000 in 2025, marking a 10% raise from the prior year and second-highest pay of any physician specialty. Nearly half still don’t feel fairly compensated, according to recent salary reports.
Here are 10 stats to know on cardiology compensation this year:
- Cardiologists in the U.S. earned an average of $575,000 in 2025, up about 10% from 2024, according to Medscape’s Cardiologist Compensation Report 2026.
- Cardiologists had the second-highest annual compensation among more than 25 physician specialties included in the report, trailing only orthopedics.
- Just over half (52%) of respondents in the report feel that they are paid fairly.
- The average incentive bonus for cardiologists is $79,000, which is impacted by RVUs generated, quality care metrics and patient satisfaction ratings alongside other data points.
- Only 37% of cardiologists augment their regular pay with outside work, which includes more hours, medical moonlighting and nonmedical outside work.
- Across the U.S., the annual median wage for cardiologists is $496,010, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- There are six states where the median wage for cardiologists is more than $600,000: Washington, Missouri, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Georgia.
- Electrophysiologists command the highest base salaries among cardiology subspecialties, earning an average of $645,112 annually, according to data from salary transparency website Marit Health.
- Pediatric cardiologists report base pay closer to $321,850, a gap of more than $320,000 compared to electrophysiologists.
- Physician assistants in cardiovascular surgery earn the most of any PA specialty, according to SullivanCotter’s “2025 Advanced Practice Provider Compensation and Productivity Survey.”
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