Cardiologist Salary: Daily Earnings & Income Breakdown

Cardiologist Compensation Overview (U.S., 2023–2024)

• Median total compensation (Medscape/MGMA/AMGA): $490,000–$550,000/yr
• Range (25th–75th %ile): $380,000 – $650,000
• Top 10% (high-volume interventional/private): >$800,000
• Academic/employed median: $350,000–$420,000

Daily Earnings Estimate

• Assuming 240 clinical days/yr: ~$1,600–$2,300/day (median to high).
• Including admin/research days (260 total): ~$1,500–$2,100/day.

Major Income Drivers

1. Subspecialty: Interventional (cath, structural, peripheral) > Electrophysiology > Heart Failure/Transplant > General/Non-invasive.
2. Practice model: Private practice (ownership/ASC) > Hospital-employed > Academic.
3. Geography: South/Midwest > West > Northeast (adjusted for COL).
4. Volume & payer mix: High cath/EP volume + favorable commercial/Medicare mix.
5. Ancillary: Imaging (echo, nuclear), device clinics, clinical trials, speaking, consulting, IP royalties.

Trends

• Shift toward employment models; private practice declining.
• RVU-based compensation with quality/value modifiers.
• Growing disparity: interventionalists pulling ahead.
• Burnout driving early retirement/part-time shifts.

Figures represent pre-tax, pre-overhead (for owners) compensation. Always benchmark with current MGMA/AMGA/Medscape reports for negotiation.