Cardiologists: Career Profile
Diagnose, treat, manage, and prevent diseases or conditions of the cardiovascular system. May further subspecialize in interventional procedures (e.g., balloon angioplasty and stent placement), echocardiography, or electrophysiology.
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What Tasks Do Cardiologists Take On?
The core tasks performed by cardiologists cover:
- Administer emergency cardiac care for life-threatening heart problems, such as cardiac arrest and heart attack.
- Advise patients and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, or disease prevention.
- Answer questions that patients have about their health and well-being.
- Calculate valve areas from blood flow velocity measurements.
- Compare measurements of heart wall thickness and chamber sizes to standards to identify abnormalities, using the results of an echocardiogram.
- Conduct electrocardiogram (EKG), phonocardiogram, echocardiogram, or other cardiovascular tests to record patients' cardiac activity, using specialized electronic test equipment, recording devices, or laboratory instruments.
- Conduct exercise electrocardiogram tests to monitor cardiovascular activity under stress.
- Conduct research to develop or test medications, treatments, or procedures that prevent or control disease or injury.
Related Job Titles
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- APP (Advanced Practice Provider)
- Cardiac Specialist
- Cardiologist
- Cardiology Non-Invasive Physician
- Cardiology Physician
- DO Physician (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Physician)
- Electrophysiology Cardiologist
- General Cardiologist
Job Outlook
There are roughly 2,653,154 cardiologists working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +3.8% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Cardiologists Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $114,867 |
| Hourly median | $55.22 |
| 10th percentile | $75,080 |
| 25th percentile | $94,973 |
| 75th percentile | $134,760 |
| 90th percentile | $154,654 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Cardiologists Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Texas | $168,780 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Pay for cardiologists differ across the country. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest | $140,344 | 12.7% | 1.30 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | TX | $137,710 | 640 |
Top Industries Employing Cardiologists
The bulk of cardiologists work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 17,580 | n/a |
| Wholesale Trade | 60 | n/a |
Below are examples of industries where cardiologists work:
Tools and Technology
- Medical software: Epic Systems (hot technology)
- Medical software: MEDITECH software (hot technology)
Getting Started in This Career
This occupation sits in Extensive Preparation Needed (Job Zone 5), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Physician Assistants (Supplemental)
- Anesthesiologist Assistants (Supplemental)
- Acute Care Nurses (Supplemental)
- Nurse Practitioners (Supplemental)
- Anesthesiologists (Primary-Short)
- Dermatologists (Supplemental)
- Emergency Medicine Physicians (Primary-Short)
- Family Medicine Physicians (Primary-Long)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Students preparing for cardiologists often complete programs in:
4 programs across 2 majors
Health Professions and Related Programs
2 programs across 1 majors
References
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 29-1212.00 (Cardiologists).
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