Cardiology is a fulfilling career path that also provides significant financial rewards for those in the profession.
However, those rewards are evolving due to changing demands, technological advancements, and increasing interest in flexible practice models.
Whether you’re early in your career or an experienced clinician exploring new opportunities, knowing how factors such as location, experience, and employment type affect salaries will inform your career decisions. In this 2025 salary guide, we’ll share the latest national data and strategies clinicians use to boost their earning power.
Table of Contents
What Can Cardiologists Expect To Earn in 2025?
In 2025, full-time, permanent cardiologists earn an average annual salary of $585,512, with subspecialists, such as electrophysiologists, earning even higher salaries at $627,663 per year. Several trends support these salaries:
- Demand is outpacing supply: Due to an aging population and an increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, demand for cardiologist providers of all subspecialties and employment types is increasing. At the same time, a shortage of cardiologists could reach 17% by 2035, as over half of all practicing cardiologists are currently over 55 years old.Â
- Technology is making care more accessible: Non-invasive procedures, such as echocardiograms, are often preferred by patients, driving demand for subspecialties like electrophysiology.Â
What Factors Influence Cardiologist Compensation?
Multiple variables shape a cardiologist’s earning potential:
- Location: States with shortages or high patient demand typically offer higher salaries. Metropolitan areas, such as New York and Los Angeles, pay competitively, as do rural areas like North Dakota and Alaska.
- Experience level: Cardiologists with 15 to 20 years of practice may earn approximately 52% more than entry-level peers.
- Specialization: Subspecialties, such as interventional cardiology, earn approximately 15% more than general cardiology.
- Employment type: Temporary assignments, such as locum tenens, typically offer higher hourly pay, especially for urgent or rural positions.
Regional Salary Trends Across the US
Median salaries for permanent, full-time cardiologist physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) across states follow a few trends. First, highly urbanized areas tend to have higher wages, as evidenced by California, which has high salaries for physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants at $645,819, $187,120, and $157,311, respectively.Â
While Northeastern states generally have high median salaries, you can still earn significantly in a rural state like Alaska. However, the lowest-paying states are still predominantly rural areas with lower living costs, such as Mississippi, which has a median salary of $522,159 for physicians, $138,760 for nurse practitioners, and $127,190 for physician assistants.
Here’s a snapshot of cardiology physicians’ and APPs’ median salaries in select states:
Cardiologist Physician Salaries By State
| State | Average Physician Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $648,278 |
| California | $645,819 |
| Colorado | $645,819 |
| Massachusetts | $637,212 |
| New Jersey | $634,636 |
| Alaska | $633,816 |
| Connecticut | $625,736 |
| Delaware | $625,736 |
| New York | $622,457 |
| Hawaii | $611,977 |
| Maryland | $603,721 |
| Minnesota | $599,154 |
| Illinois | $596,812 |
| Oregon | $594,587 |
| New Hampshire | $591,917 |
| Virginia | $589,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $582,877 |
| Rhode Island | $582,877 |
| Nevada | $579,481 |
| North Dakota | $578,368 |
| Michigan | $576,612 |
| Vermont | $574,680 |
| Maine | $570,874 |
| Arizona | $570,522 |
| Ohio | $570,113 |
| Georgia | $564,726 |
| Indiana | $562,033 |
| Wyoming | $561,506 |
| Utah | $560,686 |
| Iowa | $560,335 |
| Kansas | $557,524 |
| Louisiana | $556,704 |
| North Carolina | $556,412 |
| Missouri | $556,295 |
| Montana | $556,295 |
| Florida | $554,011 |
| Nebraska | $551,610 |
| Kentucky | $550,966 |
| South Carolina | $548,624 |
| Tennessee | $547,161 |
| Texas | $547,161 |
| Idaho | $546,575 |
| New Mexico | $542,301 |
| Oklahoma | $541,364 |
| Alabama | $537,909 |
| South Dakota | $532,113 |
| Arkansas | $528,951 |
| West Virginia | $527,253 |
| Wisconsin | $527,253 |
| Mississippi | $522,159 |
Source: Salary.com
Cardiologist Nurse Practitioner Salary by State
| State | Average NP Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $187,120 |
| New Jersey | $169,510 |
| New York | $167,410 |
| Massachusetts | $164,130 |
| Oregon | $161,230 |
| Nevada | $161,210 |
| Washington | $160,450 |
| Connecticut | $155,600 |
| New Mexico | $153,310 |
| Hawaii | $151,840 |
| Iowa | $151,680 |
| Minnesota | $151,660 |
| New Hampshire | $148,840 |
| Rhode Island | $148,210 |
| Texas | $147,520 |
| Illinois | $144,740 |
| Oklahoma | $144,060 |
| Indiana | $144,050 |
| Arizona | $143,670 |
| Wisconsin | $143,430 |
| Delaware | $142,680 |
| Pennsylvania | $142,650 |
| Montana | $141,950 |
| Maryland | $141,590 |
| Nebraska | $140,780 |
| Maine | $139,990 |
| Louisiana | $139,880 |
| Idaho | $139,300 |
| Ohio | $138,970 |
| Mississippi | $138,760 |
| Virginia | $138,430 |
| Vermont | $137,990 |
| Colorado | $137,790 |
| Alaska | $137,730 |
| South Dakota | $136,810 |
| Utah | $136,810 |
| Georgia | $136,610 |
| Wyoming | $136,360 |
| North Carolina | $135,430 |
| North Dakota | $134,830 |
| Michigan | $134,640 |
| Missouri | $133,930 |
| Kansas | $132,140 |
| Florida | $130,540 |
| Kentucky | $129,330 |
| South Carolina | $129,140 |
| Arkansas | $126,750 |
| West Virginia | $126,370 |
| Alabama | $126,160 |
| Tennessee | $117,540 |
Source: Nursingprocess.org
Cardiologist Physician Assistant Salaries by State
| State | Average PA Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $157,910 |
| California | $157,311 |
| Massachusetts | $155,215 |
| Washington | $154,644 |
| New Jersey | $154,587 |
| Alaska | $154,387 |
| Connecticut | $152,419 |
| New York | $151,621 |
| Hawaii | $149,068 |
| Rhode Island | $147,870 |
| Maryland | $147,057 |
| Minnesota | $145,944 |
| Colorado | $145,516 |
| Illinois | $145,374 |
| Oregon | $144,832 |
| Delaware | $144,432 |
| New Hampshire | $144,181 |
| Virginia | $143,619 |
| Pennsylvania | $141,979 |
| Nevada | $141,152 |
| North Dakota | $140,881 |
| Michigan | $140,453 |
| Wisconsin | $140,296 |
| Vermont | $139,983 |
| Texas | $139,113 |
| Maine | $139,056 |
| Arizona | $138,970 |
| Ohio | $138,870 |
| Georgia | $137,558 |
| Indiana | $136,902 |
| Wyoming | $136,774 |
| Utah | $136,574 |
| Iowa | $136,488 |
| Kansas | $135,804 |
| Louisiana | $135,604 |
| North Carolina | $135,533 |
| Missouri | $135,504 |
| Florida | $134,948 |
| Montana | $134,649 |
| Nebraska | $134,363 |
| Kentucky | $134,206 |
| South Carolina | $133,636 |
| Tennessee | $133,279 |
| Idaho | $133,137 |
| New Mexico | $132,096 |
| Oklahoma | $131,868 |
| Alabama | $131,026 |
| South Dakota | $129,614 |
| Arkansas | $128,844 |
| West Virginia | $128,430 |
| Mississippi | $127,190 |
Source: Salary.com
Experience Makes a Difference
Experienced cardiologists are in high demand and are compensated more than their entry-level counterparts. Physicians with 20 years of experience earn around 52% more, while experienced nurse practitioners and physician assistants earn 89% and 78% more, respectively.Â
| Years of Experience | Physician Pay | Nurse Practitioner Pay | Physician Assistant Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-5 years | $360,000 | $103,350 | $122,785 |
| 6-14 years | $430,000 | $143,910 | $173,833 |
| 15+ years | $490,000 | $160,310 | N/A |
| 20+ years | $550,000 | $195,540 | N/A |
Sources: Becker’s ASC Review, Nursing Process, Salary.com
According to Medscape’s 2023 Cardiologist Salary Report, experienced cardiologists are in high demand due to the complexity of the work. New technologies, such as interventional catheters, have dramatically changed the way cardiology care is delivered. Physicians with experience and expertise in these new methods are often compensated significantly more than their less experienced peers.
Top-Paying Cardiologist SpecailtiesÂ
Specializing can significantly increase your earning potential. Cardiologist subspecialties, such as electrophysiology and interventional cardiology, can earn significantly more due to their niche expertise and growing demand. For example, the average electrophysiologist earns 7% more than a general cardiologist, which is already a high-paying specialty.Â
| Subspecialty | Hourly Rate | Weekly Rate | Monthly Rate | Annual Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrophysiology | $326 | $13,076 | $52,305 | $627,663 |
| Invasive/Interventional Cardiology | $298 | $11,921 | $47,682 | $572,186 |
| Non-Invasive Cardiology | $246 | $9,825 | $39,301 | $471,613 |
Invasive/Interventional cardiologists, in particular, are seeing large salary increases in recent years due to new technologies that make procedures less invasive. As a result, more patients are opting for procedures they might not have previously.
How Employment Type Affects Pay for Cardiologist Providers
The median annual salary for a permanent cardiologist is $585,512, while nurse practitioners earn $147,540 and physician assistants earn $142,621.
While your salary will depend on the frequency of assignments, locum tenens providers can earn as much as $611,000 based on a daily rate of $2,200 to $2,500. That translates to 4% more than permanent cardiologist physicians.
Comparing Permanent and Locum Tenens Benefits
Cardiologists in temporary roles often receive higher pay, but choosing between a permanent position and temporary clinical work involves more than just salary considerations. For example, permanent positions come with significant benefits:
- Health insurance: Most hospital employers offer comprehensive coverage options at reduced costs.
- Paid time off: Vacation and sick leave are often built into permanent contracts.
- Retirement contributions: Many permanent roles include employer contributions to 401(k) or pension plans.
On the other hand, locum tenens assignments offer different, but significant benefits:Â
- Higher hourly pay: Cardiologists in temporary roles can earn 4% more than their permanently placed peers.
- Housing and travel stipends: Assignments typically include covered lodging and travel reimbursements.
- Licensing assistance: Many locum tenens agencies offer support by covering application fees, managing paperwork, and directly coordinating with state medical boards to expedite the licensing process when working in a new state.
This model increases overall compensation for many clinicians, especially when accepting weekend, night, or rural assignments.
How Cardiologists Can Increase Their Earning Potential
Whether you’re new to cardiology or considering a career shift, here are proven strategies to boost your income:
- Explore locum tenens or moonlighting: These options offer higher hourly rates and the freedom to work when and where you choose.
- Target high-paying states: Relocating or traveling to areas with higher demand can significantly improve your compensation.
- Leverage experience and specialization: Negotiating higher rates or leadership roles becomes easier with a strong resume and clinical track record.
At OnCall Solutions, we connect permanent, moonlighting, and locum tenens cardiologists with rewarding opportunities that align with expertise and salary expectations. We support you with job placement, contract negotiation, and career advice, so you don’t have to worry about whether or not you’re receiving your full value from an assignment.
OnCall Solutions: Your Career Partner in Cardiology
Cardiologist physicians and APPs have more options when choosing when and how much they work. Locum tenens roles offer the chance to increase income, reduce administrative burdens, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
At OnCall Solutions, we connect cardiologists and advanced practice clinicians with rewarding permanent, moonlighting, and temporary roles across the country. Our dedicated Chief Medical Officer provides clinical oversight throughout the recruitment process, ensuring each opportunity aligns with your skills, goals, and schedule. Additionally, our services are consistently 25 to 40% less expensive than those of comparable staffing firms.Â
Explore current job openings or connect with our team to get started today.
