Salary Guides/Thoracic Surgeon

Thoracic Surgeon Salary Guide

Real salary ranges for Thoracic Surgeons in the US market — what you should expect, and what you can negotiate.

Salary Ranges

25TH PERCENTILE

$425,000

Entry-level or lower cost-of-living markets

50TH PERCENTILE

$550,000

Median — most roles fall here

75TH PERCENTILE

$675,000

Experienced, larger market or company

90TH PERCENTILE

$825,000

Top earners, premium markets

Cardiac surgeons command 15-25% premiums over general thoracic peers, while VATS specialization adds 10-15% to base compensation. Private practice models significantly outpace academic positions, with experienced surgeons in high-volume centers reaching $900K+, though academic tracks offer stability and research opportunities at $400-550K.

Top-Paying Cities

New York, NY$625,000

San Francisco, CA$615,000

Boston, MA$605,000

Los Angeles, CA$595,000

Chicago, IL$570,000

Top-Paying Industries

Private Practice (Cardiac Surgery)$750,000

Private Practice (General Thoracic)$620,000

Academic Medical Centers (R1)$485,000

Healthcare Systems/Hospital Networks$575,000

Surgical Hospitals/Specialty Centers$695,000

Negotiation Tip for Thoracic Surgeons

Emphasize VATS/robotic proficiency and cardiac procedural volume in negotiations—private practices will pay 12-18% premiums for surgeons who can independently manage complex minimally-invasive cases and reduce OR time, directly impacting facility revenue.

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