Healthcare career

Cardiologist

Also called: Heart Doctor · Interventional Cardiologist · Electrophysiologist · Cardiovascular Physician

What cardiologists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a cardiologist do?

Cardiologists are physicians who diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel diseases, including heart attacks, heart failure, arrhythmias and high blood pressure. The median pay is $496,010 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 14+ years after high school, and employment is projected to grow +4.8% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $496,010
    $238.47/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +4.8%
    2025–35, about as fast as average
  • Openings per year
    500
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Doctoral or professional degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    14+ years after high school
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    18,500
    Employment, 2025

What cardiologists do

Cardiologists care for the heart. They evaluate chest pain and shortness of breath, read EKGs, echocardiograms and stress tests, manage heart failure and high cholesterol, and treat arrhythmias. Interventional cardiologists open blocked arteries with stents; electrophysiologists treat rhythm problems with ablations and pacemakers.

Cardiologists complete medical school, a three-year internal medicine residency and a three-year cardiology fellowship, with more training for subspecialties. BLS lists cardiologists among the highest-paid occupations.

Typical duties

  • Evaluate heart symptoms
  • Read EKGs and imaging
  • Manage heart failure and hypertension
  • Treat arrhythmias
  • Perform catheterizations and stents
  • Prescribe heart medications
  • Counsel patients on prevention

Work environment and schedule

Cardiologists work in hospitals, catheterization labs and outpatient clinics.

Schedule: Hours are long, with call for emergencies such as heart attacks.

A day in the life

  1. Round on hospital patients.
  2. Read echocardiograms.
  3. Perform a cardiac catheterization.
  4. Place a stent in a blocked artery.

See a full day in the life of a cardiologist →

Cardiologist salary

Half of cardiologists earned more than $496,010 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $107,190 for the lowest 10% to $712,130 for the top 10%.

Full cardiologist pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a cardiologist

  1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
  2. Complete medical school
  3. Complete internal medicine residency
  4. Complete cardiology fellowship
  5. Pass boards

Medical school, a three-year internal medicine residency and a cardiology fellowship are required, plus a state license and board certification.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a cardiologist →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Cardiac diagnosis
  • EKG interpretation
  • Echocardiography
  • Catheterization
  • Heart failure management

People skills

  • Decisiveness
  • Communication
  • Calm under pressure
  • Empathy

All cardiologist skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Among the highest-paid jobs
  • Life-saving procedures
  • Growing demand with an aging population
  • Many subspecialties

Cons

  • Very long training
  • Emergency call
  • High stress
  • Radiation exposure in cath labs

Certifications and licenses

  • ABIM cardiovascular disease certification: Board certification.
  • State medical license: Required.
  • Interventional cardiology certification: Subspecialty.
  • Echocardiography board: Imaging credential.

Career path

  1. Internal Medicine Resident: Train.
  2. Cardiology Fellow: Specialize.
  3. Cardiologist: Practice.
  4. Program Director: Lead heart programs.

Learn the job before day one

Our Cardiologist training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as read a 12-lead EKG and respond to a STEMI alert, safety and how to land your first job.

View Cardiologist trainingIs this career right for me?

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Cardiologist FAQ

How long does it take to become a cardiologist?

Usually 14 or more years after high school.

Do all cardiologists do surgery?

No, heart surgery is done by cardiothoracic surgeons; interventional cardiologists do catheter procedures.

Is cardiology in demand?

Yes, heart disease is common and the population is aging.

How much does a cardiologist make?

The median annual wage for cardiologists was $496,010 ($238.47 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $107,190 and the highest 10% earned more than $712,130.

How long does it take to become a cardiologist?

Most people need about 14+ years after high school of training. Medical school, a three-year internal medicine residency and a cardiology fellowship are required, plus a state license and board certification.

Do you need a degree to be a cardiologist?

Yes. BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry-level education, and you also need a state license to practice.

More cardiologist questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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