Career comparison
Cardiologist vs. Internist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Cardiologists earn more at the median ($496,010 vs. $256,560), while internists usually get to work faster (11 years after high school of training). Cardiologists diagnose and treat diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Internists diagnose and manage illnesses in adults, in clinics and hospitals.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Cardiologist | Internist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $496,010 ($238.47/hr) | $256,560 ($123.35/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $107,190 – $712,130 | $73,570 – $475,430 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.8% (about as fast as average) | +4.0% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 500 | 1,900 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 14+ years after high school | 11 years after high school |
| Key credential | ABIM cardiovascular disease certification | ABIM board certification |
| Work setting | Cardiologists work in hospitals, catheterization labs and outpatient clinics.. | Internists work in hospitals, outpatient clinics and academic medical centers.. |
What each job does
Cardiologist
- Evaluate heart symptoms
- Read EKGs and imaging
- Manage heart failure and hypertension
- Treat arrhythmias
- Perform catheterizations and stents
Internist
- Diagnose adult illnesses
- Manage chronic conditions
- Care for hospitalized patients
- Order and interpret tests
- Coordinate specialist care
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, high responsibility, helping others, and indoor work. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose cardiologist if…
- I’m fascinated by the heart
- I want to do life-saving procedures
- I handle emergencies well
Choose internist if…
- I love diagnostic puzzles
- I want to care for adults
- I like hospital medicine
Still torn? Take the Cardiologist fit quiz and the Internist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, cardiologist or internist?
Cardiologists earn more at the median: $496,010 versus $256,560 for internists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Internists typically train faster (11 years after high school) than cardiologists (14+ years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects cardiologists to grow +4.8% from 2025–35, compared with +4.0% for internists.