Thoracic surgeon compensation has increased across multiple specialties since 2023, according to a Jan. 26 news release from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.
Results from the society's second annual compensation survey were presented at the organization's annual meeting. The survey, developed in partnership with data analytics firm Gallagher, includes data from more than 1,000 surgeon responses.
Here are three things to know from the survey's findings, according to a Jan. 28 TCTMD report:
- Median total compensation rose 7.8% for congenital surgeons, who also reported the highest compensation at $990,800. Compensation rose 8.5%, 5.5% and 3.7% for general thoracic surgeons, cardiac surgeons and hybrid practice surgeons, respectively.
- Median base starting salaries for surgeons with two or less years out from training varied across specialties as well. General thoracic surgeons' median starting salary was $400,186, while the median salary for cardiac surgeons was $575,000.
Starting salaries jumped to $477,027 and $750,000 for general thoracic and cardiac surgeons, respectively, once they were three to five years out of training, - According to the survey, female surgeons continue to earn less than their male counterparts across specialties. Females make 89% of what males earn in general thoracic surgery, 83% of what males earn in cardiac surgery, 82% of what males earn in hybrid practice and 66% of what males earn in congenital surgery.
The full 2024 compensation survey will be available in February.