What it is
Thoracic (and cardiac) surgeons operate on the heart, lungs, esophagus, and chest — bypass surgery, valve repair, lung and esophageal cancer, and transplants. It's among the most complex surgical fields.
What you do
They perform heart, lung, and chest operations, from coronary bypass and valve surgery to thoracic oncology and transplantation.
Training path & length
An integrated 6-year residency or general surgery plus a 2–3 year fellowship.
Fellowship subspecialties
Focus areas include adult cardiac, general thoracic, congenital heart, and transplant surgery.
Pay & job outlook
Physicians are among the highest-paid professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median wage of $275,930 for physicians and surgeons (May 2025), with employment projected to grow about 4% from 2025 to 2035. Pay varies by specialty — procedural and surgical fields generally earn more.
Cardiothoracic surgeons are among the highest-paid physicians.
How to get there
Become a physician first: earn an MD or DO, then match into this residency. Licensure requires completing residency and passing the board exams.
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Key facts
- Training6–8 years (integrated or fellowship)
- TreatsHeart, lungs, esophagus, chest
- FocusCardiac, general thoracic, congenital, transplant
- PayAmong the highest in medicine
- EntryMD or DO via the match