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Cardiothoracic Surgeon Salary in UK: Cardiothoracic surgeons are among the highest-paid medical professionals in the UK, specializing in complex surgical procedures involving the heart, lungs, and chest organs. As of 2025, the demand for skilled cardiothoracic surgeons continues to rise, driven by an aging population and advancements in surgical technology.
If you are considering a career in cardiothoracic surgery or want to understand the latest salary trends, this guide provides a detailed breakdown of earnings based on experience, location, and employer type. Whether you aim to work for the NHS or in the private healthcare sector.
By the end of this article, you’ll have up-to-date salary insights to help you make informed career decisions. Let’s dive into the latest 2025 salary trends for cardiothoracic surgeons in the UK.
This Blog Includes:
- How Much is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon Paid in UK?
- Experience Wise Cardiothoracic Surgeon Salary in UK
- Education Wise Cardiothoracic Surgeon Salary in UK
- Organization Wise Cardiothoracic Surgeon Salary in UK
- City Wise Cardiothoracic Surgeon Salary in UK
- Position Wise Cardiothoracic Surgeon Salary in UK
- FAQs
How Much is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon Paid in UK?
Based on the report, the average annual salary you can make in the United Kingdom working as a cardiothoracic surgeon is around 346,600 GBP, and the average monthly salary is around 28,883 GBP. This can be compared to the lowest annual salary, which is around 172,100 GBP, and the lowest monthly salary is 14,341 GBP. If we discuss the highest annual salary, you can easily make around 535,000 GBP, and the highest monthly salary is 44,583 GBP.
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Experience Wise Cardiothoracic Surgeon Salary in UK
Newly qualified cardiothoracic surgeons, often working as junior surgeons or specialty trainees (ST1-ST8), earn between £62,300 and £75,000 annually. During this period, they gain hands-on experience in open-heart surgeries, thoracic procedures, and minimally invasive techniques. After completing specialized training, surgeons progress to consultant roles, significantly increasing their salaries. Those working in private hospitals or taking on additional roles in research and academia tend to earn on the higher end of this range.
Highly experienced cardiothoracic surgeons, especially those in private practice or high-demand urban centers like London, can earn over £350,000 annually. Those specializing in rare and high-risk surgeries, such as heart-lung transplants or pediatric cardiac surgery, often receive higher salaries due to their expertise.
Cardiothoracic surgery is one of the highest-paying medical professions in the UK. While the training is long and demanding, the financial rewards and career stability make it a lucrative and fulfilling career choice. The annual income difference for cardiothoracic surgeons in the UK based on work experience is shown below.
| Experience | Average Salary Per Year |
| 0-2 years | GBP 206,700 |
| 2-5 years | GBP 272,900 |
| 5-10 years | GBP 366,000 |
| 10-15 years | GBP 436,200 |
| 15-20 years | GBP 472,100 |
| 20+years | GBP 507,700 |
Education Wise Cardiothoracic Surgeon Salary in UK
The salary of a cardiothoracic surgeon in the UK is significantly influenced by educational qualifications, additional certifications, and specializations. Higher levels of education and advanced training often lead to better-paying opportunities, particularly in private hospitals and specialized surgical centers.
After completing an MBBS (or equivalent medical degree), aspiring cardiothoracic surgeons enter a Foundation Program (FY1 & FY2) to gain general medical experience. Passing the MRCS exam allows doctors to enter a specialty training program in cardiothoracic surgery, where they focus on surgical techniques and patient care.
Earning an FRCS qualification is a major career milestone in cardiothoracic surgery. It allows surgeons to apply for consultant positions in the NHS, significantly boosting their salaries. Surgeons with FRCS qualifications see a 100%+ salary jump upon becoming consultants.
Below is a detailed breakdown of how different levels of education affect a cardiothoracic surgeon’s salary in the UK, along with a percentage comparison of earning potential.
| Education Level | Average Salary Per Year |
| Bachelor’s degree | GBP 29,600 |
| Master’s degree | GBP 88,700 |
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Organization Wise Cardiothoracic Surgeon Salary in UK
A cardiothoracic surgeon’s salary in the UK varies significantly depending on their employer, whether they work for the NHS, private hospitals, academic institutions, or research organizations. The choice of organization affects not only salary but also benefits, workload, and career progression.
Surgeons working in private hospitals or independent surgical centers earn significantly more than their NHS counterparts due to higher patient consultation fees, flexible working hours, and profit-sharing models.
Here’s an updated breakdown of cardiothoracic surgeon salaries in 2025 based on different organizations, along with a percentage-based comparison for better insights.
| Organisation | Average Salary Per Year |
| The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation | GBP 55,329 – GBP 65,000 |
| Cleveland Clinic London | GBP 61,000 – GBP 70,000 |
| Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital NHS Foundation | GBP 93,000 – GBP 126,000 |
| NHS England | GBP 45,000 – GBP 53,000 |
| Barts Health NHS Trust | GBP 83,000 – GBP 93,000 |
| Prospect Health Recruitment | GBP 42,000 – GBP 60,000 |
| PDSA | GBP 40,000 – GBP 60,000 |
| CVS Group | GBP 38,000 – GBP 70,000 |
| Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust | GBP 91,000 – GBP 100,000 |
| University College London Hospitals | GBP 57,000 – GBP 90,000 |
| Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board | GBP 88,000 – GBP 100,000 |
| Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust | GBP 49,000 – GBP 100,000 |
City Wise Cardiothoracic Surgeon Salary in UK
The salary of a cardiothoracic surgeon in the UK varies significantly based on location, as some cities offer higher salaries due to demand, cost of living, and private sector opportunities. London and other metropolitan areas tend to offer the highest salaries, while smaller cities or rural areas often provide lower salaries but better work-life balance.
It depends on your career goals—private hospitals in London offer the highest salaries, while Edinburgh and Glasgow provide strong NHS careers with research opportunities.
Below is a detailed salary comparison based on different organizations employing cardiothoracic surgeons in the UK.
| Cities | Average Salary Per Year |
| Aberdenn | GBP 305,200 |
| Nottingam | GBP 335,800 |
| Birmingham | GBP 358,300 |
| York | GBP 305,200 |
| Bristol | GBP 314,400 |
| Belfast | GBP 324,100 |
| Sheffield | GBP 325,300 |
| Wolverhampton | GBP 318,000 |
Position Wise Cardiothoracic Surgeon Salary in UK
The salary of a cardiothoracic surgeon in the UK varies based on position, experience, and responsibilities. As surgeons progress from trainees to senior consultants, their earnings increase significantly. Additionally, those in private practice or specialized leadership roles earn substantially more.
Below is the latest 2025 breakdown of cardiothoracic surgeon salaries by position in the UK, along with percentage comparisons.
| Position | Average Salary Per Year |
| Physician Endocrinology | GBP 37,100 |
| Specialty Psychiatric Doctor | GBP 71,535 |
| Sports Medicine Physician | GBP 67,817 |
| GP Partner | GBP 67,608 |
| Consultant Doctor | GBP 66,662 |
| Paediatric Surgeon | GBP 65,238 |
| Neuropsychologists | GBP 59,853 |
| Neurosurgeon | GBP 57,559 |
| Psychologists | GBP 55,000 |
| Medical Registrar | GBP 54,686 |
| Physician Associate | GBP 44,651 |
| Pathologist | GBP 43,875 |
| Anaesthetist | GBP 43,416 |
| forensic pathologist | GBP 42,663 |
| Surgeon | GBP 38,629 |
| Assistant Professor, Transplant Surgery | GBP 53,180 |
| Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant | GBP 31,637 |
| Thoracic and Cardiothoracic Surgeon | GBP 67,775 |
| Abdominal Transplant Surgeon | GBP 67,775 |
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FAQs
According to historical data from jobs listed in the past year related to cardiothoracic surgery, the typical annual salary is roughly GBP 689,000. It’s important to note that there is room for career advancement because the highest-paying permanent Cardiothoracic Surgery position in the past year paid $950k yearly.
Your base pays as a physician pursuing speciality training falls between EUR 43,923 and GBP 63,152. Specialty physicians typically make between GBP 52,530 and GBP 82,400 per year in base pay. The base pay for a speciality-grade doctor is from GBP 83,945 to GBP 92,275.
Cardiologists who do not do invasive treatments make far less money than cardiac surgeons but nevertheless make a lot more than most people in normal employment. Both careers require a high degree of knowledge as well as enrollment in medical school.
Generally, a cardiothoracic surgeon’s average pay is around EUR 740,000 per year. Last year, the highest payment for a cardiothoracic surgeon was EUR 1.1 million per annum.
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