California Median
$185,610
per year
Hourly Rate
$89.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-63% vs US median
US median $496,010
State Rank
#23 of 23
630 employed here
How much does a Cardiologist make in California?
Cardiologists in California take home a median of $185,610 annually — roughly $89.24 an hour — which runs 63% below the national median of $496,010.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $109,310 while the top 10% make $532,070 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $112,020 and $493,670 a year.
Cardiologist salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $109,310 | $52.55 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $112,020 | $53.86 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $185,610 | $89.24 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $493,670 | $237.34 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $532,070 | $255.80 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 23rd out of 23 states and territories for Cardiologist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cardiologist salary in other states
Washington $656,330Missouri $648,070Nebraska $646,300Wisconsin $636,580Tennessee $610,080Georgia $610,070Indiana $588,890Pennsylvania $579,120Kentucky $558,180Alabama $519,480Illinois $517,850Ohio $504,260New York $492,040Connecticut $488,940Virginia $461,450Michigan $419,030Florida $414,910Texas $410,150Rhode Island $395,610Maryland $337,230New Jersey $286,540Iowa $283,070
Working as a Cardiologist in California
Nationally, about 17,000 people work as Cardiologists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($185,610) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cardiologist make in California?
The median Cardiologist salary in California is $185,610 per year, or about $89.24 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $109,310 at the entry level to $532,070 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Cardiologists about 63% less than the national median of $496,010. California ranks 23rd out of 23 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Cardiologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $185,610 a year. About 630 Cardiologists are employed in California. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Cardiologist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.