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Heart Surgeon Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$525K - $555K/yr

Heart surgeons specialize in hypoplastic left heart syndrome, mitral valve prolapse, Tetralogy of Fallot, congenital heart defects, including ventricular septal defect, transposition of the great ...

NY · On-site

A dedicated pediatric heart failure and transplant surgeon is scheduled to join the faculty in November 2026, providing the incoming Director with an opportunity to lead and develop an expanding team ...

... Surgeon to join our growing and nationally recognized program in Houston, Texas. This is an outstanding opportunity to become part of Texas Children's Heart Center, consistently ranked among the ...

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Heart Surgeon information

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$38K

$339.2K

$400K

How much do heart surgeon jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for heart surgeon in the United States is $339,174.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $303,000.00 and $400,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a heart surgeon do?

A heart surgeon, also known as a cardiac surgeon, is a medical doctor who specializes in performing surgeries on the heart and its associated blood vessels. Their work includes procedures such as coronary artery bypass, heart valve repair or replacement, and correcting congenital heart defects. Heart surgeons work closely with cardiologists and other healthcare professionals to treat complex heart conditions and often perform life-saving operations. They are highly trained, usually completing several years of specialized education and residency before practicing independently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a heart surgeon, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Heart Surgeon, you need extensive medical training, board certification in cardiothoracic surgery, and exceptional surgical skills. Mastery of advanced surgical instruments, imaging technologies, and familiarity with systems like electronic medical records are typically required. Precision, stress management, teamwork, and excellent decision-making are critical soft skills in this field. These competencies are vital for ensuring patient safety, achieving successful surgical outcomes, and working efficiently within high-pressure clinical environments.

What are some common challenges heart surgeons face during their daily work, and how can these be managed?

Heart surgeons often encounter high-pressure situations due to the complexity and critical nature of cardiac procedures. Managing long and unpredictable hours, maintaining intense focus during surgeries, and keeping up with rapid medical advancements are common challenges. Successful heart surgeons rely on strong teamwork with nurses, anesthesiologists, and other specialists, as well as ongoing education and meticulous preoperative planning to ensure patient safety and optimal outcomes. Building resilience and effective time management skills are also essential for sustaining a long and rewarding career in this demanding field.

What is the difference between Heart Surgeon vs Cardiothoracic Surgeon?

AspectHeart SurgeonCardiothoracic Surgeon
CredentialsMedical degree, surgical residency, specialized training in heart surgeryMedical degree, surgical residency, training in thoracic and cardiac surgeries
Work EnvironmentHospitals, specialized cardiac centersHospitals, clinics, surgical centers, often performing both heart and chest surgeries
Industry UsagePrimarily focused on heart proceduresPerforms surgeries on heart and chest organs, including lungs and esophagus

While both Heart Surgeons and Cardiothoracic Surgeons are highly trained cardiac specialists, Heart Surgeons focus exclusively on heart procedures, whereas Cardiothoracic Surgeons handle a broader range of chest-related surgeries. The choice depends on the specific surgical needs of the patient.

Are heart surgeons in demand?

Heart surgeons, also known as cardiothoracic surgeons, are in high demand due to the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and the need for specialized surgical care. The profession typically offers strong job stability, especially in hospitals and specialized clinics, with a requirement for extensive training and certification. Demand is expected to remain steady as populations age and medical technology advances.
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What cities are hiring for Heart Surgeon jobs?

Cities with the most Heart Surgeon job openings:

What states have the most Heart Surgeon jobs?

States with the most job openings for Heart Surgeon jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Heart Surgeon jobs?

For Heart Surgeon jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Heart Surgeon job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $339,174 per year, or $163.1 per hour.

Congenital Heart Surgeon

Chapel Hill, NC • On-site

University of North Carolina
10K+ employees

Other

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description


Posting Information
Posting Information
Department
Surgery - Cardiothoracic - 414010
Posting Open Date
04/24/2026
Application Deadline
Open Until Filled
Yes
Position Type
Permanent Faculty
Working Title
Congenital Heart Surgeon
Appointment Type
Open Rank
Vacancy ID
FAC0005893
Full-time/Part-time
Full-Time Permanent
Hours per week
40
FTE
1
Position Location
North Carolina, US
Hiring Range
Proposed Start Date
09/28/2026
Position Information
Be a Tar Heel!
A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn. One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.
Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We prepare tomorrow's healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.
Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.
Position Summary
The Department of Surgery at The University of North Carolina is seeking applications for a full-time academic congenital heart surgeon to join our Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery is among 9 clinical Divisions in the Department of Surgery. The Division currently includes 8 faculty members that provide exceptional care to patients from across the state of North Carolina. Academic appointment will be commensurate with the candidate's experience. Exceptional candidates demonstrating outstanding skill and achievement may be considered for additional leadership opportunities within the Department of Surgery; these roles are contingent upon departmental needs at the time of appointment.
The ideal candidate will be mid to late career with a proven track record and requisite experience in all aspects of congenital cardiac surgery. The chosen candidate will be expected to work closely and partner with the current congenital heart surgeon and others on the congenital heart team. The breadth of responsibilities will include neonatal cardiac surgery, pediatric heart failure, transplantation, ECMO, and adult congenital surgery. Preference will be given to individuals who bring unique skills, interests or qualifications to the current faculty in a complementary fashion. Individuals with a strong interest in research are encouraged to apply.
Faculty members within the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery must possess a desire to commit to all three missions of the Department of Surgery and School of Medicine, including the clinical, education, and research missions. Regarding the education mission, faculty members are expected to regularly participate in the education of medical students, residents, and fellows. Regarding research, a commitment to any one of a broad array of research interests is desirable, including but not limited to clinical trials, outcomes/health services, basic science, translational, ethics, education, or global surgery research. Regarding the clinical mission, faculty members must be committed to delivering high quality clinical care that is of value to the patients of UNC. Selected candidate must be team-oriented and have the ability to interact well with colleagues inside and out of the Division.
This position is being recruited as an open-rank, open-track appointment at an FTE between 0.5 FTE and 1.0 FTE. The appointment may also be offered as a fixed term track or tenure/tenure track appointment. The faculty member will be expected to perform both clinical and research duties, along with the academic responsibilities of an educational institution.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
  • MD or DO.
  • Chosen candidate should either have a current North Carolina Medical License or be eligible for application.


Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Completion of an ACGME approved Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency and Congenital Cardiac Surgery fellowship is preferred.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act. This position will be required to report Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Manager and complete annual training about reporting responsibilities.

Special Instructions
Quick Link
https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/316594
Department Contact Information
Department Contact Name and Title
Elizabeth Hubbard, HR Consultant
Department Contact Telephone or Email
elizabeth_hubbard@med.unc.edu
Academic Personnel Office Contact Information
If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University's Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost office at (919)-962-1091 or send an email to facultyrecruitment@unc.edu.
Please note: The Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost office will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.
If you have any questions about the job requirements or the hiring department notify the Department Contact.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.