Cardiologist salary in California
Cardiologists in California earn a median of $185,610 a year ($89.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $109,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $532,070 for the top 10%. That is 63% lower than the national median of $496,010. California ranks 36th of 36 states for cardiologists pay. There are 0.04 cardiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.31). The average (mean) salary is $296,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cardiologists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $109,310 | $52.55 |
| 25th percentile | $112,020 | $53.86 |
| Median | $185,610 | $89.24 |
| 75th percentile | $493,670 | $237.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $532,070 | $255.80 |
| Average (mean) | $296,940 | $142.76 |
Half of cardiologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $15,467.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,733.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,138.85 |
| Weekly | $3,569.42 |
| Hourly | $89.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cardiologist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $493,670 | n/a |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $239,200+ | n/a |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $119,690 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for cardiologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $656,330 |
| Missouri | $648,070 |
| Nebraska | $646,300 |
| Wisconsin | $636,580 |
| Tennessee | $610,080 |
| Georgia | $610,070 |
| Indiana | $588,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $579,120 |
| Kentucky | $558,180 |
| Alabama | $519,480 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $135.38 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | $81.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | $60.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,820 | $50.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,970 | $57.20 |
| Dentists, General | $165,950 | $79.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $124,510 | $59.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,650 | $79.64 |
| Veterinarian | $163,920 | $78.81 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $98,850 | $47.52 |
| Optometrist | $136,300 | $65.53 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1212. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cardiologist make in California?
The median salary for cardiologists in California is $185,610 a year, or $89.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $109,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $532,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cardiologists make in California?
The top 10% of cardiologists in California earn at least $532,070 a year. The top 25% earn $493,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for cardiologists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $109,310 a year, and a quarter of cardiologists earn $112,020 or less.
How many cardiologists work in California?
About 630 cardiologists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.