Cardiologists Salary
Cardiologists in California make a median of $185,610 a year, or about $89.24 an hour. The range runs from $109K at the entry level to $532K for experienced workers. Note: the mean (average) wage is $297K, significantly higher than the median. This typically reflects a mix of employment settings including academic and private practice positions. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $174,873 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,471/month, or 23.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
Where the paycheck goes
What $186K actually covers in California, month by month
About cardiologists
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What this looks like in California
Pay for cardiologists in California runs about 63% below the U.S. median of $496K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,471/month, 23.8% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 106.14), so groceries and services cost more too. Lower pay, lower costs, California can be a reasonable trade-off for cardiologists who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level cardiologists (10th percentile) start around $109K. Mid-career wages sit at $186K. Top earners bring in $532K or more, a $423K spread from bottom to top.
Cardiologists salary by metro in California
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $494K | +166% | N/A |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $120K | -36% | N/A |
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BLS updates this data annually. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Quick answers
The stuff people actually ask about this job
Can a cardiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
Yes — at the median salary of $186K, rent takes 23.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,471/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for cardiologists in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new cardiologists typically earn — is $109K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,582/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 38% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is cardiologist a high-paying job in California?
Local pay runs 63% below the national median — $186K here vs. $496K nationally.
How does California compare to the national average for cardiologists?
California pays $186K median vs. the U.S. average of $496K — that’s -63%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $175K — below the national median.
How much do cardiologists make in California?
The median is $185,610 a year, that works out to about $89 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $109,310, and experienced cardiologists can clear $532,070. The mean (average) is $296,940, reflecting that some workers earn substantially more. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $186K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,401/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 23.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a cardiologists salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 106.14 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median cardiologists salary is worth about $174,873 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do cardiologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.