Career profile Β· live from the Careermash careers engine
Career profile

Cardiologist

Becoming a cardiologist in the United States is an exciting journey filled with opportunities to make a significant impact on people's lives. Cardiologists are at the forefront of diagnosing and treating heart conditions, and with the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, the demand for skilled professionals in this field is soaring. This career path not only offers a chance to work with cutting-edge technology but also allows you to build meaningful relationships with patients as you guide them through their health journeys.
Degree usually required
AI impact: low££££ payUni route
0
AI impact
how much AI is reshaping it
Ottalie Β· your guide
Curious about being a cardiologist? Here's the honest picture - what you'd really do, what you'd earn, and every way in. No need to decide anything yet.

What you'd actually do

As a cardiologist in the US, you will specialise in diagnosing and treating heart-related conditions, ranging from congenital heart defects to coronary artery disease. Your role will involve conducting physical examinations, interpreting diagnostic tests, and developing treatment plans tailored to each patient's needs. You will also have the opportunity to perform procedures such as catheterisations and echocardiograms, contributing to the advancement of cardiovascular medicine. Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team is essential, as you will work alongside nurses, radiologists, and other specialists to ensure comprehensive patient care.
1Conducting patient consultations and physical examinations.
2Interpreting diagnostic tests such as ECGs and echocardiograms.
3Developing and implementing treatment plans for patients.

Career progression & pay

01
Getting in

Junior Cardiologist

$200,000
Medical Degree
As a junior cardiologist, you will begin your career in a residency programme, gaining hands-on experience in patient care under the supervision of experienced cardiologists.
02
Building up

Mid-Level Cardiologist

$300,000
Board Certification
In this stage, you will have completed your residency and possibly a fellowship, allowing you to specialise further and take on more complex cases.
03
At the top

Senior Cardiologist

$400,000+
Extensive Experience
At the peak of your career, you will lead a team of healthcare professionals, mentor junior doctors, and may also engage in research or teaching.

Degrees that lead here via Medicine and Dentistry

Apprenticeships that lead here

No apprenticeship standard maps directly yet - the university or college route is the main way in.

Organisations in this field

NHS
The National Health Service is the publicly funded healthcare system in the UK, offering a wide range of services including cardiology.
Barts Health NHS Trust
One of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing comprehensive cardiology services.
Royal Brompton Hospital
A leading heart and lung hospital in the UK, renowned for its cardiology department.

How to get in - your routes

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Career data: role, pay and progression profiles built for Careermash's careers engine; AI-impact estimates from Anthropic's observed AI-usage telemetry and OpenAI's AI Jobs Transition Framework. Course data: HESA / Discover Uni, including Graduate Outcomes, LEO and the National Student Survey. Apprenticeships: IfATE-published standards, approved only.

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