A career as a Physician Assistant (PA) in cardiology is one of the most dynamic and rewarding paths in modern medicine. It combines a deep passion for cardiovascular health with the opportunity for direct patient impact. But beyond the clinical satisfaction, it's also a financially lucrative specialty. For prospective and current PAs, understanding the earning potential is a critical part of career planning.
On average, a Cardiology PA can expect to earn a highly competitive salary, often ranging from $125,000 to over $165,000 annually, with top earners exceeding this range based on several key factors. This guide will break down the salary you can expect and explore the variables that will shape your compensation throughout your career.
What Does a Cardiology PA Do?
Before diving into the numbers, it's essential to understand the role. A Cardiology PA is a licensed medical professional who works collaboratively with a supervising cardiologist. They are integral members of the cardiac care team, performing a wide range of duties that can include:
- Taking comprehensive patient histories and performing physical examinations.
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests like EKGs, echocardiograms, and stress tests.
- Diagnosing and managing acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart failure.
- Prescribing medications and developing patient treatment plans.
- Assisting in advanced procedures, including cardiac catheterizations, angioplasties, and pacemaker implantations.
- Providing patient education on lifestyle modifications, disease prevention, and treatment adherence.
Their work setting can vary from fast-paced inpatient hospital rounds to focused outpatient clinics, each influencing their daily responsibilities and, as we'll see, their salary.
Average Cardiology PA Salary
The compensation for a Cardiology PA is consistently among the highest of all PA specialties. While figures vary slightly between sources, a clear picture emerges of a robust six-figure salary.
According to the 2023 AAPA Salary Report, published by the American Academy of Physician Associates, cardiology is one of the top-paying specialties. The median base salary for PAs specializing in cardiology was reported to be $145,000 annually.
Other authoritative sources provide a similar outlook:
- Salary.com reports that as of early 2024, the average salary for a Physician Assistant in Cardiology in the United States is $140,883, with a typical salary range falling between $128,767 and $152,998.
- Payscale data indicates a similar average base salary, noting that total pay can be significantly higher when factoring in bonuses and profit-sharing opportunities, which are common in this field.
This specialization premium is clear when compared to the general PA population. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported the median pay for all PAs in May 2023 was $130,020 per year, placing cardiology PAs well above the national median.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your base salary is just a starting point. Several factors can significantly increase your earning potential as a Cardiology PA.
Level of Education
While a Master's degree from an accredited PA program is the standard requirement for entry into the profession, further education can set you apart. PAs can pursue postgraduate residency or fellowship programs in cardiology. These competitive, 12-month programs provide intensive, specialized training far beyond what is covered in general PA school. Completing a fellowship not only enhances your clinical skills and confidence but also makes you a more valuable candidate, often leading to a higher starting salary and more advanced job opportunities.
Years of Experience
Experience is one of the most significant drivers of salary growth. As you accumulate years of practice, your clinical expertise, efficiency, and ability to manage complex cases increase, making you a greater asset to your employer.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): New graduates can expect to start in the range of $115,000 to $125,000, depending on the other factors listed here.
- Mid-Career (5-10 years): With solid experience, PAs can comfortably earn within the $140,000 to $160,000 range.
- Senior/Experienced (10+ years): Highly experienced Cardiology PAs, especially those in procedural roles or with leadership responsibilities, can command salaries upwards of $165,000, with some reaching closer to $200,000 with bonuses and overtime.
Geographic Location
Where you practice matters. Salaries vary dramatically across the country, largely driven by local market demand and cost of living. States and metropolitan areas with a high cost of living and high demand for healthcare providers tend to offer the highest salaries.
According to BLS data for all PAs, top-paying states include California, Washington, Alaska, and New York. A Cardiology PA in a major metropolitan area like San Francisco or New York City will likely earn a significantly higher salary than one in a rural area of the Midwest. However, it's crucial to balance a higher salary against the higher cost of living in these regions.
Company Type / Practice Setting
The environment where you work has a direct impact on your compensation structure.
- Inpatient Hospital Setting: PAs working for large hospital systems, particularly in academic medical centers, often earn higher base salaries. These roles frequently involve on-call responsibilities, weekend/night shifts, and assisting in high-acuity, procedural cases, all of which command premium pay.
- Outpatient Clinic / Private Cardiology Group: While the base salary might be slightly lower than in a hospital, private practices often offer significant potential for productivity bonuses. Your compensation may be tied to the number of patients you see or procedures you bill for, rewarding efficiency and hard work.
- Government/VA Hospitals: These positions offer competitive, stable salaries along with outstanding federal benefits, including robust retirement plans and generous paid time off.
Area of Specialization
Cardiology itself is a specialty, but within it exist highly specialized sub-fields. Your earning potential can increase if you focus on a procedural or technically complex area.
- Interventional Cardiology: PAs assisting with cardiac catheterizations, stenting, and other invasive procedures typically earn at the highest end of the spectrum due to the high-stakes nature of the work and frequent on-call duties.
- Electrophysiology (EP): Specializing in the heart's electrical system, including ablations and pacemaker/defibrillator implantation, is another high-demand, high-paying sub-specialty.
- General/Non-Invasive Cardiology: PAs who focus on clinic-based management of chronic conditions and non-invasive testing (like stress tests) are still very well-compensated, though their salaries may fall closer to the median compared to their procedural counterparts.
Job Outlook
The future for Cardiology PAs is exceptionally bright. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for all Physician Assistants will grow by 27% from 2022 to 2032, a rate that is much faster than the average for all occupations.
This growth is supercharged for cardiology specialists due to two key trends:
1. An Aging Population: As the baby boomer generation ages, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease is expected to rise, increasing the demand for cardiac care providers.
2. A Focus on Team-Based Care: Healthcare systems increasingly rely on PAs to provide high-quality, cost-effective care, freeing up cardiologists to focus on the most complex cases.
This high demand and projected growth create a stable and secure career path with excellent long-term prospects.
Conclusion
Choosing to specialize in cardiology as a Physician Assistant is a decision that leads to a professionally and financially rewarding career. With a median salary well above the national PA average and a typical range of $125,000 to $165,000+, it stands out as a premier specialty.
Your ultimate earning potential is in your hands, shaped by your commitment to ongoing education, the experience you gain, and the strategic choices you make regarding your location, practice setting, and sub-specialty. For those with a dedication to tackling heart disease and a desire for a challenging, high-impact career, the path of a Cardiology PA offers a future that is both prosperous and profoundly meaningful.