2026 CT Compensation Snapshot

An 8-page market brief on cardiothoracic compensation. It sets out current benchmarks with the evidence level behind each one, role-specific context across the CT team, the full architecture of a complete offer, worksheets for building or comparing one, and source notes.

Who it is for

Programs building an offer and clinicians evaluating one

What it helps you evaluate

Sections in this document

Current benchmarks

Compensation ranges across the cardiothoracic team, presented with the context needed to use them properly.

Evidence levels

How firmly each range is supported, so numbers are weighted rather than treated as equally certain.

Role-specific context

What moves compensation for surgeons, APPs, perfusionists, OR nursing, first assists, and surgical techs.

Complete-offer architecture

Sign-on, retention, productivity, call pay, loan repayment, relocation, and benefits, viewed as one package.

Worksheets

Structured worksheets for building an offer or comparing one against the market.

Source notes

Where the figures come from and what to verify before relying on them in a live negotiation.

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