A cardiologist diagnoses and treats diseases of the heart and blood vessels. This is a physician specialty that requires medical school, specialized training, and a deep commitment to science. You'll need strong investigative skills and years of education beyond high school.
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Cardiologists examine patients with heart and cardiovascular conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests like electrocardiograms and echocardiograms, and prescribe medications or recommend procedures. You'll evaluate chest pain, manage hypertension and arrhythmias, and work with patients on long-term heart health. The role involves staying current with the latest cardiology research and treatment advances. You may perform catheterizations, manage acute cardiac events, or specialize further in areas like interventional cardiology or heart failure.
Core work activities
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Cardiologists earn a median of $496,010 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 600 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Becoming a cardiologist requires medical school after earning your bachelor's degree, followed by a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in cardiology. This path typically takes over a decade of education and training beyond high school. You'll need to pass medical licensing exams and meet state requirements. Many cardiologists pursue additional certifications in specialized areas. Throughout your training, you'll work under experienced physicians who mentor you through increasingly complex cases and responsibilities.
The path to cardiology involves medical school, residency, and fellowship training. The timeline and specific requirements can vary, so if you're exploring this specialty, Pathly can map the cardiologist path that fits you and turn it into a step-by-step plan with your counselor in the loop.
You do not need a license to work as a cardiologist, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're drawn to investigative work, solving complex medical problems, and understanding how the body's systems function. You enjoy research, analysis, and applying scientific knowledge to patient care.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).