Thoracic Surgeon

Duties and Responsibilities: According to the Cardiothoracic Surgery Network there are four specialties of cardiothoracic surgery: cardio (involving the heart and major vessels), endovascular (less invasive surgical procedures that use the major vessels and radiology to perform operations), congenital (surgical procedures on inherited conditions), and thoracic (surgeries performed on the organs and structures located in the chest and throat). In addition to these specialties, cardiothoracic surgeons can further focus on surgically treating illnesses in children or adults.

Salary: 350,000

Education: According to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, there are four steps to becoming a general thoracic surgeon: completion of any four-year degree (provided the coursework meets the prerequisites for entrance into medical school), four years in medical school, five years in a surgical residency program, and two to three years of advanced training in cardiothoracic surgery.