This is still a big sum of money. Yes, these surgeons make over half a million dollars every year. Many factors can contribute to the annual incomes of cardiothoracic surgeons. These factors may include experience, education, geographic location, and type of employment. States vary surgdon how much they pay their cardiothoracic surgeons. Reasons for this may include demand for the surgeries performed, as well as standards of living within that state. The states with the highest reported incomes for these surgeons are Illinois and Pennsylvania. Qn is also important. Doctors with Ph. Type of employment is also extremely important.