Anesthesia Assistant Salary Guide

Anesthesia assistants are in high demand and are well-compensated.

What Salary Can I Earn as an Anesthesia Assistant?

Working as an anesthesia assistant means collaborating with other anesthesia care team members to ensure the patient’s well-being before, during, and after surgical procedures.

It is a rewarding career path with an average annual salary of $278,742, according to Zippia. This rate is an average of about $134.01 per hour.

Anesthesia assistants can earn more depending on the state, city, and company/industry they choose to work in. Work experience will also determine how much they make. Entry-level anesthesia assistants make about $148,000, while more experienced anesthesia assistants make upwards of $500,000 annually.

Which US Cities Pay Anesthesia Assistants the Most?

The city you work in can influence how much you earn. Finding a city above the national average in remuneration can make a difference. Here are the top-paying cities for anesthesia assistants:

  1. Danvers, MA – $322,579
  2. Gainesville, FL – $320,347
  3. Albany, GA – $315,343
  4. Mason City, IA – $274,706
  5. Neptune, NJ – $260,931
  6. Duluth, MN – $256,469
  7. Charlotte, NC – $229,486
  8. Saint Louis, MO – $227,255
  9. Mobile, AL – $225,649
  10. Morgantown, WV – $209,746

Which US States Pay Anesthesia Assistants the Most?

The state you work in has a significant influence on your earnings. While you should also consider the cost of living against the earnings and your financial commitments, finding a job in a state that supports your desired lifestyle is great.

Michigan ranks as the top-paying state for anesthesia assistants, according to Zippia. Here’s a breakdown of the average annual salaries for the top ten best-paying states:

  1. Michigan – $208,564
  2. Oklahoma – $204,083
  3. Nevada – $203,885
  4. New Mexico – $203,572
  5. Arkansas – $203,266
  6. Tennessee – $203,285
  7. Vermont – $202,912
  8. District of Columbia – $202,873
  9. Delaware – $202,218
  10. Georgia – $201,778

Anesthesia assistants need a license to practice in certain states, including Alabama, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Vermont.

States like Colorado, Michigan, New Hampshire, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin allow you to work as an anesthesia assistant only through physician delegation.

For all the other states, you can work as an anesthesia assistant when working under the federal government under the Department of Defense (TRICARE program) and the Department of Veteran Affairs.

How Does the Salary of Anesthesia Assistants Compare to Other Fields in the Anesthesia Profession?

Anesthesia assistant is just one of the anesthesia career paths you can pursue. Below are alternative career paths and how their salaries compare to the anesthesia assistant’s salary. The salaries depend on the position, some being higher while others are lower.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist – Annual average salary $216,435

Being a certified registered nurse anesthetist is a great career path for registered nurses who want to advance in their careers. CRNAs across most US states have autonomy over their work. But they collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, and physicians in delivering the best care for patients receiving anesthesia.

Certified registered nurse anesthetists earn between $69,086 to $348,788, depending on location. The national average for this position is $216,435 annually.

Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant – Annual average salary $133,866

Certified anesthesiologist assistants (CAAs) work under the guidance of licensed anesthesiologists. They develop and implement anesthesia care plans for surgical patients. To become a CAA, you must have a master’s degree and training in anesthesiology care, including administering and monitoring patients on anesthesia.

You may also handle laboratory work. As a certified anesthesiologist assistant, you could earn an average of $133,866 annually. Depending on your location, you could make about $60,000 on the lower end to $294,000 on the higher end. 

Anesthesia Technician – Annual average salary of $39,640

Anesthesia technicians work as part of a facility’s anesthesia team, ensuring the facility has the required anesthetic solutions and equipment. They also monitor patients before anesthesia administration to check for allergies and after the administration to ensure the patient doesn’t suffer adverse effects.

The education requirements for becoming an anesthesia technician are less stringent than those of anesthesia assistants. An anesthesia technician can successfully work with a high school diploma or a college degree. Anesthesia technicians make between $30,000 and $52,000 every year.

How Do I Advance My Anesthesia Assistant Career and Earn More?  

According to Zippia, anesthesia assistant jobs could grow by 31% up to 2028 due to the growing demand for qualified anesthesia professionals.

Becoming an anesthesia assistant starts with obtaining a four-year bachelor’s degree, especially one that leans towards biology, math, physics, and chemistry. After earning your bachelor’s, pursue a master’s degree program for anesthesia assistants.

After completing your education, you must complete the licensing exams to become a licensed anesthesia assistant.

You can start with entry-level positions as you build your skills, expertise, and resume. You could increase your anesthesia assistant salary by looking for higher-paying positions near you. You can also move to a well-paying city or state to increase your income.

However, consider the costs of living and taxation laws in the state you’re moving into to determine whether the move is financially sound.

Getting certifications and updating your education is also a great initiative to keep you earning more. Anesthesia assistants must complete continuing medical education every two years and pass an examination by the National Board of Medical Examiners to demonstrate their qualifications.

It is also a good idea to constantly check the market pay in your state. That way, you can negotiate your anesthesia assistant’s salary to get better pay.