Anesthesiologist Salary Guide

As an anesthesiologist, you could earn an average of $331,190 annually. Your salary might be higher or lower depending on your location and experience. This anesthesiologist salary guide breaks down what you can expect to make in this field. See also our guide to anesthesiologist shortages across the US.

What Salary Can I Expect as an Anesthesiologist?

Anesthesiologists play a critical role in surgical and critical care. They receive extensive training to monitor patients, prepare them for surgery, administer the correct doses of anesthesia during surgery, and monitor the patient as they recover from the effects of anesthesia.

Once you meet the education and licensing requirements, you can secure an entry-level position in hospitals, clinics, surgical centers, medical institutions, academic institutions, or private physician offices.

Entry-level anesthesiologists earn an annual average of $83,826. Your earnings will increase as your experience and skills improve. Here’s a breakdown of the average salary growth based on experience:

  • Less than one year: $271,829
  • 1-4 years: $297,768
  • 5-9 years: $299,031
  • 10-19 years: $333,496
  • 20+ years: $349,102

In addition to experience, an anesthesiologist’s salary varies depending on the city, state, subspecialty, and industry they work in.

Specialty hospitals are the best-paying sector for anesthesiologists, followed closely by outpatient care centers. General hospitals and dentist offices rank among the lower-paying sectors for anesthesiologists.

Which US Cities Pay Anesthesiologists the Most?

You can increase your income as an anesthesiologist by working in a city with a high median wage. Here are the top-paying cities for anesthesiologists and the corresponding annual average salary:

  1. Atkinson, Nebraska – $415,829
  2. San Jose, California – $431,547
  3. Frankston, Texas – $427,354
  4. Seattle, Washington – $417,764
  5. Inverness, California – $416,870
  6. Barnstable Town, Massachusetts – $413,674
  7. Concord, California – $411,412
  8. Wasilla, Alaska – $401,759
  9. Dimondale, Michigan – $400,033
  10. Santa Rosa, California – $398,985

When comparing the best city to work in, consider other factors such as the cost of living, taxation requirements, and the benefits attached to your position.

What US States Pay Anesthesiologists the Most?

Some states have higher salaries for anesthesiologists. The top-paying states include:

  1. Wyoming – $371,606 annually
  2. Arizona – $369,242 annually
  3. Montana – $366,574 annually
  4. Hawaii – $360,873 annually
  5. Tennessee -$360,368 annually
  6. Indiana – $359,778 annually
  7. Massachusetts – $358,882 annually
  8. New Jersey – $356,405 annually
  9. Nevada – $355,108 annually
  10. Minnesota – $350,191 annually

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

Anesthesiology deals with pain management before, during, and after surgical procedures. This broad field allows you to pursue a subset of anesthesiology to work in specific healthcare settings.

Regardless of your choice, you must complete a bachelor’s degree, a medical school program, an anesthesiology residency, and licensing exams. The most popular and well-paying subsets include:

Obstetric Anesthesiologist – $220,643

Obstetric anesthesiologists work with patients during labor and cesarean delivery. This role is one of the highest-paying subspecialties of anesthesiology, with a salary potential of between $217,000 and $582,000.

Neuro-anesthesiology – $226,823

Neuro anesthesiologists assist in caring for patients before and after brain and spinal surgeries. These surgeries are delicate, and working in this field requires specialized skills and knowledge.

Neuro-anesthesiologists make an average of $226,823 annually. You could earn more than $400,000 as a neuro-anesthesiologist, depending on your location, skill level, and experience.

Cardiac Anesthesiologist – $341,428

Cardiac anesthesiologists care for patients before, during, and after heart surgery or other surgeries in the chest cavity. The national average for a cardiac anesthesiologist salary is $341,428 annually and can be as high as $400,500.

Pediatric anesthesiologists – $308,504

Pediatric anesthesiologists work with infants and children before, during, and after surgical procedures. They make an average annual salary of $308,503, with the 90th percentile earning $400,000 yearly.

Critical Care Anesthesiologists – $425,091

Critical care anesthesiologists work in the intensive care unit to provide pain management and anesthesia services. It is one of the highest-paying, with an average of $425,091. 

Locum Anesthesiologist – $285,566

Locum anesthesiologists fill in roles temporarily when a company has shortages. The job works well for people who move a lot and enjoy working temporarily across various organizations and healthcare settings. A locum anesthesiologist earns an average of $285,566 per year.

Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse anesthetists support patients receiving and recovering from anesthesia. As a nurse anesthetist, you work in emergency rooms, cardiac care units, intensive care units, operating rooms, and outpatient surgical clinics. The average salary is $171,925 annually.

How Do I Advance My Anesthesiologist Career and Earn More?

According to the BLS, the anesthesiology career path will likely grow by 3% by 2030. This growth means the potential to grow your salary.

One way to grow your earnings is by moving cities. Moving to a higher-paying city is a strategy you can employ at any stage of your career, from an entry-level to a more advanced position.

If you decide to take this path, consider the federal, state, and local taxes. Moreover, you’ll want to factor in the cost of living in the intended town or state to see if the move is worthwhile.

Alternatively, you could branch into a higher-paying anesthesiology subspecialty to tap into a higher earning potential. Obstetrical anesthesiology is one of the highest-paying specialties of anesthesiology, as its salary exceeds $300,000 for entry-level positions.

Fellowships are a good way to earn specialized skills that open up a pathway to higher-paying roles. Publishing innovative research also improves your professional resume and gives you an edge when negotiating a higher salary.

Keeping your education up-to-date is another way to increase your income. It is a requirement that all practicing anesthesiologists earn continuing education certifications to remain licensed professionals.

Developing good negotiation skills can also be advantageous. Anesthesiologists, even those working in the same city with the same experience, may earn differently depending on how you approach negotiations.