Anesthesiologist Job Description (outlook)

An anesthesiologist is a medical doctor specializing in the care of patients during surgery including the management of anesthesia for surgical, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures. Prior to surgery, the anesthesiologist must review the patient’s medical records, assess their risk of anesthesia, monitor, and adjust the amount of anesthesia during the surgery, and oversee their recovery from the anesthesia.

The demand for healthcare services, including surgery, is expected to grow as the population ages, which contributes to the demand for anesthesiologists. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for anesthesiologists is expected to grow by 3% from 2022 to 2032. The growth is primarily driven by the need to replace retiring anesthesiologists or those who leave the profession.

Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Anesthesiologist Jobs in the US

Specific salary data varies by state and over time. The salary for an anesthesiologist is influenced by the demand for the specialty, cost of living, and regional economic conditions. According to Zippia, the highest and lowest paying states for anesthesiologists are as follows:

Top 5 Highest Paying States for Anesthesiologists:

  1. North Dakota
  2. Wisconsin
  3. Alaska
  4. West Virginia
  5. Michigan

Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Anesthesiologists:

  1. Hawaii
  2. Florida
  3. Rhode Island
  4. Delaware
  5. Massachusetts

The state data does vary between resources.

Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Salary Median

Chart from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/anesthesiologist/#salary-history-line-chart


** Chart from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/anesthesiologist/#salary-history-line-chart

Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average salary

The median salary for an anesthesiologist in the U.S. is influenced by their experience, location, and specialization. Entry-level salaries for those just starting their careers may be lower than the median and based on demand for their specialty. The salary of an anesthesiologist in the US ranges from $373,900 and $489,200 with an entry salary of $276,942. Traveling anesthesiologists may receive a higher hourly rate because of their temporary job status. Non-traveling anesthesiologists who working in a permanent hospital position may have variations in salary based on specialization, geographic location, type of healthcare institution, and expertise level.

Average Anesthesiologist Salary by State (for non-traveling doctors)

StateAnnual SalaryWeekly SalaryHourly Wage
Alabama$201,964$3,884$97.10
Alaska$240,061$4,617$115.41
Arizona$200,830$3,862$96.55
Arkansas$202,418$3,892$97.32
California$206,588$3,973$99.32
Colorado$217,948$4,191$104.78
Connecticut$202,831$3,900$97.51
Delaware$200,588$3,857$96.44
Florida$174,329$3,352$83.81
Georgia$197,668$3,801$95.03
Hawaii$118,989$2,288$57.21
Idaho$219,866$4,228$105.70
Illinois$215,441$4,143$103.58
Indiana$214,615$4,127$103.18
Iowa$216,311$4,159$104.00
Kansas$200,999$3,865$96.63
Kentucky$204,878$3,940$98.50
Louisiana$194,891$3,748$93.70
Maine$210,816$4,054$101.35
Maryland$209,813$4,035$100.87
Massachusetts$196,970$3,788$94.70
Michigan$216,964$4,172$104.31
Minnesota$228,513$4,394$109.86
Mississippi$203,363$3,911$97.77
Missouri$217,353$4,180$104.50
Montana$213,382$4,104$102.59
Nebraska$220,931$4,249$106.22
Nevada$201,235$3,870$96.75
New Hampshire$197,823$3,804$95.11
New Jersey$204,618$3,935$98.37
New Mexico$209,897$4,036$100.91
New York$204,653$3,936$98.39
North Carolina$208,871$4,017$100.42
North Dakota$230,942$4,441$111.03
Ohio$215,114$4,137$103.42
Oklahoma$207,868$3,997$99.94
Oregon$207,261$3,986$99.64
Pennsylvania$207,338$3,987$99.68
Rhode Island$198,224$3,812$95.30
South Carolina$195,667$3,763$94.07
South Dakota$211,306$4,064$101.59
Tennessee$208,678$4,013$100.33
Texas$198,764$3,822$95.56
Utah$217,363$4,180$104.50
Vermont$216,025$4,154$103.86
Virginia$205,817$3,958$98.95
Washington$212,149$4,080$101.99
West Virginia$216,853$4,170$104.26
Wisconsin$224,194$4,311$107.79
Wyoming$221,511$4,260$106.50
**Data from Zippia

Average Anesthesiologist Job Salary by State (for traveling doctors)

StateAnnual SalaryWeekly SalaryHourly Wage
Alabama (Birmingham)$368,517$7,087$177
Alaska (Juneau)$416,695$8,013$200
Arizona (Phoenix)$390,427$7,508$188
Arkansas (Little Rock)$377,150$7,252$181
California (San Francisco)$463,275$8,909$222
Colorado (Boulder)$407,803$7,842$196
Connecticut (Hartford)$396,642$7,628$190
Delaware (Dover)$392,996$7,557$189
Florida (Miami)$376,088$7,232$180
Georgia (Atlanta)$378,138$7,272$182
Hawaii (Honolulu)$388,345$7,468$187
Idaho (Boise)$374,246$7,197$180
Illinois (Chicago)$405,068$7,790$195
Indiana (Indianapolis)$375,861$7,228$180
Iowa (Des Moines)$383,7477,380$184
Kansas (Topeka)$370,052$7,116$178
Kentucky (Lexington)$390,821$7,516$188
Louisiana (New Orleans)$377,630$7,262$182
Maine (Portland)$402,304$7,737$193
Maryland (Annapolis)$389,253$7,486$187
Massachusetts (Boston)$427,189$8,215$205
Michigan (Detroit)$389,268$7,486$187
Minnesota (St Paul)$397,690$7,648$191
Mississippi (Jackson)$342,657$6,590$165
Missouri (Jefferson City)$372,701$7,167$179
Montana (Helena)$372,631$7,166$179
Nebraska (Lincoln)$342,338$6,583$165
Nevada (Carson City)$385,104$7,405$185
New Hampshire (Concord)$395,800$7,611$190
New Jersey (Trenton)$394,299$7,773$194
New Mexico (Santa Fe)$385,991$7,422$186
New York (Manhattan)$433,962$8,345$208
North Carolina (Charlotte)$384,059$7,386$185
North Dakota (Bismarck)$391,771$7,534$188
Ohio (Columbus)$379,806$7,304$183
Oklahoma (OK City)$365,279$7,024$176
Oregon (Portland)$417,006$8,019$200
Pennsylvania (Philadelphia)$396,788$7,630$191
Rhode Island (Providence)$397,238$7,639$191
South Carolina (Charleston)$367,977$7,076$177
South Dakota (Pierre)$391,811$7,534$188
Tennessee (Nashville)$379,804$7,304$182
Texas (Austin)$389,758$7,495$187
Utah (Salt Lake City)$380,518$7,318$183
Vermont (Montpelier)$397,525$7,645$191
Virginia (Richmond)$389,137$7,483$187
Washington (Spokane)$397,588$7,646$191
West Virginia (Charleston)$382,155$7,349$184
Wisconsin (Green Bay)$382,464$7,355$184
Wyoming (Cheyenne)$372,616$7,165$179
Note: From ZipRecruiter “Traveling Anesthesiologist” according to city data.

What is the average incentive bonus for an Anesthesiologist Job?

According to Beckers, the average bonus for an anesthesiologist is $68,000. Many anesthesiologists earn bonuses based on performance metrics, such as patient satisfaction, efficiency, and outcomes. In a high-demand areas or underserved regions, hospitals and medical groups may offer a signing bonus to an anesthesiologist. Employers may also offer a retention bonus, which are paid out after the anesthesiologist has remained with the system for a certain time period. A productivity bonus may be part of the compensation package and is tied to the number of procedures performed or hours worked. Lastly, in some private or group practices, the anesthesiologist may receive a share of the profits or have an opportunity to buy into the practice as a partner to increase their income.

Employed vs. self-employed Anesthesiologist Job

Salaries vary between employed and self-employed anesthesiologists. Employed physicians have a stable income, health insurance, retirement plans, a CME allowance, and paid time off. They have less financial risk and administrative responsibilities. An employed anesthesiologist typically works for a hospital system. A self-employed anesthesiologist has the potential for higher earnings, increased flexibility, but must find jobs, and may/may not be provided with healthcare or a retirement plan.

How to do an effective Anesthesiologist job search

It is easy to find an anesthesiologist position with PRNHealthcare. Find the “physicians” link at the top of our website. Use the position job search bar by searching “I am a MD” and select the specialty, “Anesthesiology.” Finally, use the location bar to select your state and city of choice.

Most common benefits for an Anesthesiologist

Being an Anesthesiologist comes with both professional and personal benefits including:

  • Career Stability- The demand for anesthesiologists is expected to grow so finding a job will be easy.
  • Competitive Salary- Anesthesiologists are among the highest-paid medical professionals.
  • Continuous Learning- The field of anesthesiology is always changing so many opportunities for learning and professional growth are available through continuing medical education (CME) or specialization in pediatric anesthesia or cardiac anesthesia.
  • Predictable Hours- Compared to other physicians, anesthesiologists have more predictable hours especially if they work in outpatient surgical centers or private practices for a better work-life balance.​
  • Team Collaboration- Anesthesiologists often work closely with other medical professionals, including surgeons, nurses, and an anesthesia team to coordinate patient care.
  • Clinical Autonomy- Anesthesiologists play a vital role in caring for patients by making key decisions about anesthesia and patient safety.
  • Flexible Schedules- Many anesthesiologists have a flexible work schedule, including the option for part-time work which may improve their quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anesthesiology

What is the average salary for an Anesthesiologist?

The average salary can vary based on experience, location, and education. Anesthesiologists are among the highest-paid medical specialists and earn an average of $271,440 a year. According to Medscape’s 2023 Physician Compensation Report, their annual salary places them in the upper tier of medical professionals similar to surgeons and radiologists.

What factors influence the salary of an Anesthesiologist?

Experience, geographic location, type of practice, sub specialization, and their employment setting are all factors that influence an anesthesiologist’s salary.

Do anesthesiologists receive bonuses in addition to their salaries?

Yes, anesthesiologists often receive various bonuses and incentives including performance bonuses, signing bonuses, retention bonuses, and productivity bonuses.

What is the salary outlook for anesthesiologist in the future?

As the population ages and the incidence of surgical procedures increases, there is likely to be an increase in the demand for services leading to a stable or an increase in anesthesiologist salaries.

What is the earning potential for an anesthesiologist who engage in research or teaching?

Anesthesiologists working in academic settings generally earn less in base salary compared to those in a clinical role. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the median salary for an academic anesthesiologist can range from $150,000 to $250,000 depending on their academic rank. Anesthesiologists who are involved in research may earn similar salaries, dependent on grants and funding availability.