Anesthesiologist Salary: How Much Do They Really Make?
Anesthesiologists are physicians who administer anesthesia and manage pain during surgical procedures, childbirth, and other medical interventions. They monitor patients' vital functions, adjust anesthesia levels, and manage complications. Anesthesiologists also specialize in critical care medicine and chronic pain management.
Anesthesiologist Salary by Experience Level
Anesthesiologist Salary by State (Top 10)
Anesthesiologist Salary by City (Top 10 Metros)
How to Become a Anesthesiologist
Becoming an anesthesiologist requires completing a bachelor's degree (four years), medical school (four years), and then an anesthesiology residency (four years). Some anesthesiologists also complete a one-year transitional or preliminary internship year before their residency, bringing the post-medical school training to five years.
During medical school, students take courses in anatomy, pharmacology, physiology, and clinical medicine. In the anesthesiology residency, training covers all aspects of perioperative care, including general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, obstetric anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, and critical care medicine.
After completing residency, many anesthesiologists pursue fellowship training in a subspecialty such as cardiac anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, pain medicine, critical care medicine, or regional anesthesia. Fellowships add one year of training and can enhance career opportunities and earning potential.
Board certification from the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) is standard for practicing anesthesiologists. This involves passing both written and oral examinations. Maintaining certification requires ongoing continuing medical education, periodic exams, and practice quality improvement activities.
Job Outlook for Anesthesiologists
3% growth — About as fast as averageThe job outlook for anesthesiologists is stable, with about 3% growth projected. The demand for anesthesia services continues as the number of surgical procedures increases with an aging population. Anesthesiologists are also needed for non-surgical procedures like endoscopies and pain management.
The anesthesiology job market is influenced by the growing use of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), who provide anesthesia under the supervision of anesthesiologists or independently in some states. The anesthesia care team model, where anesthesiologists supervise CRNAs, remains the dominant practice pattern in most hospitals.
Anesthesiologists who subspecialize in pain management, cardiac anesthesia, or critical care medicine may have additional career opportunities. The growing field of chronic pain management, in particular, is creating new practice opportunities for anesthesiologists outside the traditional operating room setting.