How much do anesthesiologists make per year?

Anesthesiologists make an average of $437,000 per year according to 2026 data. The salary range is wide: bottom 10% earn ~$290,000, median is $393,000-$444,000, and top 10% exceed $800,000. Subspecialists like cardiac anesthesiologists earn $541,000-$600,000+.

How much do entry-level anesthesiologists make?

Entry-level anesthesiologists (0-4 years experience) make $323,000-$330,000 per year according to PayScale and physician compensation surveys. This is still higher than most other specialties' starting salaries. Private practice offers higher starting pay ($350K-$380K) compared to hospital-employed positions ($310K-$340K).

💊 2026 COMPREHENSIVE SALARY GUIDE

Anesthesiologist Salary 2026:
$437K–$560K+ Average

Q: How much do anesthesiologists make per hour?

Anesthesiologists make approximately $210 per hourbased on the average annual salary of $437,000 and a standard 2,080-hour work year. However, many work fewer clinical hours (40-50 hours/week) with additional call coverage, which can push the effective hourly rate to $250-$300/hour

Q: What state pays anesthesiologists the most?

California pays the most at $509,348/year, followed by Alaska ($487,781) and Washington ($476,850). However, after adjusting for cost of living and state taxes, Texas, Florida, and Nevada (no state income tax) often provide better take-home compensation despite lower gross salaries.

Q: Can anesthesiologists make $1 million a year?

Yes, but it's rare. Anesthesiologists earning $1M+ are typically: (1) private practice partners in high-demand markets, (2) subspecialists (cardiac/pediatric) with extensive call coverage, (3) practice owners with multiple income streams, or (4) working 70-80 hour weeks with extensive overtime. Most top earners ($800K-$900K) are senior partners in large private groups.

Q: Is anesthesiology worth the investment?

Financially, absolutely. Despite $250K average med school debt and 12 years of training, anesthesiologists: (1) start at $323K, (2) reach $437K average quickly, (3) can pay off debt in 5-7 years aggressively, (4) achieve millionaire status by age 40-45, and (5) retire comfortably with $5M-$10M+ net worth. Plus excellent lifestyle compared to surgery.

Q: Do anesthesiologists make more than surgeons?

It depends on the surgical specialty. Anesthesiologists ($437K) earn more than general surgeons ($402K) but less than neurosurgeons ($788K) and orthopedic surgeons ($634K). However, anesthesiologists typically work fewer hours and have better work-life balance than most surgical specialties.

Q: What is the gender pay gap for anesthesiologists?

Unfortunately, a significant gender pay gap exists. According to Medscape 2026 data, male anesthesiologists earn 13-14% more than female peers at the same career stage. Among independent practitioners, men average $366,461 vs women at $314,844 (a $51,617 gap). In employed roles, men earn $312,602 vs women at $272,806 (a $39,796 gap).

Q: How long does it take to become an anesthesiologist?

It takes 12 years after high school to become a practicing anesthesiologist: 4 years undergrad + 4 years medical school + 4 years anesthesiology residency = 12 years total. Adding an optional 1-year fellowship (cardiac, pediatric, etc.) extends this to 13 years. You'll start earning a full physician salary at age 30-32.

Complete breakdown of anesthesiologist salary by experience, state, subspecialty, and practice setting in 2026. Discover why anesthesiologists rank among the highest-paid physicians with verified data from BLS, Salary.com, PayScale, and SalaryDr physician submissions.

💰 Average Anesthesiologist Salary 2026

$437,000

Range: $323,000 – $800,000+ annually

$210/hr

Hourly Rate

$36.4K

Monthly

Top 3

Specialty Rank

12-14 yrs

Training

Multiple Data Sources for Maximum Accuracy

This anesthesiologist salary guide synthesizes 2025-2026 data from multiple authoritative sources: Salary.com ($437,000 median), SalaryDr ($535,000 median from 116 verified physician submissions), PayScale ($349,293 average), Marit Health ($444,468 total comp), and ZipRecruiter ($368,859). We reconcile these sources to provide the most comprehensive anesthesiologist salary analysis available. For this guide, we use $437,000 as the baseline average anesthesiologist salary, as it represents the middle ground across all major datasets.

What is the Anesthesiologist Salary in 2026?

The anesthesiologist salary varies by data source, but comprehensive analysis shows the average anesthesiologist salary in 2026 is approximately $437,000 per year. Here’s what different authoritative sources report:

Salary.com: $437,000/year (median, most comprehensive employer data)
SalaryDr: $535,000/year (median from 116 verified physician submissions)
Marit Health: $444,468/year (average total compensation, July 2025)
ZipRecruiter: $368,859/year (national average)
PayScale: $349,293/year (based on 412 salary profiles)
US News: $336,640/year (2024 average)
Research.com: $339,470/year (national median)

Why the variation? Sources differ based on methodology: SalaryDr captures private practice physicians reporting higher compensation, while conservative estimates like BLS cap at $239/hour (undercount). For this guide, $437,000 represents the most reliable average anesthesiologist salary for 2026.

Complete Anesthesiologist Salary Breakdown 2026

Here’s what an anesthesiologist salary of $437,000 looks like across every time period:

⏰

Per Hour

$210

📅

Per Day (8 hrs)

$1,680

📆

Per Week

$8,404

🗓️

Bi-Weekly

$16,808

💰

Per Month

$36,417

🏆

Per Year

$437K

Anesthesiologist Salary Range: $290K – $800K+

The anesthesiologist salary range is enormous. The bottom 10% earn approximately $290,000 (typically new graduates in lower-paying states or academic settings). The median is $437,000, while the top 10% exceed $800,000 annually (usually private practice cardiac/pediatric anesthesiologists in high-demand markets or those with significant ownership stakes). This 175%+ difference between bottom and top earners reflects experience, location, subspecialty, and practice type.

Anesthesiologist Salary by Experience Level

Your anesthesiologist salary grows significantly with experience. Based on PayScale 2025-2026 data:

Experience Level	Years	Average Salary	Hourly Rate
Entry-Level	0-4 years	$323,000 – $330,000	$155 – $159/hr
Early Career	5-9 years	$340,000 – $380,000	$163 – $183/hr
Mid-Career	10-19 years	$375,000 – $450,000	$180 – $216/hr
Experienced	20+ years	$378,000 – $600,000+	$182 – $288+/hr

Key Insight: The anesthesiologist salary grows approximately $47,000 (14.5%) from entry-level to 20+ years of experience. However, the biggest salary jumps happen when transitioning to private practice partnerships (typically years 5-10) rather than simply accumulating years of experience.

Anesthesiologist Salary by State: Highest-Paying Locations

Geographic location dramatically affects anesthesiologist salary. Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024 and ZipRecruiter data, here are the top 10 highest-paying states:

Rank	State	Annual Salary	Hourly Rate
🥇 1	California	$509,348	$245/hr
🥈 2	Alaska	$487,781	$234/hr
🥉 3	Washington	$476,850	$229/hr
4	New York	$465,920	$224/hr
5	Massachusetts	$462,450	$222/hr
6	Oregon	$458,990	$221/hr
7	Connecticut	$455,120	$219/hr
8	New Jersey	$451,250	$217/hr
9	Rhode Island	$447,380	$215/hr
10	Delaware	$443,510	$213/hr

Cost of Living vs Anesthesiologist Salary

While California offers the highest anesthesiologist salary at $509,348, it has the highest cost of living and 13.3% top state income tax. States like Washington ($476,850) and Alaska ($487,781) have zero state income tax, meaning significantly higher take-home pay. An anesthesiologist earning $420,000 in Texas (0% state tax) often has more purchasing power than one earning $509,000 in California after taxes and cost of living adjustments.

Anesthesiologist Salary by Subspecialty

Subspecialization significantly impacts anesthesiologist salary. Based on Marit Health physician compensation data:

Subspecialty	Average Salary	Premium
Cardiac Anesthesiology	$541,230 – $600,000+	+$104K (+24%)
Obstetric Anesthesiology	$445,090 – $474,000	+$37K (+9%)
Pediatric Anesthesiology	$425,000 – $478,200	+$41K (+10%)
Pain Management	$462,393 – $500,000	+$63K (+14%)
Critical Care	$420,000 – $460,000	+$23K (+5%)
General Anesthesia	$393,353 – $437,000	Baseline

Highest ROI: Cardiac Anesthesiology

Cardiac anesthesiology offers the highest anesthesiologist salary at $541,000-$600,000+ with just 1 year of fellowship training after residency. The $100K-$150K salary premium makes it one of the best ROI subspecialties in medicine. Private practice cardiac anesthesiologists in major metro areas can exceed $700,000 annually.

Anesthesiologist Salary by Practice Setting

Where you work dramatically affects your anesthesiologist salary:

Practice Setting	Average Salary	Pros	Cons
Private Practice (Partnership)	$500,000 – $700,000+	Highest pay, autonomy, profit-sharing	Call burden, business risk, longer hours
Medical Group (Employed)	$461,500	Less admin, better hours, stability	Lower comp than partnership
Hospital/Health System	$446,500	Benefits, retirement, predictable	Lower pay, less autonomy
Academic/Teaching	$450,000	Research, teaching, prestige	Lower pay, administrative burden
Surgery Center (Outpatient)	$380,000 – $480,000	Better hours, no nights, lifestyle	Lower complexity, moderate pay
Locum Tenens (Contract)	$250,000 – $400,000	Flexibility, travel, short-term	No benefits, unstable, lower hourly

Key Finding: The anesthesiologist salary in private practice partnerships ($500K-$700K+) is $100,000-$200,000 higher than hospital-employed positions. The trade-off: more call burden, business risk, and administrative responsibilities.

How Does Anesthesiologist Salary Compare to Other Physicians?

The anesthesiologist salary ranks among the top 3-5 medical specialties. Here’s how it compares:

🧠 Neurosurgery $788,313

🦴 Orthopedic Surgery $633,620

💊 Anesthesiology $437,000

❤️ Cardiology $490,000

🔬 Radiology $437,000

👨‍⚕️ Family Medicine $236,000

Key Takeaway: Anesthesiologist salary ($437,000) ranks 3rd-5th among all physician specialties, earning significantly more than primary care ($236,000-$264,000) and offering better lifestyle than surgery.

How to Become an Anesthesiologist (Complete Education Path)

Becoming an anesthesiologist requires 12-14 years of education and training after high school. Here’s the complete pathway to earning an anesthesiologist salary:

Step 1: Bachelor’s Degree (4 Years)

Complete a 4-year undergraduate degree with pre-medical coursework (biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, biochemistry). Maintain a competitive GPA (3.7+ for med school).

Step 2: Medical School (4 Years)

Earn your MD or DO degree from an accredited medical school. Years 1-2 focus on classroom learning. Years 3-4 involve clinical rotations.

Step 3: Anesthesiology Residency (4 Years)

PGY-1 (Internship): General clinical training
PGY-2 through PGY-4: Anesthesia-specific training
Salary during residency: $68,000 (Year 1) to ~$75,000 (Year 4)

Step 4: Board Certification

Pass the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) written and oral exams to become board-certified.

Step 5: Fellowship (Optional, 1 Year)

Subspecialize in cardiac, pediatric, obstetric, critical care, or pain management. Fellowship adds 1 year but increases anesthesiologist salary by $50K-$150K.

Total Investment: 12 Years, $200K-$400K

Time: 12-14 years after high school (4 undergrad + 4 med school + 4 residency + optional 1-2 year fellowship). Cost: $200,000-$400,000 in student loans (average med school debt is $250,000). ROI: With starting anesthesiologist salary of $323,000 and career average of $437,000, anesthesiologists typically pay off loans within 5-7 years and achieve millionaire status by age 40-45.

Anesthesiologist Salary: Most Asked Questions (2026)

How much does an anesthesiologist make per year? ▶

Anesthesiologists make an average of $437,000 per year according to 2025-2026 data from Salary.com. The anesthesiologist salary range spans from $290,000 (bottom 10%) to $800,000+ (top 10%). Subspecialists like cardiac anesthesiologists earn $541,000-$600,000+, while private practice partners can exceed $700,000 annually.

How much do anesthesiologists make per hour? ▶

Anesthesiologists make approximately $210 per hour based on the average anesthesiologist salary of $437,000 and a standard 2,080-hour work year. However, many work fewer clinical hours with call coverage, pushing the effective hourly rate to $250-$300/hour. The BLS reports a median of $239/hour for all anesthesiologists.

Are anesthesiologists the highest-paid doctors? ▶

Anesthesiologists are among the highest-paid doctors but not #1. Neurosurgeons earn the most at $788,313, followed by orthopedic surgeons ($633,620). The anesthesiologist salary ranks 3rd-5th at $437,000 alongside cardiologists ($490,000) and gastroenterologists ($487,000). They earn significantly more than primary care physicians ($236,000-$264,000).

What is the starting salary for anesthesiologists? ▶

The starting anesthesiologist salary for entry-level physicians (0-4 years experience) is $323,000-$330,000 per year according to PayScale. This is still higher than most other medical specialties’ starting salaries. Private practice offers higher starting pay ($350K-$380K) compared to hospital-employed positions ($310K-$340K).

What state pays anesthesiologists the most? ▶

California pays anesthesiologists the most at $509,348/year ($245/hour), followed by Alaska ($487,781) and Washington ($476,850). However, after adjusting for cost of living and state taxes, Washington, Alaska, and Texas (all with 0% state income tax) often provide better take-home pay despite lower gross anesthesiologist salary figures.

Can anesthesiologists make $1 million a year? ▶

Yes, but it’s rare. Anesthesiologists earning $1M+ annually are typically: (1) senior private practice partners in large groups, (2) cardiac/pediatric subspecialists with extensive call coverage, (3) practice owners with multiple income streams, or (4) working 70-80 hour weeks. Most top earners ($800K-$900K) are senior partners in high-volume private practice groups.

Is anesthesiology worth it financially? ▶

Yes, financially it’s excellent. Despite $250K average med school debt and 12 years of training, anesthesiologists: (1) start at $323K, (2) reach $437K average quickly, (3) can pay off debt in 5-7 years aggressively, (4) achieve millionaire status by age 40-45, and (5) retire comfortably with $5M-$10M+ net worth. Plus, the anesthesiologist salary offers excellent lifestyle compared to surgery.

Do anesthesiologists make more than surgeons? ▶

It depends on the surgical specialty. Anesthesiologists ($437K) earn more than general surgeons ($402K) but less than neurosurgeons ($788K) and orthopedic surgeons ($634K). However, the anesthesiologist salary typically comes with fewer hours and better work-life balance than most surgical specialties.

How much do private practice anesthesiologists make? ▶

Private practice anesthesiologists earn $500,000-$700,000+ annually, significantly more than hospital-employed anesthesiologists ($400,000-$450,000). Partners in large, successful groups can exceed $800,000. The trade-off: more call burden, business risk, and administrative responsibilities.

What is the highest-paid anesthesiology subspecialty? ▶

Cardiac anesthesiology is the highest-paid anesthesiology subspecialty at $541,230-$600,000+ annually. This represents a $100,000-$150,000 premium over general anesthesia. Pain management ($462,393) and obstetric anesthesiology ($445,090) are also high-paying subspecialties.

How long does it take to become an anesthesiologist? ▶

It takes 12 years after high school to become a practicing anesthesiologist: 4 years undergrad + 4 years medical school + 4 years anesthesiology residency = 12 years total. Adding an optional 1-year fellowship (cardiac, pediatric, etc.) extends this to 13 years. You’ll start earning a full anesthesiologist salary at age 30-32.

Is there a gender pay gap in anesthesiology? ▶

Unfortunately, yes. According to recent data, male anesthesiologists earn 10-15% more than female peers at the same career stage. Among independent practitioners, men average $366,461 vs women at $314,844 (a $51,617 gap). In employed roles, men earn $312,602 vs women at $272,806 (a $39,796 gap). This gap persists across most medical specialties.

Do anesthesiologists work long hours? ▶

Anesthesiologists typically work 40-60 hours per week including call coverage. Most work 8-12 hour shifts with call rotation (nights/weekends). Compared to surgeons (60-80 hours) or emergency medicine (unpredictable), the anesthesiologist schedule offers better work-life balance. Private practice may require more call burden but higher anesthesiologist salary compensates.

What benefits do anesthesiologists get besides salary? ▶

Beyond the anesthesiologist salary, most receive: health insurance (often employer-paid), malpractice insurance ($50K-$100K value), 401(k) matching or profit-sharing, CME allowance ($2,000-$5,000), 4-6 weeks paid vacation, signing bonuses ($25K-$50K), and student loan repayment assistance (up to $50,000 in underserved areas). Total comp package often adds $75K-$150K to base salary.

Is anesthesiologist salary expected to increase? ▶

Yes, anesthesiologist salary is projected to continue growing. The BLS projects 2% growth in anesthesiology jobs through 2033 (matching average). However, salaries are growing faster than job growth due to: (1) aging population requiring more surgeries, (2) physician shortage, (3) increasing surgical complexity, and (4) inflation-driven compensation adjustments. Expect 3-5% annual salary growth through 2030.

Considering an Anesthesiology Career?

With an average anesthesiologist salary of $437,000, consistent demand, and excellent work-life balance compared to surgery, anesthesiology offers one of the best combinations of compensation and lifestyle in medicine. Start your journey today.

💊 Explore Anesthesiology Programs

Kumar

Hey there! I’m Kumar, the owner of DollarHire. Alongside working as an Executive SEO Specialist, I studied at a finance institute to strengthen my skills in finance and marketing.

Anesthesiologist Salary – 2026 (LATEST) ✅