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Anesthesiologist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$391,490median pay per year, or $188.22 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $101,460lowest 10% earn less
  2. $207,00025th percentile
  3. $391,490median
  4. $490,53075th percentile
  5. $557,130top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Anesthesiologists earn far more than the typical US worker, with a median wage of $391,490 a year[1][2]. The trade-off is a long road in: medical school after college, then a residency that lasts 3 to 9 years for physicians, depending on specialty[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+3.6%[5]
Openings per year
1,100[6]
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree[7]

How much do anesthesiologists make?

The median wage for anesthesiologists was $391,490 a year, or $188.22 an hour, in May 2025[1]. For comparison, the median for all US occupations was $50,980[2].

The average (mean) wage was $360,570 a year, or $173.35 an hour[8]. So the average sits below the median[1][8].

Pay varies a lot. A percentile is a boundary, not a starting salary[9]. Here is how the range looked[1][4][10]:

Percentile Per year Per hour
10th $101,460 $48.78
25th $207,000 $99.52
50th (median) $391,490 $188.22
75th $490,530 $235.83
90th $557,130 $267.85

So the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $101,460[4], while the top 10% earned more than $557,130[4]. The data does not say who sits at each end.

These figures come from the BLS OEWS survey. It counts workers paid a wage or salary, leaves out the self-employed, and does not include benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions[11]. About 38,760 anesthesiologists held wage and salary jobs in May 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

Among states with an exact published median, Washington led at $499,990, followed by Minnesota at $496,510 and Ohio at $490,530[13]. Virginia ($488,310) and Connecticut ($481,820) came next[13].

For 13 states, including North Carolina, Iowa and Oregon, BLS published the median only as $239,200 or more[13]. Their exact pay is not known, so they cannot be placed in the ranking. At the other end of the list, Texas had a median of $215,230 and the District of Columbia $202,570[13].

New York had by far the most jobs with 7,230, then Texas with 2,800, Florida with 2,530, Illinois with 1,570 and Washington with 1,540[14]. Texas stands out: it has the second largest number of jobs but one of the lowest exact medians[13][14].

In metro areas with 100 or more jobs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA had the highest median at $646,930[15]. Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN ($491,640) and Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL ($482,020) followed[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro had by far the most jobs, 7,080, with a median of $460,800[16].

Show median pay in 37 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[13]$499,9901,540
Minnesota$496,510870
Ohio$490,530780
Virginia$488,310n/a
Connecticut$481,820n/a
New Hampshire$481,640330
Florida$465,3702,530
Pennsylvania$461,390410
Idaho$449,990n/a
New York$445,6607,230
Wisconsin$443,990790
Kansas$437,030600
Vermont$434,78090
Maryland$418,010n/a
Louisiana$410,500190
Indiana$394,0601,460
New Mexico$393,97050
Alabama$392,350n/a
Kentucky$347,9601,090
Nebraska$334,210260
Tennessee$330,620840
Alaska$239,200+120
Arizona$239,200+n/a
Iowa$239,200+450
Maine$239,200+200
Missouri$239,200+n/a
Montana$239,200+n/a
Nevada$239,200+50
North Carolina$239,200+980
North Dakota$239,200+60
Oregon$239,200+390
Rhode Island$239,200+80
South Dakota$239,200+210
Utah$239,200+n/a
South Carolina$238,970950
Georgia$230,0001,040
Texas$215,2302,800
District of Columbia$202,570100

How to become an anesthesiologist

BLS says the typical entry path is a doctoral or professional degree followed by an internship and residency, with no prior work experience in a related job needed[7]. The training details below come from the BLS profile for physicians and surgeons, which covers a wider group than anesthesiologists alone[17].

1) Finish a bachelor's degree. No particular major is required, but medical school applicants have usually taken subjects such as biology, physical science or health[18]. 2) Apply to medical school, where admission is highly competitive[19]. Schools usually ask for transcripts, MCAT scores and recommendation letters, and most schools also interview applicants[19]. 3) Earn a medical degree in 4 years after college, either an MD or a DO[3][18]. Students start with classroom and lab courses such as anatomy and pharmacology, then treat patients under supervision during rotations in hospitals and clinics[20][21]. 4) Complete a residency of 3 to 9 years[22]. Almost all graduates go on to a residency in their chosen specialty, usually in a hospital or clinic. The length depends on the specialty[22]. 5) Add a fellowship if you want to subspecialize. This means 1 to 3 more years of training[22].

Some schools run combined college and medical school programs that take 6 to 8 years[23].

Licenses and certification. Every state requires physicians to hold a license, and the rules differ from state to state[24]. To qualify, you need a degree from an accredited medical school, a completed residency[24] and passing scores on standardized national exams[25]. Board certification in a specialty is optional, but it may widen your job options[26]. It requires finishing a residency and passing a specialty exam from a medical certifying board[26].

In an ONET survey of 35 anesthesiologists, 69% said the job requires post-doctoral training and 25% said a doctoral degree[27]. ONET puts the job in Job Zone Five, the group of jobs that need extensive preparation[28].

What anesthesiologists do

Anesthesiologists give anesthetics and pain medicine before, during or after surgery[29]. Their main tasks, as listed by O*NET, include[30]:

Where they work

Physicians work in clinical places such as hospitals and doctors' offices, including teaching hospitals linked to medical schools[31]. Some also work outside patient care, for example in government agencies or insurance companies[31]. Some work in a group practice or a healthcare organization, which helps them coordinate care but gives them less independence than working solo[32].

Anesthesiologists, like surgeons, usually work in a sterile setting and follow strict rules to keep it that way during procedures[33]. Physicians may be on their feet for long stretches[33].

BLS says physicians and surgeons usually work full time, and some work over 40 hours a week[34]. Long shifts are common and can include overnight hours, irregular hours or being on call[34]. In 2025, 3.9% of anesthesiologists worked for themselves[35].

Job outlook

BLS expects the number of anesthesiologist jobs to rise 3.6% between 2025 and 2035, from about 41,500 to 43,000[5]. That is about the same pace as the 3.5% projected for all occupations[36].

The projection counts include self-employed workers[5], which is one reason they are higher than the 38,760 wage and salary jobs in the OEWS survey[12].

About 1,100 openings are expected each year, on average[6]. These include jobs left by people who retire or change careers, not only newly created jobs[6]. Each year, about 1.8% of anesthesiologists are expected to leave the labor force and 0.4% to move to a different occupation[37].

Is it a good fit?

On pay, the facts are clear: the median of $391,490 is far above the all-occupations median of $50,980[1][2]. The cost is time. You need college, 4 years of medical school and a residency of 3 to 9 years depending on specialty[3]. Job growth of 3.6% is close to the national average[5][36], with about 1,100 openings a year[6]. It suits people who can commit to many years of training and to long or irregular shifts[34]. A related job, nurse anesthetist, had a median of $236,590 and typically requires a master's degree for entry[38].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an anesthesiologist make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $188.22 in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $48.78 an hour, and the top 10% more than $267.85[10].
How long does it take to become an anesthesiologist?
After a bachelor's degree, medical school takes 4 years, and residency takes 3 to 9 years depending on specialty[3]. A fellowship adds 1 to 3 years for a subspecialty[22]. These figures cover physicians and surgeons as a group[17].
What degree do you need to be an anesthesiologist?
You need a bachelor's degree and then a medical degree, either an MD or a DO[18], followed by a residency[7][22].
What is the highest paying state for anesthesiologists?
Among states with an exact median, Washington led at $499,990 a year[13]. BLS reported 13 states only as $239,200 or more, so their exact pay is unknown[13].
Are anesthesiologists in demand?
Jobs are expected to rise 3.6% between 2025 and 2035, about the same as the 3.5% for all occupations[5][36]. About 1,100 openings are expected each year[6].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Anesthesiologists in the US was $391,490 per year and $188.22 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Anesthesiologists: 10th percentile $101,460, 25th percentile $207,000, 75th percentile $490,530, 90th percentile $557,130. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Anesthesiologists is projected to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 41,500 to 43,000 jobs (a change of +1,500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 1,100 openings for Anesthesiologists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Anesthesiologists: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Internship/residency. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Anesthesiologists was $360,570 per year and $173.35 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Anesthesiologists: 10th percentile $48.78, 25th percentile $99.52, 75th percentile $235.83, 90th percentile $267.85. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 38,760 people were employed as Anesthesiologists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Anesthesiologists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Anesthesiologists jobs: New York 7,230; Texas 2,800; Florida 2,530; Illinois 1,570; Washington 1,540. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Anesthesiologists (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $646,930; Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $491,640; Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL $482,020; Kansas City, MO-KS $477,890; Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $471,720; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $460,800; Portland-South Portland, ME $438,550; Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $419,600. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Anesthesiologists jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 7,080 (median $460,800); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 1,700 (median $77,770); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 1,160 (median $210,230); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 990 (median $646,930); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 950 (median $218,060); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 860. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Physicians and Surgeons" covers Anesthesiologists together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. O*NET 29-1211.00 survey of workers (35 respondents), education level they say is required: Post-Doctoral Training 69%, Doctoral Degree 25% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET 29-1211.00: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET description of Anesthesiologists. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET task list for Anesthesiologists. O*NET OnLine
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Employment Projections: 3.9% of Anesthesiologists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Anesthesiologists: 1.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 0.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.