Anesthesiologist Salary in 2025: How Much Do Anesthesiologists Really Make?
Introduction
If you ask medical students which specialties they think of when picturing “top doctor salaries,” anesthesiology is almost always near the top of the list. And for good reason — anesthesiologists play a critical role in every surgery, procedure, and pain-management plan in modern medicine. In 2025, anesthesiology remains one of the highest-paid specialties in the United States, attracting physicians with both financial reward and strong job satisfaction.
But how much does an anesthesiologist really make in 2025? The answer depends on factors like practice setting, state, and experience level. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), SalaryDr’s proprietary physician salary submissions, and other trusted sources like Medscape and ZipRecruiter, we’ll break down anesthesiologist pay across the U.S. — including average salary, salary by state, and comparisons to other specialties.
Key Statistics
Career Satisfaction
Average Satisfaction Rating: ~3.9 out of 5 (high overall job satisfaction)
Would Choose Again: ~90% of anesthesiologists would choose the specialty again
Average Anesthesiologist Salary in 2025
According to SalaryDr’s latest physician salary database (updated September 2025), the median anesthesiologist salary is $535,000 per year, with the 25th percentile earning around $495,000 and the 75th percentile at $560,000. Reported salaries in our dataset max out close to $966,000, showing just how high compensation can go for top earners.
Metric Salary (USD) Median $535,000 25th Percentile $494,522 75th Percentile $560,000 Maximum Reported $966,000
Source: SalaryDr Physician Salary Database
For context, the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (last full release in 2023) reported the mean annual wage for anesthesiologists at $405,400 , but this number is widely considered an undercount because it caps out at $239/hour. SalaryDr’s self-reported physician data paints a more realistic picture of total compensation, which often includes bonuses, call pay, and incentive packages.
Platforms like ZipRecruiter and Indeed show national averages ranging from $400,000–$480,000, putting our SalaryDr median of $535,000 at the higher end. This difference is explained by the fact that many of SalaryDr’s submissions come directly from practicing physicians across the U.S., giving a more accurate real-world snapshot.
Key takeaway: In 2025, anesthesiologists in the U.S. consistently earn $500K+ per year, with plenty of upside for those in high-demand regions or private practice groups.
Salary by State & Region
Geography plays a big role in anesthesiologist pay. States with large hospital networks, high cost-of-living, or recruitment shortages often pay the most to attract talent.
Here’s a look at what anesthesiologists earn across selected states, using SalaryDr data:
State Median Salary 25th Percentile 75th Percentile Reports Max Salary Texas $600,000 $310,000 $603,750 6 $635,000 California $560,000 $510,000 $670,000 12 $950,000 Pennsylvania $550,250 $540,000 $900,000 4 $900,000 Iowa $545,000 $535,000 $545,000 11 $555,000 Oregon $545,000 $475,000 $690,000 3 $690,000 Massachusetts $535,000 $505,000 $560,000 12 $590,000 Illinois $535,000 $520,000 $540,000 17 $640,000 Georgia $535,000 $470,000 $540,000 6 $570,000 Tennessee $470,000 $450,000 $550,000 3 $550,000
Insights:
Highest Median: Texas ($600,000).
Highest Max Reported: California ($950,000).
Lowest Median: Tennessee ($470,000).
Most Reports: Illinois (17).
Despite some regional differences, even the lowest median reported (Tennessee at ~$470K) is well above the overall U.S. physician median. Highly populous states like Texas and California top the list in absolute pay, but some smaller states (e.g. Iowa, Oregon) also report medians above $540K, likely to attract talent to those areas. In contrast, certain major metropolitan areas with higher supply (e.g. New York City) show average anesthesiologist pay that can be lower (around ~$400K), illustrating how cost-of-living and market saturation influence compensation.
Practice Setting Considerations
Compensation can also vary by practice environment in anesthesiology. Anesthesiologists typically practice in a few primary settings, each with its own pay structure and trade-offs:
Hospital-Employed Positions – Working directly for a hospital or health system, often with a salaried compensation model. These roles offer stability; in some data, hospital-employed anesthesiologists average around $550K annually, usually with a solid base salary plus bonuses for productivity or call coverage.
Private Practice Groups – Working as part of an independent anesthesiology group (or as a partner/owner). These positions tend to offer the highest earning potential (average ~$597K in SalaryDr data), especially for senior partners. However, income may be tied to case volume and comes with the responsibilities of running a practice (overhead, administration, etc.).
Academic Medical Centers – Roles at university-affiliated hospitals with duties in teaching and research. Compensation is typically lower (around ~$474K on average) compared to the private sector, reflecting trade-offs for lighter clinical loads and academic pursuits (e.g. research time, job security, intellectual fulfillment).
Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) – Providing anesthesia for outpatient surgeries. Many anesthesiologists in ASCs are part of private groups or act as per-diem specialists. These settings can offer efficient, high-volume case work; compensation is competitive, though often structured per diem or per case, and can vary widely based on workload and center ownership.
Explore more physician practice setting salaries on SalaryDr.
Salary vs Other Specialties
How does anesthesiology stack up against other top-paying fields? Very well.
Specialty Median Salary (2025) Anesthesiology $535,000 Radiology $520,000 Orthopedic Surgery $615,000 Cardiology $550,000 Psychiatry $280,000 Pediatrics $250,000
Anesthesiologists earn more than radiologists and cardiologists, and far more than primary care specialties like pediatrics. Only highly surgical fields such as orthopedics and neurosurgery consistently outpace anesthesiology.
Lifestyle, Trends & Outlook
One of the most striking aspects of anesthesiology is the balance between high pay and high satisfaction. According to SalaryDr submissions:
Average satisfaction: 3.9/50.
Would choose again: 90% of respondents.
Other lifestyle notes:
Hours: Typically 40–55 per week, with call coverage varying by hospital.
Burnout: Anesthesiologists report lower-than-average burnout compared to frontline primary care, though OR scheduling pressures are real.
Job Demand: Growing steadily with surgical volumes rebounding post-pandemic. Rural hospitals and high-population states are actively recruiting anesthesiologists with premium pay.
See how anesthesiologist satisfaction compares to other specialties.
Training to Become an Anesthesiologist
Behind the impressive salary numbers is one of the most rigorous training paths in medicine. Becoming an anesthesiologist takes 12–14 years of education and training after high school.
1. Undergraduate Education (4 years):
Most anesthesiologists begin with a bachelor’s degree that includes pre-med coursework in biology, chemistry, and physics. Competitive GPAs and MCAT scores are essential to secure a spot in medical school.
2. Medical School (4 years):
Medical school provides the foundation of medical knowledge and patient care. The first two years are classroom-based, covering anatomy, pharmacology, and physiology. The final two years involve clinical rotations, where students often seek electives in anesthesiology to prepare for residency.
3. Residency Training (4 years):
Anesthesiology residency begins with a one-year internship (commonly in internal medicine or surgery), followed by three years of focused anesthesia training. Residents learn to manage anesthesia for surgical procedures, provide critical care in the ICU, and practice subspecialties such as obstetric or pediatric anesthesia. During this period, salaries average $65K–$75K, far below attending-level pay.
4. Fellowship Options (1–2 years, optional):
Many anesthesiologists pursue additional subspecialty training in areas like cardiac anesthesia, pain medicine, critical care, or pediatric anesthesia. Fellowship-trained anesthesiologists often earn at the higher end of the compensation spectrum.
5. Certification and Licensure:
Finally, anesthesiologists must pass the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) exams and obtain state licensure. Board certification demonstrates clinical excellence and is required for most hospital privileges.
By the time an anesthesiologist finishes training, they are often in their early to mid-30s. While the journey is long, the payoff is significant: high compensation, diverse career options, and strong job satisfaction make anesthesiology a top choice for many physicians.
Conclusion
In summary, anesthesiology remains one of the highest-paying medical specialties – with median salaries solidly in the half-million-dollar range nationwide. Every state reported a median above $470K, and some regions see significantly higher pay to attract talent. Importantly, anesthesiologists also report exceptional job satisfaction and near-universal career happiness, making this field highly attractive for physicians seeking both financial reward and professional fulfillment. Overall, the data indicate that anesthesiology offers a compelling balance of top-tier compensation, strong demand, and gratifying work, contributing to its reputation as a premier specialty in medicine.
FAQ
What is the average anesthesiologist salary in 2025?
Around $535,000 per year, with most earning between $495,000–$560,000 (SalaryDr data).
Which state pays anesthesiologists the most?
Texas leads with a $600,000 median, while California has the highest maximum salary reported ($950,000).
Is anesthesiology still worth it in 2025?
Yes. It’s one of the most lucrative fields, with high job satisfaction and strong demand across the country.
Do anesthesiologists make more than CRNAs?
Yes. CRNA salaries average around $210,000–$250,000, far below physician anesthesiologists, who consistently earn $500K+.