Anesthesiologist salary data for 2026 with base vs total comp breakdowns, CRNA impact analysis, partnership track financials, and call compensation structures.
Key Takeaways
- Current median anesthesiologist pay and its percentiles are in the table at the top of this article
- Private group partners can earn $500,000–$700,000+, significantly above employed positions
- Call compensation adds $50,000–$100,000+ annually depending on frequency and model
- The CRNA supervision landscape is shifting — understanding your state’s scope-of-practice laws matters for long-term earnings
Anesthesiology has long been one of the higher-paying medical specialties, but the compensation landscape is evolving. The growing number of CRNAs, shifting practice models, and increasing hospital employment have changed how anesthesiologists are paid. This guide provides a data-driven look at anesthesiologist compensation in 2026.
We draw on self-reported, moderated submissions from SalaryDr's anesthesiology database alongside national benchmarks to give you a complete picture of what anesthesiologists earn — and what drives the differences.
Base Salary vs. Total Compensation
For anesthesiologists, the gap between base salary and total compensation is often significant because of call pay, productivity bonuses, and partnership distributions.
Current total-compensation percentiles from approved anesthesiologist reports are in the table at the top of this article.
CRNA Supervision Model and Its Impact on Pay
The anesthesia care team model — where a physician anesthesiologist medically directs CRNAs — is the dominant practice model in most states. However, 27 states now allow some form of CRNA independent practice, and this number is growing.
How the care team model affects compensation:
- Medical direction (1:4 ratio): The anesthesiologist can bill for directing up to 4 concurrent cases. This model allows the anesthesiologist to generate significantly higher revenue than solo practice, as they participate in the reimbursement for each directed case.
- Medical supervision (1:5+): Lower reimbursement per case but higher volume. Some practices use this model for lower-acuity cases.
- Solo physician practice: The anesthesiologist personally administers all anesthetics. Higher per-case reimbursement but limited to one case at a time. Common in smaller facilities and cardiac cases.
In markets where CRNAs are gaining independent practice authority, some hospitals are replacing physician-led care teams with independent CRNAs for lower-risk cases. This trend is most pronounced in rural hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. Anesthesiologists in these markets may see compensation pressure unless they focus on high-acuity cases (cardiac, pediatric, neurosurgery) where physician involvement remains the standard.
Academic vs. Private Practice
| Setting | Median Total Comp | Call Frequency | Partnership Path |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Medical Center | $380,000 | 1:6 to 1:10 | No (tenure track) |
| Hospital-Employed | $420,000 | 1:5 to 1:8 | No |
| Large National Group | $440,000 | 1:5 to 1:7 | Varies |
| Private Group (Partner) | $580,000 | 1:4 to 1:7 | Yes (1-3 yr track) |
Partnership Track: Is the Buy-In Worth It?
Private anesthesiology group partnerships remain one of the most lucrative arrangements in medicine, but they are becoming less common as hospital consolidation continues. Here is what a typical partnership track looks like:
- Year 1-2 (Associate): Salary of $380,000–$420,000 with standard call obligations. You are essentially proving yourself to the group.
- Year 2-3 (Buy-in): You purchase equity in the group, typically $50,000–$200,000 paid over 1-3 years. Some groups deduct the buy-in from your distributions.
- Year 3+ (Partner): Full partner distributions of $500,000–$700,000+. You share in profits (and losses) and have voting rights on group decisions.
The financial advantage of partnership is clear — partners often earn $150,000–$250,000 more annually than employed anesthesiologists. Over a 20-year career, that difference compounds to $3–5 million in additional pre-tax earnings. However, partnership carries business risk, and some formerly stable groups have lost hospital contracts to national staffing companies.
Call Compensation
Call pay is a significant component of anesthesiologist compensation. The most common structures include:
| Call Model | Typical Pay | Additional Case Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Weeknight (in-house) | $1,500–$2,500 | Yes, per case |
| Weeknight (home call) | $800–$1,500 | Yes, per case |
| Weekend (24hr) | $2,000–$3,500 | Yes, per case |
| Holiday (24hr) | $2,500–$5,000 | Yes, per case |
An anesthesiologist taking call 6 times per month at an average of $2,000 per shift earns an additional $144,000 annually from call alone — before any per-case add-ons. This is why total compensation often significantly exceeds base salary in anesthesiology.
Geographic Compensation Differences
| Region | Median Total Comp | CRNA Independent Practice? |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast | $445,000 | Varies by state |
| Midwest | $440,000 | Several states allow |
| Northeast | $425,000 | Limited |
| Southwest | $450,000 | Varies |
| West Coast | $460,000 | Limited in CA/WA |
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Explore real-time anesthesiology compensation data on SalaryDr's anesthesiology page or request a benchmark report for your next contract negotiation. Help improve the data by submitting your salary anonymously.