Anesthesiology vs Radiology: Salary Comparison (2026)

Compare Anesthesiology and Radiology compensation across salary, lifestyle, and career metrics. See how Anesthesiologist salaries stack up against Radiologist pay using verified physician data on SalaryDr.

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnesthesiologyRadiology
Training Length4-year residency5-year residency
Practitioner TitleAnesthesiologistRadiologist
Live Salary DataView Anesthesiology salaryView Radiology salary
Lifestyle RatingSee details belowSee details below

Salary figures are updated in real-time on each specialty page from verified physician submissions.

Key Differences

Training Path

  • Anesthesiology: 4-year residency
  • Radiology: 5-year residency

Practice Setting

Both Anesthesiology and Radiology offer diverse practice settings including academic medical centers, private practice, and hospital employment. Compensation varies significantly by setting.

Lifestyle & Work-Life Balance

Anesthesiology

Variable lifestyle depending on practice. OR-based work with call. Some positions offer shift-based models.

Radiology

Favorable lifestyle with growing remote-reading opportunities. Call varies by practice.

Career Considerations

Job Market Outlook

Both Anesthesiology and Radiology continue to see strong demand driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access. Geographic demand varies; rural and underserved areas often offer higher compensation to attract specialists.

Compensation Growth Trajectory

Physician salaries in both specialties typically increase with experience, with the largest jumps in the first 5-10 years post-training. Partnership or ownership in private practice can meaningfully accelerate earnings.

Subspecialization Opportunities

Both specialties offer fellowship pathways that can further differentiate earning potential and lifestyle. Compare detailed salary data for each specialty to see how subspecialties affect pay.

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