Anesthesiology vs Radiology: Salary, Lifestyle & Training (2026)
Choosing between Anesthesiology and Radiology involves weighing compensation, training length, work-life balance, call responsibilities, and long-term career satisfaction. This comparison uses verified physician data to help you make an informed decision.
See how Anesthesiologist salaries, lifestyle metrics, and training requirements compare to Radiologist data from verified submissions on SalaryDr. Anesthesiology requires 4-year residency, while Radiology requires 5-year residency.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Anesthesiology | Radiology |
|---|---|---|
| Training Length | 4-year residency | 5-year residency |
| Practitioner Title | Anesthesiologist | Radiologist |
| Live Salary Data | View Anesthesiology salary → | View Radiology salary → |
| Lifestyle Rating | See details below | See details below |
Salary figures are updated in real-time on each specialty page from verified physician submissions.
Training Pathway: Anesthesiology vs Radiology
Anesthesiology
4-year residency
Anesthesiology requires four years of training: a clinical base year followed by three years of anesthesiology-specific training. Fellowship options include pain medicine, cardiac anesthesiology, and critical care.
Radiology
5-year residency
Radiology residency is five years (including a transitional or preliminary year), with the majority of training focused on diagnostic imaging interpretation. Many radiologists pursue one-year fellowships in neuroradiology, interventional radiology, or musculoskeletal imaging.
Lifestyle & Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is one of the most important factors physicians weigh when choosing a specialty. Here is how Anesthesiology and Radiology compare on key lifestyle dimensions.
Anesthesiology
Variable lifestyle depending on practice. OR-based work with call. Some positions offer shift-based models.
- Average work week: 50 hours
- Take call: 90% of physicians
- Average PTO: 54 days/year
Radiology
Favorable lifestyle with growing remote-reading opportunities. Call varies by practice.
- Average work week: 48 hours
- Take call: 88% of physicians
- Average PTO: 80 days/year
Satisfaction & Lifestyle by the Numbers
Based on 327 verified physician submissions across both specialties.
| Metric | Anesthesiology | Radiology |
|---|---|---|
| Career Satisfaction | 3.8/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Would Choose Again | 91% | 91% |
| Avg Hours/Week | 50 | 48 |
| Takes Call | 90% | 88% |
| Avg Call Days/Month | — | — |
| Avg PTO Days/Year | 54 | 80 |
| Physician Submissions | 197 submissions | 130 submissions |
“I just cover outpatient surgery centers and each day is different. Sometimes they are longer days, but I have an idea of what the day will be like ahe...”— Anesthesiology Physician
“No patient contact, chill schedule, burnout risk”— Radiology Physician
Practice Setting Distribution
Where Anesthesiology and Radiology physicians work, based on verified salary submissions. Practice setting significantly impacts both compensation and day-to-day lifestyle.
Anesthesiology
Based on 197 verified submissions
Radiology
Based on 130 verified submissions
Career Outlook & Job Market
Anesthesiology Outlook
Anesthesiology demand remains strong, though the competitive landscape includes CRNAs in some states. Subspecialization in cardiac, pediatric, or obstetric anesthesia can differentiate earning potential.
Radiology Outlook
Radiology demand has rebounded strongly, with AI augmentation creating new workflows rather than replacing radiologists. Teleradiology continues to expand practice flexibility and geographic independence.
Compensation Growth Trajectory
Physician salaries in both Anesthesiology and Radiology 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. For detailed breakdowns, explore the Anesthesiology and Radiology salary-by-experience pages.
Explore Deeper Data
Benchmark Reports
Lifestyle & Satisfaction
Is It Worth It?
Training & Residency
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