Anesthesiologists
Anesthesiologists (SOC 29-1211) earn a median $391,490 a year ($188.22 an hour) in the United States, with 38,760 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Washington.
What anesthesiologists do
Anesthesiologists administer anesthetics and analgesics for pain management before, during or after surgery. Before a procedure they examine the patient, obtain a medical history and use diagnostic tests to determine risk, whether the setting is surgical, obstetrical or another medical procedure. During it they give anesthetic or sedation by local, intravenous, spinal or caudal methods, position the patient on the operating table for comfort and surgical access, and coordinate the anesthetic with the surgeons. They provide and maintain life support and airway management, monitor the patient, record the type and amount of anesthesia given, and counteract adverse reactions or complications. Afterward they decide when patients have recovered or stabilized enough to move to another room or ward or to go home following outpatient surgery. Most respondents report post-doctoral training beyond the doctoral degree. Names such as cardiac, obstetrical, ambulatory and pain management anesthesiologist show the range of subspecialties.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report postdoctoral training as the typical level of education for this occupation (69 percent).
Also called: Ambulatory Anesthesiologist, Anaesthesiologist, Anesthesiologist, Anesthesiology Pain Management Physician, Anesthesiology Physician.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $48.78 | $99.52 | $188.22 | $235.83 | $267.85 | $173.35 | 38,760 |
| Annual | $101,460 | $207,000 | $391,490 | $490,530 | $557,130 | $360,570 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where anesthesiologists earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Washington | Hourly | $114.91 | $210.30 | $240.38 | $311.03 | $311.03 | $244.48 | 1,540 | 0.44 | 1.74 |
| Annual | $239,000 | $437,430 | $499,990 | $646,930 | $646,940 | $508,520 | ||||
| Minnesota | Hourly | $55.71 | $173.07 | $238.71 | $277.13 | $284.49 | $215.93 | 870 | 0.29 | 1.18 |
| Annual | $115,870 | $359,990 | $496,510 | $576,440 | $591,740 | $449,130 | ||||
| Ohio | Hourly | $82.85 | $156.90 | $235.83 | $243.67 | $261.47 | $203.13 | 780 | 0.14 | 0.56 |
| Annual | $172,330 | $326,360 | $490,530 | $506,840 | $543,850 | $422,500 | ||||
| Virginia | Hourly | $20.24 | $125.50 | $234.77 | $242.40 | $243.99 | $186.84 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $42,100 | $261,040 | $488,310 | $504,200 | $507,500 | $388,620 | ||||
| Connecticut | Hourly | $36.08 | $207.94 | $231.65 | $254.74 | $254.74 | $200.28 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $75,050 | $432,520 | $481,820 | $529,860 | $529,860 | $416,580 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York | Hourly | $65.75 | $73.15 | $214.26 | $257.12 | $269.71 | $168.24 | 7,230 | 0.75 | 3.00 |
| Annual | $136,760 | $152,160 | $445,660 | $534,810 | $561,000 | $349,940 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $81.13 | $101.05 | $103.48 | $167.56 | $234.94 | $132.92 | 2,800 | 0.20 | 0.80 |
| Annual | $168,750 | $210,190 | $215,230 | $348,530 | $488,670 | $276,470 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $103.52 | $186.61 | $223.74 | $231.68 | $247.39 | $203.26 | 2,530 | 0.26 | 1.02 |
| Annual | $215,320 | $388,140 | $465,370 | $481,890 | $514,580 | $422,780 | ||||
| Illinois | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 1,570 | 0.26 | 1.04 |
| Annual | * | * | * | * | * | * | ||||
| Washington | Hourly | $114.91 | $210.30 | $240.38 | $311.03 | $311.03 | $244.48 | 1,540 | 0.44 | 1.74 |
| Annual | $239,000 | $437,430 | $499,990 | $646,930 | $646,940 | $508,520 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Hourly | $202.78 | $240.38 | $311.02 | $311.03 | $311.03 | $266.15 | 990 | 0.48 | 1.91 |
| Annual | $421,780 | $499,990 | $646,930 | $646,940 | $646,940 | $553,600 | ||||
| St. Cloud, MN | Hourly | $100.52 | $160.25 | $284.49 | $284.49 | $284.49 | $234.86 | 40 | 0.36 | 1.46 |
| Annual | $209,090 | $333,310 | $591,740 | $591,740 | $591,740 | $488,500 | ||||
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | Hourly | $80.23 | $190.45 | $246.45 | $266.06 | $266.06 | $219.85 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $166,890 | $396,130 | $512,620 | $553,410 | $553,410 | $457,280 | ||||
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | Hourly | $19.31 | $99.36 | $240.86 | $243.99 | $243.99 | $166.73 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $40,160 | $206,670 | $500,990 | $507,500 | $507,500 | $346,790 | ||||
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | Hourly | $57.69 | $57.69 | $236.37 | $236.37 | $236.37 | $171.08 | 500 | 0.73 | 2.91 |
| Annual | $119,990 | $119,990 | $491,640 | $491,640 | $491,640 | $355,850 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $73.15 | $73.15 | $221.54 | $257.30 | $269.71 | $170.58 | 7,080 | 0.75 | 2.99 |
| Annual | $152,160 | $152,160 | $460,800 | $535,190 | $561,000 | $354,810 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $37.17 | $37.39 | $37.39 | $104.35 | $212.63 | $79.36 | 1,700 | 0.38 | 1.51 |
| Annual | $77,320 | $77,770 | $77,770 | $217,040 | $442,270 | $165,060 | ||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $40.35 | $101.07 | $101.07 | $101.71 | $234.94 | $116.44 | 1,160 | 0.35 | 1.42 |
| Annual | $83,920 | $210,230 | $210,230 | $211,550 | $488,670 | $242,200 | ||||
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Hourly | $202.78 | $240.38 | $311.02 | $311.03 | $311.03 | $266.15 | 990 | 0.48 | 1.91 |
| Annual | $421,780 | $499,990 | $646,930 | $646,940 | $646,940 | $553,600 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $88.51 | $103.48 | $104.84 | $185.15 | $195.60 | $133.46 | 950 | 0.24 | 0.94 |
| Annual | $184,110 | $215,230 | $218,060 | $385,110 | $406,850 | $277,610 | ||||
Top industries employing anesthesiologists
Offices of Physicians employ 74.0% of anesthesiologists nationally (28,700 jobs) at a median $399,990 a year ($192.30 an hour), followed by General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (20.7%) and Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (3.4%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offices of Physicians NAICS 621100 | 28,700 | 74.0% | $399,990 | $192.30 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals NAICS 622100 | 8,010 | 20.7% | $285,310 | $137.17 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools NAICS 611300 | 1,300 | 3.4% | $391,490 | $188.22 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals NAICS 622300 | 230 | 0.6% | $384,510 | $184.86 |
| Outpatient Care Centers NAICS 621400 | 180 | 0.5% | $497,800 | $239.33 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (38,760). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Every state, by median wage
41 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington profile | $240.38 | $499,990 | $239,000 | $646,940 | 1,540 | 0.44 | 1.74 |
| 2 | Minnesota profile | $238.71 | $496,510 | $115,870 | $591,740 | 870 | 0.29 | 1.18 |
| 3 | Ohio profile | $235.83 | $490,530 | $172,330 | $543,850 | 780 | 0.14 | 0.56 |
| 4 | Virginia profile | $234.77 | $488,310 | $42,100 | $507,500 | ** | ** | ** |
| 5 | Connecticut profile | $231.65 | $481,820 | $75,050 | $529,860 | ** | ** | ** |
| 6 | New Hampshire profile | $231.56 | $481,640 | $76,330 | $488,130 | 330 | 0.48 | 1.93 |
| 7 | Florida profile | $223.74 | $465,370 | $215,320 | $514,580 | 2,530 | 0.26 | 1.02 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania profile | $221.82 | $461,390 | $75,070 | $542,880 | 410 | 0.07 | 0.27 |
| 9 | Idaho profile | $216.34 | $449,990 | $89,130 | $497,100 | ** | ** | ** |
| 10 | New York profile | $214.26 | $445,660 | $136,760 | $561,000 | 7,230 | 0.75 | 3.00 |
| 11 | Wisconsin profile | $213.46 | $443,990 | $217,060 | $639,120 | 790 | 0.27 | 1.08 |
| 12 | Kansas profile | $210.11 | $437,030 | $222,520 | $536,800 | 600 | 0.42 | 1.68 |
| 13 | Vermont profile | $209.03 | $434,780 | $80,000 | $516,450 | 90 | 0.28 | 1.13 |
| 14 | Maryland profile | $200.97 | $418,010 | $170,770 | $506,640 | ** | ** | ** |
| 15 | Louisiana profile | $197.35 | $410,500 | $231,450 | $417,550 | 190 | 0.10 | 0.39 |
| 16 | Indiana profile | $189.45 | $394,060 | $217,040 | $512,160 | 1,460 | 0.46 | 1.83 |
| 17 | New Mexico profile | $189.41 | $393,970 | $72,440 | $586,950 | 50 | 0.06 | 0.25 |
| 18 | Alabama profile | $188.63 | $392,350 | $223,700 | $492,400 | ** | ** | ** |
| 19 | Kentucky profile | $167.29 | $347,960 | $107,110 | $491,640 | 1,090 | 0.54 | 2.18 |
| 20 | Nebraska profile | $160.68 | $334,210 | $234,710 | $512,180 | 260 | 0.26 | 1.02 |
| 21 | Tennessee profile | $158.95 | $330,620 | $75,260 | $442,360 | 840 | 0.26 | 1.03 |
| 22 | South Carolina profile | $114.89 | $238,970 | $77,540 | $549,580 | 950 | 0.41 | 1.64 |
| 23 | Georgia profile | $110.58 | $230,000 | $169,710 | $494,270 | 1,040 | 0.21 | 0.86 |
| 24 | Texas profile | $103.48 | $215,230 | $168,750 | $488,670 | 2,800 | 0.20 | 0.80 |
| 25 | District of Columbia profile | $97.39 | $202,570 | $70,580 | $397,210 | 100 | 0.14 | 0.56 |
| – | Alaska profile | # | # | # | # | 120 | 0.36 | 1.45 |
| – | Arizona profile | # | # | # | # | ** | ** | ** |
| – | Illinois profile | * | * | * | * | 1,570 | 0.26 | 1.04 |
| – | Iowa profile | # | # | # | # | 450 | 0.29 | 1.15 |
| – | Maine profile | # | # | # | # | 200 | 0.31 | 1.23 |
| – | Massachusetts profile | * | * | * | * | 1,100 | 0.30 | 1.21 |
| – | Michigan profile | * | * | * | * | 1,270 | 0.29 | 1.16 |
| – | Missouri profile | # | # | # | # | ** | ** | ** |
| – | Montana profile | # | # | # | # | ** | ** | ** |
| – | Nevada profile | # | # | # | # | 50 | 0.04 | 0.14 |
| – | North Carolina profile | # | # | # | # | 980 | 0.20 | 0.80 |
| – | North Dakota profile | # | # | # | # | 60 | 0.13 | 0.54 |
| – | Oregon profile | # | # | # | # | 390 | 0.20 | 0.79 |
| – | Rhode Island profile | # | # | # | # | 80 | 0.16 | 0.65 |
| – | South Dakota profile | # | # | # | # | 210 | 0.46 | 1.86 |
| – | Utah profile | # | # | # | # | ** | ** | ** |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (29-1210), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 29-1211 Anesthesiologists.
#- Equal to or greater than the top code (BLS publishes no wage above it).
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 29-1211, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 29-1211.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.