← 2026 Salary Report / Anesthesiology
Strong base salary with shift-based lifestyle. Pain medicine fellowship offers the highest income ceiling.
Training: 4 years post-medical school | 5-Year Change: +8% | Range (25th-75th): $350,000-$550,000
Starting salaries for anesthesiologists are $370,000-$420,000 and remain relatively flat across career stages compared to surgical specialties. Pain medicine subspecialists earn $500,000-$700,000+ due to procedure-based revenue. Cardiac anesthesiologists and critical care specialists earn modest premiums of 10-15%.
No-tax states like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee offer the best COL-adjusted compensation. States with CRNA-friendly scope-of-practice laws (e.g. California) can create competitive pressure on anesthesiologist compensation. Rural hospital systems offer strong call premiums.
Most anesthesiologists are employed or work in large groups. Employed salary: $380,000-$480,000. Private group partners with OR management contracts earn $450,000-$600,000. Pain medicine practices in private settings are the highest earners in anesthesiology, reaching $600,000-$900,000 with interventional procedures.
Three highest-leverage actions: (1) Pain medicine fellowship is the single highest-ROI subspecialty in anesthesiology. (2) Negotiate call pay and weekend differentials - these can add $50,000-$100,000 annually. (3) Evaluate group structures carefully - partner tracks vs. employed models have very different long-term economics. Use the PhysicianWealth Salary Benchmark for a personalized comparison.
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