Anesthesiologist Salary Guide 2026: Complete Compensation Breakdown
Anesthesiology remains one of the highest-compensated medical specialties in 2026. Despite increasing competition from CRNAs in some markets, physician anesthesiologists command premium salaries, particularly in subspecialized roles and leadership positions overseeing anesthesia care teams.
Anesthesiologist Salary Overview for 2026
Anesthesiologists in 2026 earn between $350,000 and $550,000 annually. Subspecialists in cardiac anesthesiology, pain management, and critical care anesthesiology often earn at the higher end, while those in academic positions or anesthesia care team models may earn less.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience Level | Years Post-Residency | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Early Career | 0-3 years | $330,000 – $400,000 |
| Mid-Career | 4-10 years | $400,000 – $500,000 |
| Experienced | 11-20 years | $475,000 – $575,000 |
| Senior/Partner | 20+ years | $525,000 – $650,000+ |
Top 5 Highest-Paying States for Anesthesiologists
| State | Average Anesthesiologist Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $545,000 |
| Georgia | $530,000 |
| South Carolina | $520,000 |
| Kentucky | $510,000 |
| Tennessee | $505,000 |
Practice Models and Compensation
Private practice anesthesiology groups, particularly those with exclusive hospital contracts, offer the highest compensation. Employed anesthesiologists at health systems receive stable salaries with benefits but limited upside. Locum tenens anesthesiology can pay $2,000 to $3,500 per day for experienced practitioners, making it an attractive option for those seeking flexibility.
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Start Free TrialAnesthesiology Subspecialties
Cardiac anesthesiology and interventional pain management lead subspecialty compensation. Pain management offers the additional advantage of a primarily outpatient practice with no call obligations. Pediatric anesthesiology commands premium pay at children hospitals. Critical care medicine fellowship-trained anesthesiologists can serve dual roles in ICU and OR settings, increasing their value to employers.
Anesthesiologist vs CRNA Compensation
While CRNAs have narrowed the compensation gap in some markets, physician anesthesiologists still earn significantly more overall, particularly in supervisory roles and subspecialty practice. The anesthesia care team model, where physicians supervise CRNAs, remains the dominant practice model in most states. For CRNA salary comparisons, NurseSend provides detailed nurse anesthetist compensation data. For comprehensive salary guides across all healthcare professions, HealthTal covers everything from nursing to therapy to pharmacy.
Find Anesthesiology Positions on RecruitPhysician
Exploring anesthesiology opportunities? Search the RecruitPhysician database to find positions with competitive compensation, flexible schedules, and practice models that match your career objectives.
The RecruitPhysician team covers healthcare recruitment trends, physician workforce insights, and data-driven hiring strategies.