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Anesthesiologist

$239,200+
median pay per year
full range coming in the next data update

What the job actually is

Give and manage anesthesia during surgery, monitoring patients' vital signs throughout the procedure.

Where you work

Hospital operating rooms and surgical centers

The hours

Long hours, frequent on-call

By the numbers

May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.

Median pay
$239,200+
per year
What most earn
range coming soon
Openings a year
~1,300
projected, 2024–34
Outlook to 2034
+3%
About average
Working in the U.S.
45,300
people, nationwide

Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.

“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.

How you get in

Typical starting education

Doctoral / professional degree

Training path: Medical school + residency.

License or certification

Requires a medical degree, a residency, and a state medical license.

What it takes

Anesthesia managementPatient monitoringQuick decisionsComposure

The honest take

Keeps patients safe and pain-free during surgery, among the very highest-paid physicians, with pay above $239,000.

Standard Occupational Classification 29-1211. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.