Anesthesiologists

SOC code 29-1211 · O*NET-SOC 29-1211.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Healthcare

Anesthesiologists pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$391,490

a year

Hourly

$188.22

per hour

10th$101,460Median$391,49090th$557,130

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$360,570

$173.35 per hour

Middle 50%

$207,000 – $490,530

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$101,460 – $557,130

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

38,760

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $101,460; $48.78/hr
25th percentile: $207,000; $99.52/hr
Median percentile: $391,490; $188.22/hr
75th percentile: $490,530; $235.83/hr
90th percentile: $557,130; $267.85/hr

What does an anesthesiologist do?

Administer anesthetics and analgesics for pain management prior to, during, or after surgery.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Examine patient, obtain medical history, and use diagnostic tests to determine risk during surgical, obstetrical, and other medical procedures.
Administer anesthetic or sedation during medical procedures, using local, intravenous, spinal, or caudal methods.
Record type and amount of anesthesia and patient condition throughout procedure.
Monitor patient before, during, and after anesthesia and counteract adverse reactions or complications.
Decide when patients have recovered or stabilized enough to be sent to another room or ward or to be sent home following outpatient surgery.
Coordinate administration of anesthetics with surgeons during operation.
Position patient on operating table to maximize patient comfort and surgical accessibility.
Coordinate and direct work of nurses, medical technicians, and other health care providers.

How to become an anesthesiologist

Most people in this role hold post-doctoral training — 69% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed

Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

See all zone 5 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Post-Doctoral Training69%
Doctoral Degree25%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.5%
Master's Degree1%

Common questions

How much does an anesthesiologist earn?

The national median is $391,490 a year. The full range runs from $101,460 at the 10th percentile to $557,130 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become an anesthesiologist without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Critical Thinking4.6/5
Reading Comprehension4.1/5
Monitoring4.1/5
Active Listening4.0/5
Writing4.0/5
Speaking4.0/5
Science4.0/5

Knowledge areas

Medicine and Dentistry5.0/5
English Language4.8/5
Biology4.7/5
Psychology4.7/5
Mathematics4.5/5
Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
Chemistry4.4/5
Physics4.3/5

Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving.