Anesthesiologists
Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed
Administer anesthetics and analgesics for pain management prior to, during, or after surgery.
Median pay: $391,490/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +3.2% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 1,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Monitor patient before, during, and after anesthesia and counteract adverse reactions or complications.
• Record type and amount of anesthesia and patient condition throughout procedure.
• Provide and maintain life support and airway management and help prepare patients for emergency surgery.
• Administer anesthetic or sedation during medical procedures, using local, intravenous, spinal, or caudal methods.
• Examine patient, obtain medical history, and use diagnostic tests to determine risk during surgical, obstetrical, and other medical procedures.
• Position patient on operating table to maximize patient comfort and surgical accessibility.
• Coordinate administration of anesthetics with surgeons during operation.
• Decide when patients have recovered or stabilized enough to be sent to another room or ward or to be sent home following outpatient surgery.
What's the median pay for Anesthesiologists?
The median pay for Anesthesiologists is $391,490 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Anesthesiologists?
Employment for Anesthesiologists is projected to change +3.2% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Anesthesiologists?
Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
How many job openings are there each year for Anesthesiologists?
About 1,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.