What Anesthesiologists do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Anesthesiologists this way: "Administer anesthetics and analgesics for pain management prior to, during, or after surgery."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Administer anesthetic or sedation during medical procedures, using local, intravenous, spinal, or caudal methods"; "Monitor patient before, during, and after anesthesia and counteract adverse reactions or complications"; "Provide and maintain life support and airway management and help prepare patients for emergency surgery"; "Record type and amount of anesthesia and patient condition throughout procedure"; "Examine patient, obtain medical history, and use diagnostic tests to determine risk during surgical, obstetrical, and other medical procedures".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is doctoral or professional degree. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is internship/residency.
Job outlook for Anesthesiologists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 41,500 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 43,000 in 2035, an increase of 1,500 jobs (+3.6%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 1,100 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 2.7% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $391,490, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Anesthesiologists earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $458,918 in New York to $460,800 in New Jersey, a gap of $1,882 (1.00 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $391,490 and 0 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 7,690, which is 52.1% of the 14,770 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 7,080.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($460,800) and New York ($458,918) lead the ranking, while New York ($458,918) and New Jersey ($460,800) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Anesthesiologists
General Internal Medicine Physicians belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (29-1000) include Dentists, General, Pharmacists, Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners.
Frequently asked questions about Anesthesiologists
What is the national median wage for Anesthesiologists?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $391,490. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $458,918 to $460,800.
Which state pays Anesthesiologists the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $460,800. New York is next at $458,918.
What is the job outlook for Anesthesiologists?
BLS projects employment to grow by 3.6% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 1,100 openings a year.
What education do Anesthesiologists need?
The typical entry-level education is doctoral or professional degree and internship/residency, according to BLS.