Healthcare career

Anesthesiologist

Also called: Anesthesia Physician · Pain Medicine Physician · Critical Care Anesthesiologist · MD Anesthesiologist

What anesthesiologists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does an anesthesiologist do?

Anesthesiologists are physicians who give anesthesia, manage pain and monitor vital functions during surgery and procedures, and lead anesthesia care teams. The median pay is $391,490 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 12–14 years after high school, and employment is projected to grow +3.6% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $391,490
    $188.22/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +3.6%
    2025–35, about as fast as average
  • Openings per year
    1,100
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Doctoral or professional degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    12–14 years after high school
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    41,500
    Employment, 2025

What anesthesiologists do

Anesthesiologists protect patients during surgery. They evaluate patients beforehand, choose and give anesthesia, manage airways and breathing, control blood pressure and fluids, respond to emergencies in the operating room, and manage pain after surgery. Many supervise nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologist assistants; others specialize in pain medicine, critical care, pediatric or cardiac anesthesia.

They complete medical school (MD or DO), a four-year anesthesiology residency and often a fellowship, then earn a state medical license and board certification. Anesthesiologists are among the highest-paid occupations BLS tracks.

Typical duties

  • Evaluate patients before anesthesia
  • Plan and give anesthesia
  • Manage airways and breathing
  • Monitor vital signs during surgery
  • Manage pain after surgery
  • Respond to emergencies
  • Supervise anesthesia care teams

Work environment and schedule

Anesthesiologists work in operating rooms, labor and delivery, ICUs, surgery centers and pain clinics.

Schedule: Days start early, and many anesthesiologists take overnight and weekend call.

A day in the life

  1. Review the day’s surgical cases.
  2. Meet the first patient and confirm consent.
  3. Induce anesthesia for heart surgery.
  4. Supervise two nurse anesthetists.

See a full day in the life of an anesthesiologist →

Anesthesiologist salary

Half of anesthesiologists earned more than $391,490 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $101,460 for the lowest 10% to $557,130 for the top 10%.

Full anesthesiologist pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become an anesthesiologist

  1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
  2. Complete medical school
  3. Complete anesthesiology residency
  4. Pass board exams
  5. Consider a fellowship

Medical school (MD or DO), a four-year anesthesiology residency and a state medical license are required; many complete a fellowship.

Step-by-step guide to becoming an anesthesiologist →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Anesthesia pharmacology
  • Airway management
  • Critical care
  • Regional anesthesia
  • Hemodynamic management

People skills

  • Calm under pressure
  • Vigilance
  • Leadership
  • Communication

All anesthesiologist skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Among the highest-paid jobs
  • High-impact patient safety role
  • Many subspecialties
  • Team leadership

Cons

  • Very long training
  • High-stress emergencies
  • Call and long days
  • Large education debt

Certifications and licenses

  • Board certification (ABA): American Board of Anesthesiology.
  • State medical license: Required to practice.
  • DEA registration: To prescribe controlled substances.
  • Pain medicine or critical care subspecialty: Fellowship certification.

Career path

  1. Resident: Train.
  2. Attending Anesthesiologist: Practice.
  3. Fellowship-Trained Specialist: Pain, cardiac or pediatric.
  4. Department Chair: Lead anesthesia services.

Learn the job before day one

Our Anesthesiologist training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as conduct a preoperative evaluation and run an operating room crisis, safety and how to land your first job.

View Anesthesiologist trainingIs this career right for me?

Nurse Anesthetist

Give anesthesia and keep patients safe during surgery and procedures.

  • $236,590
  • 7–8+ years including RN and ICU experience

Surgical Technologist

Prepare the operating room, keep the sterile field and pass instruments to surgeons.

  • $64,650
  • 12–24 months

Registered Nurse

Assess patients, give treatments, coordinate care and educate families.

  • $97,550
  • 2–4 years

Compare: Anesthesiologist vs. CRNA · Anesthesiologist vs. Surgical Tech · Anesthesiologist vs. RN · Anesthesiologist vs. ER Doctor

Anesthesiologist FAQ

How long does it take to become an anesthesiologist?

About 12–14 years after high school.

What’s the difference between an anesthesiologist and a CRNA?

Anesthesiologists are physicians; CRNAs are advanced practice nurses. Both give anesthesia.

Do anesthesiologists work nights?

Many take overnight and weekend call.

How much does an anesthesiologist make?

The median annual wage for anesthesiologists was $391,490 ($188.22 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $101,460 and the highest 10% earned more than $557,130.

How long does it take to become an anesthesiologist?

Most people need about 12–14 years after high school of training. Medical school (MD or DO), a four-year anesthesiology residency and a state medical license are required; many complete a fellowship.

Do you need a degree to be an anesthesiologist?

Yes. BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry-level education, and you also need a state license to practice.

More anesthesiologist questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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