Career comparison
Anesthesiologist vs. Emergency Medicine Physician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Anesthesiologists earn more at the median ($391,490 vs. $335,550), while emergency medicine physicians usually get to work faster (11–12 years after high school of training). Anesthesiologists keep patients safe and pain-free before, during and after surgery. Emergency medicine physicians diagnose and treat anyone who walks into the emergency room.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Anesthesiologist | Emergency Medicine Physician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $391,490 ($188.22/hr) | $335,550 ($161.32/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $101,460 – $557,130 | $103,610 – $495,910 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.6% (about as fast as average) | +3.2% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 1,100 | 900 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 12–14 years after high school | 11–12 years after high school |
| Key credential | Board certification (ABA) | ABEM board certification |
| Work setting | Anesthesiologists work in operating rooms, labor and delivery, ICUs, surgery centers and pain clinics.. | Emergency physicians work in hospital emergency departments, urgent care and freestanding ERs.. |
What each job does
Anesthesiologist
- Evaluate patients before anesthesia
- Plan and give anesthesia
- Manage airways and breathing
- Monitor vital signs during surgery
- Manage pain after surgery
Emergency Medicine Physician
- Evaluate patients quickly
- Resuscitate critically ill patients
- Perform emergency procedures
- Order and interpret tests
- Treat injuries and acute illness
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, high responsibility, hands-on work, and teamwork. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose anesthesiologist if…
- I love physiology and pharmacology
- I stay calm in emergencies
- I want a top-paying career
Choose emergency medicine physician if…
- I love fast-paced work
- I stay calm in chaos
- I like variety
Still torn? Take the Anesthesiologist fit quiz and the Emergency Medicine Physician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, anesthesiologist or emergency medicine physician?
Anesthesiologists earn more at the median: $391,490 versus $335,550 for emergency medicine physicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Emergency Medicine Physicians typically train faster (11–12 years after high school) than anesthesiologists (12–14 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects anesthesiologists to grow +3.6% from 2025–35, compared with +3.2% for emergency medicine physicians.