Physicians are in demand all over the United States. But what is the job outlook for physicians specializing in anesthesiology? Here’s our guide for what states are the best for anesthesiologists to work in.
Scope of Practice
Generally, anesthesiologists have a broad scope of practice throughout the United States. They have the same practice autonomy as other types of physicians in each state. What the states typically regulate are other positions, like Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAA). Anesthesiologists may also supervise CRNAs and CAAs as part of their practice.
CAAs are not able to practice all over the country. As of right now they are able to practice in 22 states. This can impact how much help anesthesiologists get in their practice.
Anesthesiologist Salary by State
One of the major aspects to look for on your job hunt is compensation, specifically the salary you’d expect from your job. Nationwide, the average anesthesiologist salary is $339,470 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A Medscape report in 2024 however, stated that the average annual earnings for anesthesiologists was $472K. This includes the covered base salary, incentive bonus, and other income.
But this varies greatly by state and experience. Medscape estimates the average salary by city and how many years of experience the anesthesiologists have.
| 1 – 7 Years of Experience: Indianapolis, IN at $347,440 a year Chicago, IL at $325,234 a year Houston, TX at $322,894 a year Dallas, TX at $322,829 a year Los Angeles, CA at $312,927 a year | 8 – 14 Years of Experience: Indianapolis, IN at $448,368 a year Sacramento, CA at $434,360 a year Salt Lake City, UT at $432,850 a year Atlanta, GA at $429,133 a year Kansas City, KS at $427,919 a year |
| 15 – 21 Years of Experience: Salt Lake City, UT at $492,297 a year Oklahoma City, OK at $474,130 a year Sacramento, CA at $461,493 a year San Diego, CA at $461,214 a year San Francisco, CA at $459,036 a year | 22 – 28 Years of Experience: Las Vegas, NV at $476,192 a year Salt Lake City, UT at $471,179 a year Dallas, TX at $463,545 a year Detroit, MI at $461,694 a year Indianapolis, IN at $451,713 a year |
| 29 – 35 Years of Experience: Charlotte, NC at $512,412 a year Las Vegas, NV at $501,030 a year Portland, OR at $498,189 a year Little Rock, AR at $495,549 a year Minneapolis, MN at $493,081 a year | 36+ Years of Experience: Buffalo, NY at $477,328 a year Las Vegas, NV at $473,309 a year Charlotte, NC at $472,339 a year Birmingham, AL at $471,168 a year Minneapolis, MN at $467,926 a year |
Cost of Living
Each of the states mentioned above pays well for anesthesiologists. But this does scale to the prices and cost of living associated with each city.
Indianapolis, IN has a lower cost of living than the national average by about 7%. Housing expenses are 17% lower than the national average, with utility prices being 8% higher. This means that the median home price in Indianapolis is $373,356 but the average energy bill is $190.44 a month.
Sacramento, CA on the other hand, has a 19% higher cost of living than the national average. Housing expenses are 43% higher, making the median home price around $644,355. The utility prices are 6% higher, with energy bills coming out at an average of $187.78 per month. Aspiring anesthesiologists may find the extremely high housing expenses to be a barrier for entering the workforce in California.
Another expensive city mentioned is Salt Lake City, UT. It has a cost of living 8% higher than the national average. Housing prices are also higher at 22%, meaning the median home price is $551,918. The utility prices are 7% lower than the national average with energy bills around $164.27 a month.
Houston, TX has a lower cost of living than the national average, Indiana, and California. The cost of living is 8% lower than the national average. Housing expenses are 18% lower and utility prices are 1% lower.
Cities like Sacramento and Salt Lake City might be attractive because of the high salaries for anesthesiologists. Yet the high cost of living makes it just as financially difficult as cities with a lower salary. Those looking for work should consider each of these aspects, weighing the pros and cons, along with what they are personally willing to handle.
States with a Shortage of Anesthesiologists
The United States has a large shortage of physicians and other healthcare professionals. This is because of a growing and aging population, always needing more healthcare services than before.
The states that find themselves in need of anesthesiologists the most are the ones with high populations. The shortage is most prevalent in California, Texas, and Florida. The population in each of these states is rapidly aging. More and more physicians are growing older and reaching retirement age.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of anesthesiologists will increase by 2.6% from 2022 to 2032. They project around 1,000 job openings for each year over the course of the decade.
Yet, the overbearing physician shortage may overwhelm the projected growth for anesthesiologists. Aspiring anesthesiologists should note the demand for their profession in states like California, Texas, and Florida.
Get started with Wellhart
Ready to find your next locum tenens assignment as an anesthesiologist? View our job board to find open positions. For those interested in anesthesiology and what it entails, check out our guide on how to become an anesthesiologist.
This article was written by Desirae Sin