As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the role of anesthesiologists remains crucial in ensuring patient safety and comfort during medical procedures. With advancements in medical technology and an aging population, anesthesiologist employment opportunities are expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Whether you’re a medical student considering specialization or a practicing anesthesiologist looking to stay ahead of industry trends, understanding the future landscape of anesthesiology can help you make informed decisions about your career path. Here’s what you need to know about the anesthesiologist job outlook for 2025 and beyond.
Anesthesiologist Employment Opportunities Poised to Increase
Anesthesiologist employment opportunities are projected to grow over the next few years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the total employment of anesthesiologists is projected to increase by 4% from 2023 to 2033, from 36,100 jobs to 37,600.
This positive anesthesiologist job outlook follows the trend for all physicians, as the BLS also projects overall physician employment to grow by 4% between 2023 and 2033.
States with the Highest Anesthesiologist Employment
These five states had the highest employment level of anesthesiologists in 2023, according to the BLS:
- California
- Michigan
- Massachusetts
- New York
- Ohio
Top States for Locum Tenens Anesthesiologist Jobs in 2025
We’ve taken a look at our current job listing data for early 2025 and have seen the most demand for locum tenens anesthesiologists in these five states:
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Maine
- Tennessee
- Massachusetts
Keep in mind that these aren’t the only states in which we have open locum tenens anesthesiology jobs available. These are simply the states we’ve seen increased interest in over the past few months.
Is there an anesthesiologist shortage in the United States?
Yes, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the percentage of medical facilities reporting an anesthesiologist shortage increased from 38% in 2020 to nearly 80% in 2022.
There are a few key reasons for the anesthesiologist shortage:
- Aging Patient Populations
- As the Baby Boomer generation ages, the number of older patients seeking more comprehensive medical care increases, subsequently increasing demand for specialized services like anesthesia.
- Aging Anesthesiologists
- While patients age, many anesthesiologists themselves are older adults, so when they retire, the supply of anesthesiologists dwindles. According to a 2024 paper published in the “Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health,” 45% of anesthesiologists were over the age of 55 in 2020.
- Increased Surgery Demand
- According to a 2023 report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, healthcare organizations in the United States have seen a 19% increase in cosmetic surgery procedures since 2019. While not every cosmetic surgery requires anesthesia, many do, which naturally increases the demand for anesthesiologists. In addition, the number of ambulatory surgery centers in the U.S. has increased by 15% over the past decade.
- Lack of New Anesthesiologists
- According to the 2024 paper in the “Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health,” there is a lack of federal funding for new residency programs for anesthesiologists who have graduated from school. This makes it more difficult for new anesthesiologists to join the workforce.
What can solve the anesthesiologist shortage?
A surefire way to begin combating the anesthesiologist shortage is to increase the number of residency positions for new anesthesiology students.
According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, 44% of medical students seeking anesthesiologist residency positions did not get a match in 2022, which suggests there simply aren’t enough positions to go around.
By increasing the number of graduate medical education (GME) positions in anesthesiology, more anesthesiologists will enter the workforce, potentially balancing the current supply and demand issues.
How can locum tenens providers combat the anesthesiologist shortage?
Locum tenens anesthesiologists are travel healthcare professionals who take on long- or short-term temporary assignments at healthcare facilities experiencing staffing shortages. These specialized physicians can help fill critical gaps in both rural and urban healthcare settings that are grappling with an acute lack of anesthesiologists, ensuring that patients requiring surgical procedures or pain management services receive timely care without being turned away or placed on extended waiting lists.
Locum tenens anesthesiologists are not a permanent solution to the growing anesthesiologist shortage, but they do serve as a valuable temporary measure that maintains continuity of patient care at facilities across the United States. By providing essential anesthesia services, these professionals enable hospitals and surgical centers to continue performing necessary procedures and managing pain effectively.
As the demand for anesthesiologists continues to rise, the locum tenens model offers a flexible solution to address immediate staffing needs. If anesthesiology residency programs are expanded, more anesthesiologists might be drawn to the locum tenens lifestyle, potentially increasing the pool of temporary anesthesiologists willing to travel nationwide to deliver critical care. This could help alleviate staffing pressures and ensure that healthcare facilities can meet the anesthesia needs of their patients, regardless of their location or the complexity of cases they handle.
Find Your Next Locum Tenens Anesthesiologist Job with Wellhart
Are you an anesthesiologist looking to take on the locum tenens lifestyle in 2025? Check out our open jobs and apply today!