Life As an Anesthesiologist
Job Description & Duties Physicians who administer anesthetics prior to, during, or after surgery or other medical procedures.
What Do Anesthesiologists Do On a Daily Basis?
- Manage anesthesiological services, coordinating them with other medical activities and formulating plans and procedures.
- Confer with other medical professionals to determine type and method of anesthetic or sedation to render patient insensible to pain.
- Administer anesthetic or sedation during medical procedures, using local, intravenous, spinal, or caudal methods.
- Order laboratory tests, x-rays, and other diagnostic procedures.
- Provide medical care and consultation in many settings, prescribing medication and treatment and referring patients for surgery.
- Decide when patients have recovered or stabilized enough to be sent to another room or ward or to be sent home following outpatient surgery.
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Things an Anesthesiologist Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Anesthesiologists say are important on the job.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Related Job Titles
- Obstetrical Anesthesiologist
- Anaesthesiologist
- Anesthesia Associate
- Medical Doctor (MD)
- Anesthesia Director
Job Demand for Anesthesiologists
In the United States, there were 33,000 jobs for Anesthesiologist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 15.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5,100 new jobs for Anesthesiologist by 2026. There will be an estimated 1,400 positions for Anesthesiologist per year.

The states with the most job growth for Anesthesiologist are Alaska, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, South Dakota, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Anesthesiologist Average Salary
The salary for Anesthesiologists ranges between about $133,080 and $208,000 a year.

Anesthesiologists who work in Alabama, Alaska, or Arizona, make the highest salaries.
How much do Anesthesiologists make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $208,000 |
Alaska | $208,000 |
Arizona | $279,160 |
Arkansas | $229,760 |
California | $288,420 |
Colorado | $270,180 |
Connecticut | $270,210 |
District of Columbia | $208,000 |
Florida | $280,390 |
Georgia | $224,300 |
Hawaii | $208,000 |
Idaho | $256,450 |
Illinois | $261,300 |
Indiana | $277,000 |
Iowa | $208,000 |
Kansas | $208,000 |
Kentucky | $278,590 |
Louisiana | $208,000 |
Maine | $208,000 |
Maryland | $208,000 |
Massachusetts | $205,960 |
Michigan | $261,310 |
Minnesota | $208,000 |
Mississippi | $208,000 |
Missouri | $250,180 |
Montana | $208,000 |
Nebraska | $290,470 |
Nevada | $256,120 |
New Hampshire | $208,000 |
New Jersey | $208,000 |
New York | $255,500 |
North Carolina | $285,730 |
North Dakota | $273,120 |
Ohio | $285,000 |
Oklahoma | $278,690 |
Oregon | $208,000 |
Pennsylvania | $278,010 |
South Carolina | $254,420 |
South Dakota | $293,110 |
Tennessee | $262,070 |
Texas | $260,690 |
Utah | $214,730 |
Vermont | $257,240 |
Washington | $268,580 |
West Virginia | $281,000 |
Wisconsin | $257,450 |
Wyoming | $215,910 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Anesthesiologists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Anesthesiologists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- MEDITECH software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- EDImis Anesthesia Manager
- Skyscape AnesthesiaDrugs
- AetherPalm InfusiCalc
- Drug database software
How to Become an Anesthesiologist
Individuals working as an Anesthesiologist have obtained the following education levels:

How Long Does it Take to Become an Anesthesiologist?

Who Employs Anesthesiologists?

The table below shows the approximate number of Anesthesiologists employed by various industries.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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