Entry-Level Anesthesiologist Salary (2026): What New Attending Anesthesiologists Make

The 10th percentile of BLS wage data for anesthesiology approximates new attending anesthesiologists in their first 1–2 years post-residency — though many private practice partnership-track positions and fellowship-trained subspecialty roles substantially exceed the P10 figure. Nationally, P10 sits at $218,655 ($105.12/hour) for 2026, but actual new attending offers in 2026 typically range $300,000–$450,000 base depending on practice structure (academic vs hospital-employed vs private partnership track vs locum).

What New Attendings Actually Earn (Year 1)

• Private practice partnership track (top tier) — equity partnership-track positions at mature anesthesia groups (USAP, NorthStar Anesthesia, MEDNAX / Pediatrix, NAPA, American Anesthesiology, Anesthesia Care Associates) typically start $400,000–$550,000 in year 1 with partnership buy-in at year 2–3 unlocking $500,000–$1,500,000+ at maturity.
• Hospital-employed anesthesiologist new attending — competitive W-2 with strong benefits. $350,000–$450,000 base plus shift differentials, call structure, retention bonuses.
• Academic medical center new attending — Mass General, Cleveland Clinic, Stanford, UCSF, UCLA, Johns Hopkins, Penn Medicine, Mayo. $250,000–$350,000 base — 20–40% below private practice partnership but with research / teaching engagement and PSLF eligibility.
• ASC anesthesia new attending — ambulatory surgery center. No-call schedule with $300,000–$400,000 base. Rapidly growing segment.
• Locum tenens new attending — contract assignments at $250–$420/hour plus travel, housing, malpractice covered. Annualized $400,000–$700,000+. Strong path for new attendings deciding on long-term practice setting.
• Pain medicine fellowship-trained (top tier) — interventional pain medicine fellows command top of anesthesia distribution. Private pain clinic income $400,000–$700,000+.
• Cardiothoracic / neuro / pediatric anesthesia fellowship-trained — premium at academic cardiac surgery programs (Cleveland Clinic, Texas Heart, Methodist DeBakey, Mass General, Stanford, UCSF, Mayo) and children's hospitals.
• VA federal anesthesiologist new attending — federal employment with pension and PSLF. Strong total comp at senior federal levels.

Private Practice Partnership Track Structure

• Partnership-track year 1–2 — employed at partner-track salary ($350,000–$500,000 base). Strong demand from PE-backed groups for new attendings.
• Equity buy-in year 2–3 — partnership buy-in typically structured as forgivable loan or earned over time.
• Equity partner economics (year 4+) — $500,000–$1,500,000+ at mature groups depending on group productivity and partner share structure.
• Major PE-backed groups — USAP (United States Anesthesia Partners), NorthStar Anesthesia, MEDNAX / Pediatrix, NAPA (North American Partners in Anesthesia), American Anesthesiology, Anesthesia Care Associates, Resolute Anesthesia, OnPoint Medical Group.
• PE consolidation states (heavy) — Texas, Florida, Arizona, North Carolina, Tennessee, California, Georgia.
• Independent / non-PE private practice — rare and increasingly hard to find at new attending entry. Most independent groups acquired by PE.

Fellowship Subspecialty Selection

• Pain medicine fellowship (ACGME-accredited) — 1-year fellowship after anesthesia residency. Top of subspecialty distribution. Private interventional pain clinic income substantial. Strong demand at academic and private pain centers.
• Cardiothoracic anesthesia fellowship — premium at cardiac surgery programs (Cleveland Clinic, Texas Heart Institute, Methodist DeBakey, Mass General, Stanford, UCSF, Mayo).
• Pediatric anesthesia fellowship — premium at children's hospitals (CHOP, Boston Children's, Texas Children's, Children's LA, Lurie Chicago, Cincinnati Children's, Seattle Children's, St. Jude).
• Obstetric anesthesia fellowship — premium at high-volume L&D centers.
• Neuroanesthesia fellowship — premium at neurosurgery-heavy academic centers.
• Regional anesthesia / acute pain fellowship — premium at orthopedic surgery centers.
• Transplant anesthesia fellowship — premium at transplant centers.
• Critical care medicine (ICU) fellowship — anesthesia intensivist track.

Year-by-Year Progression Post-Residency

• Year 0–1 (new attending P10–P25) — $218,655 approximates BLS P10. New attendings at $300,000–$450,000 actual depending on practice.
• Year 1–3 (partnership track if private) — $350,000–$500,000 base before equity buy-in.
• Year 3–5 (post-buy-in equity partner) — $500,000–$900,000+ at mature private groups.
• Year 5+ (senior partner) — $700,000–$1,500,000+ at mature private practices. Additional administrative supplements for managing partners.
• Subspecialty fellowship-trained (pain / cardiac / neuro / peds) — premium across all career stages.
• Hospital-employed senior anesthesiologist — $400,000–$700,000 at year 5+.
• Academic full professor / division chief — $400,000–$700,000+ with administrative supplements.

2026 New Attending Anesthesiologist Salary Outlook

Entry-level anesthesiologist salary has grown at a compound annual rate of 4.50% nationally over the past five years — driven by sustained anesthesia provider shortage, post-pandemic surgical volume recovery and growth, expanding ASC anesthesia (rapidly growing outpatient surgical volume), aggressive PE-backed private practice consolidation, growing pain medicine and interventional pain demand, ongoing No Surprises Act / OON billing dynamics. The BLS projects anesthesiologist employment growth at 1% through 2033, with very strong upward pay pressure on starting offers.