Entry-Level Anesthesiologist Salary in Auburn, ME: $222,091 (2026)
Quick Answer:New anesthesiologists entering the Auburn, ME job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $222,091 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1211, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Auburn's local price level (BEA RPP 99.6 — 0% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $222,983 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($382,915) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the anesthesiology field in Auburn, Maine, the entry-level anesthesiologist salary is projected to start at around $222,091 in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the median annual salary of $382,915 for anesthesiologists in the city, highlighting a nearly $160,000 gap that aspiring professionals can expect as they begin their careers. However, salaries can improve rapidly in the first few years, with the opportunity to move from $222,091 at the 10th percentile to $275,699 at the 25th percentile, demonstrating the potential for salary growth as experience is gained. Given the steady growth trajectory of 4.50% annually, Auburn presents a relatively stable market for new grad anesthesiologists seeking opportunities to expand both their professional skills and income in the coming years.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($355,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Auburn
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
Entry-level anesthesiologists in Auburn, ME typically start between $222,091 and $275,699 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $275,541 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $382,915 — 6.4% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average anesthesiology program cost in Maine of $340,000 represents just 153.09% of the starting anesthesiologist pay ($222,091/year) in Auburn. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AAMC tuition reports for LCME-accredited MD programs and COCA-accredited DO programs, plus ACGME-accredited anesthesiology residency data. Totals include 4 years of medical school tuition, fees, and living expenses; residency is salaried but adds opportunity cost. Actual debt varies widely by public vs. private institution and state residency status.
ANES Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Auburn
- 1Research the Auburn market: entry-level anesthesiologist pay ranges from $222,091 to $275,699, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the anesthesiology field — employers in ME often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Auburn, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Auburn for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Auburn's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Anesthesiologist Compensation Range
The anesthesiologist wage spread in Auburn is $275,541 ( 124.07%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $222,091, experienced hygienists can earn up to $497,632.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$259,909
2025 BLS Actual
$212,527
2026 Current Est.
$222,091
2019–2027 Growth
+-10.7%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $259,909 | Actual |
| 2020 | $285,255 | Actual |
| 2021 | $246,314 | Actual |
| 2022 | $156,808 | Actual |
| 2023 | $177,923 | Actual |
| 2024 | $192,718 | Actual |
| 2025 | $212,527 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $222,091 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $232,085 | Projected |
Entry-level anesthesiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Auburn, ME grew -18.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $259,909 in 2019 to $212,527 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $232,085. New graduates entering the Auburn job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your anesthesiology Career in Auburn
Several key employers in Auburn, ME, specifically hire new graduate anesthesiologists, with academic medical centers being prime options available to newly licensed physicians. These institutions typically offer a diverse range of cases, including complex specialties like cardiac and pediatric anesthesia. Large group practices present another viable avenue for recent graduates, often recruiting directly from residency and providing partnerships within a few years. For those prioritizing work-life balance, outpatient surgery centers tend to require less on-call duty, making them an appealing choice. To enhance starting pay in this competitive field, obtaining board certification from the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) through MOCA is crucial, along with maintaining appropriate state and DEA registrations. In the initial years, new anesthesiologists can expect their pay to evolve based on the practice model they join; compensation has been significantly impacted by the consolidation of hospital-owned vs. private equity practices since the 2010s. This landscape makes understanding potential employer structures critical for long-term career strategy and compensation growth.
More salary data for Auburn, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for anesthesiologists in Auburn in 2026?
How fast do anesthesiologist salaries grow in Auburn?
Is anesthesiology school worth it in Auburn?
What do new anesthesiologists make right out of school in Auburn?
How do I become a anesthesiologist in Maine?
Related Pages
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Written by Dr. Maria Chen, MD
Career Analyst
Dr. Chen has over 10 years of experience in anesthesiology. She specializes in perioperative care at a major metropolitan hospital.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new anesthesiology graduates. A 4.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Auburn. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Auburn is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for anesthesiologists (SOC 29-1211).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Maria Chen, MD, a licensed anesthesiologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov