Anesthesiologist Pay

Entry-Level Anesthesiologist Salary in Virginia Beach, VA: $41,967 (2026)

Quick Answer:New anesthesiologists entering the Virginia Beach, VA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $41,967 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1211, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Virginia Beach's local price level (BEA RPP 97.92% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,849 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($523,535) within a few years of clinical practice.

$41,967
Starting Salary
$20.18/hr
Starting Hourly
$41,967
Entry Level
$523,535
Career Median Target

Official BLS data · View source

Anesthesiologist Entry Level Salary in Virginia Beach, VA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Virginia Beach, VA anesthesiologist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

The compensation landscape for entry-level anesthesiologists in Virginia Beach shows promising figures for newly minted graduates in 2026. Starting salaries can be as low as $41,967 at the 10th percentile, which might seem daunting when juxtaposed against a median annual salary of $523,535 for more experienced professionals in the area. However, there is a realistic growth trajectory for new graduates. Within the first few years, many can expect to see their earnings rise as they reach, or even surpass, the 25th percentile figure of $215,970, reflecting a potential pathway to the city's median in the medium term. Overall, Virginia Beach currently presents a solid market for new anesthesiologist graduates with its healthy pay scales and positive growth potential.

Career Earnings Timeline in Virginia Beach

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$41,967/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$215,970/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$523,535/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$530,338/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Virginia Beach

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for anesthesiologists in Virginia Beach. The median salary is $523,535, compared to the national median of $409,107.$37.8K$167.5K$297.3K$427.1K$556.9K$42.0K10th Pctl$216.0K25th Pctl$523.5KMedian$530.3K75th Pctl$530.3K90th PctlUS Median$409.1K

Entry-level anesthesiologists in Virginia Beach, VA typically start between $41,967 and $215,970 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $488,371 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $523,53527.97% above the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of anesthesiologist pay in the Virginia Beach metro area.

Return on Investment

$280,000
Avg VA Program Cost
$41,967
Starting Salary
667.19%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
6.7 yrs
Payback Estimate

The average anesthesiology program cost in Virginia of $280,000 represents just 667.19% of the starting anesthesiologist pay ($41,967/year) in Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach

  • 1Research the Virginia Beach market: entry-level anesthesiologist pay ranges from $41,967 to $215,970, 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 VA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Virginia Beach'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 Virginia Beach is $488,371 ( 1163.70%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $41,967, experienced hygienists can earn up to $530,338.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$129,010

2025 BLS Actual

$40,160

2026 Current Est.

$41,967

2019–2027 Growth

+-66.0%

Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Virginia Beach (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for anesthesiologists in Virginia Beach. Baseline $129,010 in 2025, projected to $43,856 by 2027.$-4,327$55.1K$114.5K$174.0K$233.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$129.0K$53.9K$46.5K$29.6K$33.6K$199.4K$40.2K$42.0K$43.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$129,010Actual
2020$53,903Actual
2021$46,545Actual
2022$29,631Actual
2023$33,621Actual
2024$199,420Actual
2025$40,160Actual
2026(current)$41,967Estimated
2027$43,856Projected

Entry-level anesthesiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Virginia Beach, VA grew -68.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $129,010 in 2019 to $40,160 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $43,856. New graduates entering the Virginia Beach job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Virginia Beach

In Virginia Beach, various institutions and practices actively recruit fresh graduates for anesthesiology positions, making it an attractive location for entry-level opportunities. Academic medical centers typically provide a wide variety of cases including cardiac, pediatric, and transplant anesthesiology, offering excellent exposure for new grads. Large group practices often seek new residents as they can integrate them into partnership tracks that may culminate after 2-3 years of employment. New grads favor outpatient surgery centers for their lifestyle benefits and predictable hours, generally without the demands of on-call shifts. To improve starting pay in Virginia, credentials like an MD or DO degree, a completed anesthesiology residency, and board certification from the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) are essential, with many also pursuing optional fellowships. Given the significant divergence in compensation models since the consolidation wave, early-career anesthesiologists should weigh opportunities between hospital-employed positions versus private group practices. Realistically, first-year salaries in Virginia Beach can be lower than the median, but strategic career moves and obtaining board certification will pave a lucrative path as these professionals advance in their careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for anesthesiologists in Virginia Beach in 2026?

Entry-level anesthesiologists in Virginia Beach start at approximately $41,967/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.50% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $20.18/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do anesthesiologist salaries grow in Virginia Beach?

Most anesthesiologists in Virginia Beach progress from the entry-level salary of $41,967 to the area median of $523,535 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $530,338 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is anesthesiology school worth it in Virginia Beach?

With a starting salary of $41,967/year in Virginia Beach and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new anesthesiologists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new anesthesiologists make right out of school in Virginia Beach?

New anesthesiology graduates in Virginia Beach typically start near the 10th percentile at $41,967/year, or approximately $20.18/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a anesthesiologist in Virginia?

To become a licensed anesthesiologist in Virginia, you typically need doctor of medicine (md) or doctor of osteopathy (do) degree and completion of a residency in anesthesiology., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Virginia, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some anesthesiologists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Virginia

MC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Raj Patel, MDData verified by Dr. Amina Khan, MD

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 Virginia Beach. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.

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

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