Anesthesiologist Salary in Bethesda, MD: $431,900 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in Bethesda, MD earns a median $431,900/year (≈ $207.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in Bethesda's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $395,151 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Anesthesiologists in Bethesda, Maryland can expect a median annual salary of $431,900 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $409,107 by approximately 5.57%. The entire salary range for this specialty is notably broad, stretching from $250,502 at the 10th percentile to $620,891 at the 90th percentile. Factors such as call burden gradients—wherein those working fewer on-call shifts may command higher pay—significantly contribute to this variance. These estimates have been derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflecting the competitive nature of Bethesda's job market for anesthesiologists, where compensation aligns closely with the increasing demand for medical professionals in this affluent area.
About the Bethesda Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($395,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $250,502 | $120.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $310,968 | $149.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $431,900 | $207.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $546,822 | $262.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $620,891 | $298.50 |
Median Salary Position
5.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bethesda
In Bethesda, MD, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $370,389 (2026 est.). At $431,900, the local median is 5.57% above the national median of $409,107.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bethesda: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bethesda Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
Bethesda median: $431,900/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bethesda Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $447,101 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $409,107 | +5.57% more |
Anesthesiologists in Bethesda, MD earn a median of $431,900 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.57% higher than the national median of $409,107 and 3.40% below the Maryland state average of $447,101.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bethesda has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bethesda, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $431,900 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $395,151 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$317,372
2025 BLS Actual
$413,301
2026 Current Est.
$431,900
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Bethesda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $317,372 | Actual |
| 2020 | $331,654 | Actual |
| 2021 | $346,578 | Actual |
| 2022 | $362,174 | Actual |
| 2023 | $378,472 | Actual |
| 2024 | $417,006 | Actual |
| 2025 | $413,301 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $431,900 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $451,335 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bethesda metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $317,372 (2019) to $413,301 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $451,335 by 2027 — a total increase of $133,963 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bethesda 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $250,502 – $310,968 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $310,968 – $431,900 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $431,900 – $546,822 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $546,822 – $620,891 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in Bethesda
With only 18 anesthesiologists practicing in Bethesda, the local job market is relatively tight, which can drive salaries upward due to competition among employers. However, the cost of living index, rated at 109.3, implies that take-home purchasing power may be affected despite appealing pay rates. Leading employers—such as prominent hospital systems, private anesthesia groups offering partnership tracks, and academic medical centers—tend to provide the highest compensation packages, often shaped by factors like case volume, subspecialty fellowships, and clinical productivity bonuses. The spread between lower and higher salaries often relates to individual practice models, with W-2 hospital employment generally differing greatly from 1099 independent contractor arrangements. To maximize earnings in this unique market, anesthesiologists should consider negotiating terms related to call burdens and seek opportunities for equity in private practices, particularly in settings that offer greater autonomy and higher case volumes.
More salary data for Bethesda, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $413,301 for anesthesiologistsin the Bethesda metropolitan area. A 4.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bethesda 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