Anesthesiologist Salary in Watertown, MA: $512,631 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in Watertown, MA earns a median $512,631/year (≈ $246.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in Watertown's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $472,471 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Watertown, Massachusetts, anesthesiologists can expect a median annual salary of $512,631 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $409,107. This substantial compensation reflects the competitive nature of the market, where salaries range from $297,325 at the 10th percentile to $688,665 at the 90th percentile. Estimates from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments indicate that anesthesiologist pay in Watertown is about 25.30% more than the national average. As local healthcare facilities continue to evolve, the choice between W-2 employment with hospital systems and partnerships in private groups remains critical, influencing overall earnings and job satisfaction.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($410,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $297,325 | $142.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $369,094 | $177.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $512,631 | $246.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $623,279 | $299.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $688,665 | $331.09 |
Median Salary Position
25.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Watertown
In Watertown, MA, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $391,340 (2026 est.). At $512,631, the local median is 25.3% above the national median of $409,107.
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At 40 hours/week in Watertown: You'd be above the median
How Watertown Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
Watertown median: $512,631/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Watertown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $519,383 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $409,107 | +25.30% more |
Anesthesiologists in Watertown, MA earn a median of $512,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.30% higher than the national median of $409,107 and 1.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $519,383.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Watertown has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Watertown, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $512,631 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $472,471 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$376,696
2025 BLS Actual
$490,556
2026 Current Est.
$512,631
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $376,696 | Actual |
| 2020 | $393,647 | Actual |
| 2021 | $411,361 | Actual |
| 2022 | $429,873 | Actual |
| 2023 | $449,217 | Actual |
| 2024 | $439,082 | Actual |
| 2025 | $490,556 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $512,631 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $535,699 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Watertown metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $376,696 (2019) to $490,556 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $535,699 by 2027 — a total increase of $159,003 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Watertown 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) | $297,325 – $369,094 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $369,094 – $512,631 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $512,631 – $623,279 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $623,279 – $688,665 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in Watertown
The local job market is relatively small, employing seven anesthesiologists, which can create both opportunities and challenges. Watertown's cost of living index is 108.5, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power may be impacted for those coming from lower-cost areas. Typically, hospital systems tend to offer more predictable salaries, while private anesthesia group practices may deliver higher compensation through equity and performance-based bonuses. Variability in pay can also arise from factors like case volume, the burden of on-call shifts, and fellowship subspecialties. For those looking to maximize their anesthesiologist pay in Watertown, engaging in negotiation regarding RVU bonuses and partnership equity, as well as exploring locum tenens opportunities, could yield significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Watertown, MA:
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 $490,556 for anesthesiologistsin the Watertown 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 Watertown 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