Anesthesiologist Salary in North Carolina: $431,307 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 43 metropolitan areas, the average median anesthesiologist pay sits at $431,307/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1211. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $460,798 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Charlotte ($441,664), Raleigh ($425,198), Winston-Salem ($417,664).
In 2026, anesthesiologists in North Carolina are projected to earn an average median salary of $431,307, which is 5.4% higher than the national median of $409,107. Charlotte leads the state with a salary of $461,539, while Pinehurst offers the lowest at $390,341, reflecting a significant gap of $71,198. This disparity is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the presence of major hospitals and medical facilities in urban areas like Charlotte and Raleigh. The state has specific licensing requirements that include passing the USMLE or COMLEX exams and obtaining a state medical license. North Carolina also has laws that define the scope of practice for anesthesiologists, impacting job responsibilities and opportunities. As the state's healthcare needs grow, driven by an aging population and increasing surgical procedures, the demand for anesthesiologists is projected to rise, with a growth rate of 4.50% annually. With 894 anesthesiologists currently employed, the market outlook appears favorable. The combination of competitive salaries and increasing demand highlights North Carolina as a state with promising opportunities for anesthesiologists, particularly in its major metropolitan areas.
North Carolina Anesthesiologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $226,398 (lowest entry-level) to $667,211 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina anesthesiologists earn 5.43% more than the national median (+$22,200/year difference).
North Carolina Anesthesiologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Anesthesiologist salaries in North Carolina range from $250,158 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $626,016 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $431,307. The North Carolina median is $22,200 above the US national median of $409,107. The average hourly rate is $207.36/hr. Approximately 894 anesthesiologists are employed across 43 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$316,937
2025 BLS Actual
$412,734
2026 Current Est.
$431,307
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $316,937 | Actual |
| 2020 | $331,199 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $361,678 | Actual |
| 2023 | $377,953 | Actual |
| 2024 | $354,685 | Actual |
| 2025 | $412,734 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $431,307 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $450,716 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $316,937 (2019) to $412,734 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $450,716 by 2027 — a total increase of $133,779 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Pinehurst | $390,341 |
| Leland | $391,069 |
| Carrboro | $396,928 |
| Indian Trail | $398,485 |
| Boone | $401,963 |
Best Value Cities for Anesthesiologists in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for anesthesiologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | $461,539 | 93.6 | $493,097 |
| Raleigh | $444,332 | 93.6 | $474,714 |
| Winston-Salem | $436,459 | 93.6 | $466,302 |
| Durham | $433,960 | 93.6 | $463,632 |
| Greensboro | $433,543 | 93.6 | $463,187 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $250,158 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $431,307 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $626,016 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 43 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte | $461,539 |
| 2 | Raleigh | $444,332 |
| 3 | Winston-Salem | $436,459 |
| 4 | Durham | $433,960 |
| 5 | Greensboro | $433,543 |
| 6 | Concord | $432,305 |
| 7 | Fayetteville | $428,546 |
| 8 | Huntersville | $425,645 |
| 9 | Kannapolis | $424,979 |
| 10 | Apex | $423,978 |
| 11 | Cary | $423,322 |
| 12 | Jacksonville | $423,210 |
| 13 | Wilmington | $420,940 |
| 14 | Chapel Hill | $420,409 |
| 15 | High Point | $418,796 |
| 16 | Statesville | $417,635 |
| 17 | Kernersville | $417,276 |
| 18 | Matthews | $416,296 |
| 19 | Cornelius | $415,577 |
| 20 | Sanford | $415,217 |
| 21 | Wake Forest | $415,206 |
| 22 | Morrisville | $415,021 |
| 23 | Fuquay-Varina | $413,910 |
| 24 | Salisbury | $413,844 |
| 25 | Thomasville | $413,157 |
| 26 | New Bern | $412,994 |
| 27 | Mint Hill | $412,896 |
| 28 | Burlington | $412,605 |
| 29 | Hickory | $411,948 |
| 30 | Greenville | $411,304 |
| 31 | Asheville | $410,803 |
| 32 | Rocky Mount | $409,035 |
| 33 | Gastonia | $408,035 |
| 34 | Holly Springs | $406,361 |
| 35 | Mooresville | $405,086 |
| 36 | Monroe | $404,923 |
| 37 | Garner | $404,007 |
| 38 | Wilson | $403,714 |
| 39 | Boone | $401,963 |
| 40 | Indian Trail | $398,485 |
| 41 | Carrboro | $396,928 |
| 42 | Leland | $391,069 |
| 43 | Pinehurst | $390,341 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore anesthesiologist hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced anesthesiologists.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Anesthesiologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do anesthesiologists make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for anesthesiologists in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina anesthesiologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level anesthesiologist salary in North Carolina?
How many anesthesiologists are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for anesthesiologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 anesthesiologist compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 43 metro areas — larger metro areas with more anesthesiologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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