Anesthesiologist Salary 2026: Advertised W-2 Pay by State (Q1)

Advertised W-2 salaries for anesthesiologists remained highly competitive during Q1 2026. Among jurisdictions with reported data, state averages frequently exceeded $530,000, while the highest advertised maximums reached $1,000,000.

This report is based on annual salary figures published in anesthesiologist job postings. It is not a salary survey or an estimate of what every anesthesiologist earns. It is a practical view of the compensation employers chose to advertise during the reporting period.

Advertised salary is only part of an anesthesiologist's total compensation. Call pay, overtime, shift differentials, bonuses, retirement contributions, and other incentives may increase total earnings. Candidates should also confirm whether an employer's stated maximum represents base salary or potential total earnings.

Q1 2026 Advertised Anesthesiologist Salary Data

The table includes the 47 jurisdictions with salary data reported in the source publication.

For each posting, the midpoint of the advertised minimum and maximum salary contributes to the state average. The Lowest Min and Highest Max columns show the lowest minimum and highest maximum reported among qualifying postings in that jurisdiction.

Key Trends in Q1 2026 Anesthesiologist Advertised Salaries

1. North Dakota Leads the Reported Multi-Posting Averages

The source report identifies Alaska as the highest state average at $850,000, but notes that Alaska had only one data point. Excluding that single-observation result, North Dakota has the highest reported average at $633,333, followed by Louisiana at $605,769 and Illinois at $571,036.

These figures reflect the positions advertised during the reporting period, not guaranteed statewide pay levels. The source publication does not provide posting counts for the other jurisdictions, so differences in sample size should be considered when comparing averages.

2. Advertised Maximums Reach $1,000,000

Arizona and Indiana show the highest advertised maximums at $1,000,000. Illinois follows at $975,000, while California and Nevada each reach $950,000.

Seven-figure maximums can be associated with specialized practice, heavy call obligations, additional shifts, or incentive-based compensation. Candidates should ask employers to separate guaranteed base salary from call pay, productivity incentives, bonuses, and other variable compensation.

3. High Salary Floors Appear in Recruitment-Challenged Markets

Excluding Alaska's single data point, New Hampshire has the highest reported salary floor at $525,000, followed by North Dakota at $500,000. Several other jurisdictions—including Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont—show lowest advertised minimums of $450,000.

A high advertised minimum can be a strong negotiating benchmark, but it may also reflect call intensity, a hard-to-recruit location, specialized clinical needs, or other job requirements.

4. Salary Ranges Vary Widely Within Some States

The widest reported ranges appear in Indiana, from $300,000 to $1,000,000, and Illinois, from $300,000 to $975,000. California ranges from $330,000 to $950,000, while Nevada ranges from $400,000 to $950,000.

Wide ranges may reflect very different schedules, practice settings, subspecialties, call burdens, or compensation structures within the same state. A statewide average should be treated as a starting point for deeper job-by-job comparison.

What Anesthesiologists Should Compare Beyond Salary

Advertised base salary is only one part of an anesthesiologist job offer. Candidates should also compare:

• Call frequency, in-house coverage, and post-call expectations
• Case mix, acuity, and subspecialty requirements
• Clinical hours, overtime terms, and additional shift rates
• Practice model, staffing structure, and supervision expectations
• Paid time off, health benefits, and retirement contributions
• Sign-on bonuses, retention incentives, and relocation assistance
• Malpractice coverage, including whether tail coverage is provided
• Cost of living and state tax differences

A higher salary may reflect a more demanding schedule or a difficult recruiting environment. Review the complete compensation package and working conditions before deciding which opportunity provides the strongest overall value.

How to Read This Report

The source publication states that it captured each posting's advertised minimum and maximum annual salary, calculated the midpoint for that listing, and averaged posting midpoints within each jurisdiction. The article preserves the 47 jurisdictions and salary figures published in the report.

The source does not provide state-level posting counts, apart from noting that Alaska had one data point. It also does not identify which jurisdictions had no qualifying data. A jurisdiction omitted from the table should not be interpreted as having no anesthesiologist jobs or a lower salary market.

This report focuses on advertised W-2 salary. Call pay, overtime, shift differentials, bonuses, and other incentives may not be captured consistently. Confirm the guaranteed base salary and the conditions attached to any advertised maximum directly with the employer.

Find Your Next Anesthesiologist Opportunity

Use this report as a starting point for comparing advertised pay and preparing questions for employers and recruiters.

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