Anesthesiologist Salary: Your Guide to 2023 (2023)

Anesthetist Salary: Your Guide to 2023

Anesthesiologists are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) trained to administer anesthetics for pain control and work with a wide range of healthcare professionals, from surgeons to anesthesiologists, dentists and other registered nurses. You can also work in various medical settings such as ambulatory care centers, hospitals, emergency rooms, doctor's offices, and military bases.

What exactly does an anesthetist do?

An anesthesiologist administers anesthetics or medications that prevent pain or relieve anxiety in people before undergoing a medical procedure, surgery, or childbirth. Anesthesia nurses also monitor patients' vital signs during and after anesthesia. They may also administer anesthesia to treat and relieve chronic pain as part of a pain management plan. These advanced office nurses also perform these functions:

• Before the procedure, meet with the patient to review all medical history, perform a physical exam, and educate the patient about the risks associated with anesthesia.

• Monitor a patient's vital signs during and after a procedure or surgery.

• Stay with a patient after a procedure to support recovery and monitor vital signs and well-being.

• Determine the dose, method, and type of medication needed based on the individual patient and the duration and type of procedure.

• Develop strategies and plans for pain management.

Anesthesiologists may work with a variety of healthcare professionals, from surgeons to anesthesiologists, dentists, and other registered nurses. You can also work in various medical settings such as ambulatory care centers, hospitals, emergency rooms, doctor's offices, and military bases.

Sometimes the duties of a nurse anesthetist vary slightly depending on where they work. It is also important to note that an anesthesiologist is not an anesthetist. An anesthetist is a doctor who specializes in anesthesia without a nursing background.

How much does an anesthesiologist earn?

An anesthesiologist working in the US earns an average of $202,470 per year, or about $97.34 per hour[1]. This is the average annual salary for anesthesiologists. Nurse anesthesiologists are among the highest paying roles in nursing. Anesthesiologist income varies by employer, years of experience, location, and more.

US News ranks nurse anesthetist as one of the top 10 highest-paying jobs in the top 100 jobs in the 2022 highest-paying jobs list.2] The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 40% job growth for this career over the next decade, with approximately 30,200 job openings for each year in this decade[3]. Professional nurses and midwives and other advanced nursing professionals are also included in these projections.

Several factors affect how much an anesthetist earns. These factors include employment status, employer, degree, and any additional training and certifications they may have.

How can I qualify as an anesthesiologist?

To qualify as an anesthetist, you must meet the necessary criteria for education, training, licensure, and certification. Qualifications vary by state and even by employer. Here are seven basic steps to becoming an anesthesiologist.

1. Earn your bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) or associate's degree in nursing (ADN).

2. Earn your Registered Nurse (RN) license by passing the National Council for RN Licensing Examinations (NCLEX-RN) and meeting all other state requirements.

3. Work as an RN to gain work experience. This step is a prerequisite for admission to a graduate school. Most programs require at least one year of critical care clinical experience for admission.

4. Enroll in a graduate program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nursing Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) for anesthesia nurses. The requirement was a Master of Nursing (MSN) degree, but as of 2020, prospective nursing anesthesiologists must earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Nursing in Anesthetic Practice (DNAP) degree.

5. Pass the National Certification Examination (NCE) offered by the National Board for Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). You can take this exam after completing your master's degree.

6. Receive your board certification as a CRNA with a passing score on the NCE and all educational requirements met. This certification is required in most states to obtain an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license.

7. Apply for a state license as an APRN. Once you graduate and meet the educational requirements, you can apply for a state license as an APRN. Requirements vary by state. You must maintain your CRNA license and certification, which typically involves recertification every two years.

Do I need a license?

Yes, you will need an RN (Registered Nursing) license and probably also a CRNA (Certified Nurse Anesthetist) certification to become an anesthetist. She will receive her RN license after completing her undergraduate studies and her CRNA certification after completing her graduate program and passing the NCE exam. Licensing requirements differ depending on where you work.

Some common licensing requirements include a state license application, CRNA certification, and proof of degrees from accredited programs. Some states restrict the ability of CRNAs to prescribe drugs. It may be necessary to apply to the regulatory authority in these states.

pay grades

Your location, employer, and job title are factors that will affect your anesthesiologist's salary. Other factors are the years of experience and specializations that may exist.

location and salary

Where you live can likely affect your earning potential as an anesthetist. Some of the highest paying states for this work are Alaska, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Metro areas tend to have higher employment levels, but this does not always equate to higher wages. [1]

organization and salary

Physician offices, medico-surgical centers, and other specialty medical practices are among the top 3 employers for nurse anesthetics and have the highest concentration of nurse anesthetics. The highest paying jobs can be found in ambulatory surgical centers, psychiatric hospitals, and medico-surgical clinics. [1]

Job and salary changes

Your nurse anesthetist job title can vary depending on your certifications, where you work, your years of experience, and more. Some anesthesiologists may work in managerial roles, while others may find themselves teaching in the educational field. Others may work with a specific type of health care provider. These fluctuations can affect your earnings.

You may see some of these common job title variants:

• Anesthesiologists for Cardiothoracic NursesWork with patients undergoing heart-related surgery or procedures, such as cardiothoracic surgery or heart transplants. You work with an anesthetist.

• Head Nurse Anesthetistmanage other anesthesiologists in addition to their own clinical functions. They also work closely with patients to ensure their needs are met.

• Director of Nursing, Anesthesia Programsupervises the nursing anesthesiology program at a college or university. In this leadership role, she will oversee all faculty and staff for program, curriculum design, and assessment efforts. OneNursing Assistant Director of the Anesthesiology Programwould help in this role and would be another job option for an anesthetist.

• Teaching Professor or Assistant Professor, CRNAShe is a university professor and teaches courses in a postgraduate program in Anesthesiological Nursing. Her salary in this position will vary based on her degrees, the certifications she has earned, her years of work experience, and the school she works at.

Next steps

Anesthesiologists are well-respected nursing professionals with a well-paying job and above-average job prospects. When you're ready to plan your next steps in becoming an anesthetist, consider enrolling in a course likeIntroduction to human physiology.oVital signs: understanding what the body tells us, both offered on Coursera.

Introductory courses like these can complement your training as a nursing student and give you insight into the profession early on so you can better plan your next steps.