Independent anesthesiologists tend to earn their peak average income at between 15 and 21 years of experience, according to Medscape’s salary explorer. Average annual compensation, by years in practice, is:
- One to seven years: $350,000
- Eight to 14 years: $470,000
- 15 to 21 years: $500,000
- 22 to 28 years: $470,000
Earnings increase by about 43% from early to peak career, then decline slightly in later years — possibly due to reduced workloads, changes in role or pre-retirement transitions.
The data reflect broader compensation trends in anesthesiology. Independent anesthesiologists earn about 10% more than their employed peers, averaging $591,000 annually compared to $542,000.
Anesthesiology consolidation is also accelerating, led by groups like Dallas-based US Anesthesia Partners and Melville, N.Y.-based North American Partners in Anesthesia. Still, many providers remain independent, particularly in rural and underserved areas where staffing shortages make consolidation, if not more challenging, certainly more complex.
