Anesthesiologist

Your Fit

Income

$337K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

2.6%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is an Anesthesiologist?

Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who specialize in providing anesthesia to patients during surgical procedures, as well as managing pain and monitoring critical life functions. They play a crucial role in ensuring patient safety and comfort before, during, and after surgery.

Sample job titles:

Medical Doctor (MD), Obstetrical Anesthesiologist, Staff Anesthesiologist, Staff Anesthetist

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Anesthesiologist.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does an Anesthesiologist earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$124K per year	$187K per year	$337K per year	$400K per year	NA per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $287K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does an Anesthesiologist do?

Work environment

Anesthesiologists work primarily in hospital settings, including operating rooms, labor and delivery units, and intensive care units. They may also work in outpatient surgical centers, dental offices, or pain management clinics. Their work involves collaboration with surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

Quick task list

Evaluates patients to determine appropriate anesthetic plans.
Administers anesthetics before and during surgeries.
Monitors patients' vital signs and adjusts anesthesia levels as needed.
Oversees patient recovery from anesthesia and manages postoperative pain.
Collaborates with other medical professionals to optimize patient care.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Pediatric Anesthesiology: Focusing on anesthesia for infants, children, and adolescents.
Cardiac Anesthesiology: Specializing in anesthesia for heart-related surgeries.
Neuroanesthesiology: Providing anesthesia for neurosurgical procedures.
Obstetric Anesthesiology: Managing pain relief for labor and delivery, including epidurals.
Pain Medicine: Specializing in the management of chronic pain through various interventions.

Description

Anesthesiologists are vital members of the surgical team, ensuring that patients undergo safe and pain-free surgical procedures. Their role begins with preoperative evaluation, where they assess a patient's medical condition and formulate an anesthetic plan tailored to the individual and the procedure. During surgery, they are responsible for administering anesthesia and monitoring the patient's vital functions, adapting their approach as needed to ensure optimal patient safety and comfort.

The work of an anesthesiologist is highly technical and requires a thorough understanding of both pharmacology and physiology. They must be prepared to make quick decisions in high-pressure situations, particularly if a patient exhibits adverse reactions or complications. Postoperatively, they oversee the patient's recovery from anesthesia and contribute to pain management strategies.

Anesthesiologists must excel in communication, as they collaborate with a diverse team of healthcare professionals. They also need to effectively communicate with patients and their families, explaining procedures and addressing any concerns.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Playing a critical role in the success and safety of surgical procedures.
The intellectual challenge of tailoring anesthesia plans to individual patients.
Opportunities for specialization and continuous learning in advanced medical fields.

You might make a good Anesthesiologist if you are...

Interested in a technically demanding and critical field of medicine.
Able to make quick, decisive judgments under pressure.
Detail-oriented, with a strong focus on patient safety.
Skilled in communicating complex medical information clearly.
Interested in pharmacology, human physiology, and patient care.

Pros:

High degree of responsibility and respect in the medical community.
Financially rewarding career with high earning potential.
Opportunities for specialization in various subfields.

Cons:

Lengthy and demanding educational and training path.
High-stress environment, especially during complex surgical procedures.
Irregular work hours, including on-call responsibilities and potential for night shifts.

How to become an Anesthesiologist

Typical education

Becoming an anesthesiologist typically requires 4 years of undergraduate education, followed by 4 years of medical school. This is succeeded by a 4-year residency program in anesthesiology, and some anesthesiologists choose to complete additional fellowships in specific subspecialties, which can take 1-2 years.

High school preparation

Courses:

Advanced sciences (biology, chemistry, physics) to build a strong foundation.
Mathematics, particularly calculus and statistics.
English and communication courses to develop strong writing and speaking skills.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering in healthcare settings like hospitals or clinics.
Participating in science clubs or health-focused organizations.
Shadowing medical professionals or engaging in medical research projects.

Preparation after high school

Obtain a bachelor's degree, preferably in a science-related field.
Attend medical school and obtain a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
Complete a residency program in anesthesiology.
Consider pursuing a fellowship for further specialization.
Obtain board certification and state licensure.

More resources

American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) - Professional organization providing resources and education for anesthesiologists.
The American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) - Offers board certification and continuing education for anesthesiologists.
Anesthesiology Journal - A leading journal with the latest research and developments in anesthesiology.
Society for Pediatric Anesthesia (SPA) - A society focused on the anesthetic care of children and educational resources.
Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) - Specializes in anesthesia for obstetrics, providing education and guidelines.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.