How to become an anesthesiologist

Administer anesthetics and analgesics for pain management prior to, during, or after surgery.

Steps to get there

Most employers expect most of these occupations require graduate school. for example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a ph.d., m.d., or j.d. (law degree)..Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

What anesthesiologists do

• Examine patient, obtain medical history, and use diagnostic tests to determine risk during surgical, obstetrical, and other medical procedures.
• Administer anesthetic or sedation during medical procedures, using local, intravenous, spinal, or caudal methods.
• Record type and amount of anesthesia and patient condition throughout procedure.
• Monitor patient before, during, and after anesthesia and counteract adverse reactions or complications.
• Decide when patients have recovered or stabilized enough to be sent to another room or ward or to be sent home following outpatient surgery.
• Coordinate administration of anesthetics with surgeons during operation.

Skills that matter most

• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Monitoring
• Active Listening
• Writing
• Speaking
• Science
• Active Learning

Is anesthesiologist a good career?

On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 668% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• Washington $499,990
• Minnesota $496,510
• Ohio $490,530
• New Hampshire $481,640
• Florida $465,370

Anesthesiologists salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.