Is it true that anesthesiologists make $306,964 a year? If so it is the best well paid speciality by far?

Question

I always wanted to be an anesthesiologist , not because of money and stuff it is because I love it and want to be a great one

But now knowing I can have a good life being well paid and at the same time doing what I love is just wonderful..

So is it true? Can anybody explain to me?

Answer 1

It really depends on the source you look at for salary info.  The most competitive specialties to get into (i.e. getting a residency spot) are dermatology, plastic surgery, and radiology.  I'm not sure about average salaries, but I have seen salaries much higher than 307k for these three specialties -- all three of them also have little to no call, so the lifestyle is good.

On average, more competitive specialties that have longer residencies will get you better compensation.  And, yes, anesthesiology is fairly high up on the list.

Answer 2

Yes, an anesthesiologist making $300K a year is not unheard of.  But if you truly love anesthesiology, it should not matter if you make $100K or $300K a year.

Doctors are often paid fee-for-service, meaning that the more patients/cases you see, the more you make.  So just because Dr. Jane Smith made $306,964 does not mean you'd make the same amount when you become an anesthesiologist -- you may make more, or you may make less.

Other factors also come into play: Are you willing to be on-call?  Often there is a premium for being available at ungodly hours when no one else wants to work.  Similarly, geography plays a role.  A $300K job may be available in Alaska, or you can stay where you are, making "only" $200K.  To some degree, the laws of supply and demand come into play.

At the end of the day, if you truly ove it, it shouldn't matter how much your salary will be, as long as it's over a certain amount.  Obviously YMMV as to what that amount is.....

Answer 3

That is an average salary.  You'll make more if you want to practice where nobody else does, or where the cost of living is very high.  You'll work hard for that money, though.  If you choose to work in a surgery center (no nights or weekends, but you might work 12 hour days sometimes), then you'll make about half that.

We are NOT the best paid by a long shot.  Most of our surgical colleagues earn more.  We do a lot better than family practice or internists, though.  (They don't take people to the brink of death every day - their practices involve less risk).

If you love anesthesiology, then you'll do it no matter what you get paid.  Who knows what the health care system will be like by the time you are trained and ready to practice?  We might all be working for the government.

Answer 4

check out Salary.com