Entry-Level Anesthesiologist Salary in Denver, CO: $135,202 (2026)
Quick Answer:New anesthesiologists entering the Denver, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $135,202 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1211, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Denver's local price level (BEA RPP 105.8 — 6% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $127,812 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($187,254) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the anesthesiology field in Denver, the starting anesthesiologist salary in 2026 is projected to be around $135,202, which is significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $187,254. This gap can initially be disheartening, but many new grads can expect to see their compensation improve as they gain experience. Over the first three to five years, starting salaries typically progress from the entry-level point up through the 25th percentile ($176,135), eventually aligning closer to the median as they assume more responsibilities and establish themselves within their practice. Overall, with a growth rate of 4.50% annualized, Denver remains a viable market for new anesthesiology graduates – especially given the diverse medical landscape available for clinical practice.
Career Earnings Timeline in Denver
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
Entry-level anesthesiologists in Denver, CO typically start between $135,202 and $176,135 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $339,594 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $187,254 — 54.23% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average anesthesiology program cost in Colorado of $280,000 represents just 207.10% of the starting anesthesiologist pay ($135,202/year) in Denver. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AAMC tuition reports for LCME-accredited MD programs and COCA-accredited DO programs, plus ACGME-accredited anesthesiology residency data. Totals include 4 years of medical school tuition, fees, and living expenses; residency is salaried but adds opportunity cost. Actual debt varies widely by public vs. private institution and state residency status.
ANES Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Denver
- 1Research the Denver market: entry-level anesthesiologist pay ranges from $135,202 to $176,135, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the anesthesiology field — employers in CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Denver, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Denver for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Denver's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Anesthesiologist Compensation Range
The anesthesiologist wage spread in Denver is $339,594 ( 251.18%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $135,202, experienced hygienists can earn up to $474,796.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$158,225
2025 BLS Actual
$129,380
2026 Current Est.
$135,202
2019–2027 Growth
+-10.7%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $158,225 | Actual |
| 2020 | $173,654 | Actual |
| 2021 | $149,949 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,314 | Actual |
| 2024 | $261,426 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,202 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,286 | Projected |
Entry-level anesthesiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Denver, CO grew -18.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $158,225 in 2019 to $129,380 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $141,286. New graduates entering the Denver job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your anesthesiology Career in Denver
When evaluating job opportunities, graduates will find that academic medical centers in Denver often provide a comprehensive range of cases, including complex cardiac and pediatric procedures, which are ideal for honing skills early in one’s career. Many large group practices also recruit directly from residency, presenting pathways to partnership within only a few years. For those prioritizing work-life balance, outpatient surgery centers frequently offer favorable schedules with minimal on-call requirements. Elevating starting pay in Colorado requires essential credentials such as an MD or DO degree, completion of a four-year anesthesiology residency, and board certification from the ABA, alongside additional credentialing like a DEA registration. As compensation dynamics have shifted significantly post-2010s consolidation, it is crucial for new anesthesiologists in Denver to understand the nuances between W-2 hospital employment and private practice models, as these can markedly influence their earnings trajectory. Realistically, new grads can anticipate gradual salary increases during their first three years, closely mirroring the broader industry trends but with unique local factors at play in the Denver market.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Dr. Maria Chen, MD
Career Analyst
Dr. Chen has over 10 years of experience in anesthesiology. She specializes in perioperative care at a major metropolitan hospital.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new anesthesiology graduates. A 4.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Denver. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for anesthesiologists (SOC 29-1211).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Maria Chen, MD, a licensed anesthesiologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov