Entry-Level Anesthesiologist Salary in Augusta, GA: $223,160 (2026)
Quick Answer:New anesthesiologists entering the Augusta, GA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $223,160 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1211, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Augusta's local price level (BEA RPP 91.9 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $242,821 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($435,869) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For newly minted anesthesiologists considering opportunities in Augusta, Georgia, the projected starting salary for 2026 is estimated at $223,160. This figure is markedly lower than the overall median salary for anesthesiologists in the city, which stands at $435,869. Such a disparity indicates that while entry-level positions might not encapsulate the full earning potential in the field, there is ample opportunity for financial growth. In the first few years of practice, new grads can expect their salaries to trajectory upwards significantly; they may reach around $406,599 by the 25th percentile as they gain experience and expertise. Given Augusta's relatively low cost of living index at 91.903, the economic atmosphere appears to be favorable for new anesthesiologists embarking on their careers in the region.
Career Earnings Timeline in Augusta
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 Augusta
Entry-level anesthesiologists in Augusta, GA typically start between $223,160 and $406,599 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $219,889 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $435,869 — 6.54% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average anesthesiology program cost in Georgia of $250,000 represents just 112.03% of the starting anesthesiologist pay ($223,160/year) in Augusta. 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 Augusta
- 1Research the Augusta market: entry-level anesthesiologist pay ranges from $223,160 to $406,599, 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 GA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Augusta, 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 Augusta for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Augusta's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Anesthesiologist Compensation Range
The anesthesiologist wage spread in Augusta is $219,889 ( 98.53%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $223,160, experienced hygienists can earn up to $443,049.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$261,160
2025 BLS Actual
$213,550
2026 Current Est.
$223,160
2019–2027 Growth
+-10.7%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Augusta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $261,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $286,628 | Actual |
| 2021 | $247,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $157,563 | Actual |
| 2023 | $178,779 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $213,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $223,160 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $233,202 | Projected |
Entry-level anesthesiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Augusta, GA grew -18.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $261,160 in 2019 to $213,550 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $233,202. New graduates entering the Augusta job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Augusta 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 Augusta
In Augusta, well-regarded employers, including academic medical centers and large group practices, actively recruit recent graduates, providing a robust variety of case experiences. These settings typically offer diverse clinical cases ranging from cardiac to pediatric anesthesia, equipping new anesthesiologists with well-rounded training during their formative years. After the completion of an MD or DO degree and residency, pursuing board certification through the ABA, including participation in Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology (MOCA), can also elevate starting salaries. New grads should consider gaining additional credentials or even pursuing fellowship opportunities, which can lead to higher compensation. Furthermore, understanding the evolving compensation models in the market is essential; partnerships in private practices may diverge greatly from W-2 hospital employment, impacting future earnings. Realistically, new anesthesiologists can anticipate an upward movement in salary within the first few years of their career, driven by both experience and certifications.
More salary data for Augusta, GA:
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 Augusta. 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