Entry-Level Anesthesiologist Salary in Honolulu, HI: $336,655 (2026)
Quick Answer:New anesthesiologists entering the Honolulu, HI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $336,655 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1211, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Honolulu's local price level (BEA RPP 119.3 — 19% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $282,192 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($580,440) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career as an entry-level anesthesiologist in Honolulu, the starting pay presents a promising outlook. In 2026, newly graduated anesthesiologists can expect to earn around $336,655, which marks a substantial step toward the city's median salary of $580,440. This initial figure reflects the expected trajectory for early-career professionals, who may see their compensation increase to $417,916 within just a few years. Given the projected annual growth rate of 4.50%, the market in Honolulu appears favorable, providing new entrants ample opportunities to advance their salaries and solidify their positions in a region with a competitive but manageable cost of living.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($360,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Honolulu
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 Honolulu
Entry-level anesthesiologists in Honolulu, HI typically start between $336,655 and $417,916 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $502,343 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $580,440 — 41.88% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average anesthesiology program cost in Hawaii of $300,000 represents just 89.11% of the starting anesthesiologist pay ($336,655/year) in Honolulu. 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 Honolulu
- 1Research the Honolulu market: entry-level anesthesiologist pay ranges from $336,655 to $417,916, 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 HI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Honolulu, 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 Honolulu for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Honolulu's above-average cost of living (index: 119.3) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Anesthesiologist Compensation Range
The anesthesiologist wage spread in Honolulu is $502,343 ( 149.22%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $336,655, experienced hygienists can earn up to $838,998.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$393,982
2025 BLS Actual
$322,158
2026 Current Est.
$336,655
2019–2027 Growth
+-10.7%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $393,982 | Actual |
| 2020 | $432,402 | Actual |
| 2021 | $373,374 | Actual |
| 2022 | $237,697 | Actual |
| 2023 | $269,703 | Actual |
| 2024 | $265,058 | Actual |
| 2025 | $322,158 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $336,655 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $351,805 | Projected |
Entry-level anesthesiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Honolulu, HI grew -18.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $393,982 in 2019 to $322,158 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $351,805. New graduates entering the Honolulu job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Honolulu 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 Honolulu
Honolulu's healthcare environment offers various employment avenues for new graduates, typically featuring academic medical centers that provide a diverse mix of cases, including cardiac and pediatric anesthesiology. Additionally, large group practices actively recruit residents entering the workforce, often with enticing partnership tracks available within 2-3 years. Lifestyle-minded new graduates may consider outpatient surgery centers favoring no-call schedules, a significant perk in maintaining work-life balance. Essential credentials—such as an MD or DO degree, completion of a four-year anesthesiology residency, and board certification—are foundational, but pursuing additional fellowships or certifications can further enhance earning potential. Within the first three years of practice, salary growth can be substantial, but it is essential for new anesthesiologists to navigate the evolving compensation models shaped by hospital ownership versus private practice dynamics directly impacting earning potential.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for anesthesiologists in Honolulu in 2026?
How fast do anesthesiologist salaries grow in Honolulu?
Is anesthesiology school worth it in Honolulu?
What do new anesthesiologists make right out of school in Honolulu?
How do I become a anesthesiologist in Hawaii?
Related Pages
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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 Honolulu. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Honolulu is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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