Entry-Level Anesthesiologist Salary in Houma, LA: $223,725 (2026)
Quick Answer:New anesthesiologists entering the Houma, LA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $223,725 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1211, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Houma's local price level (BEA RPP 90.3 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $247,757 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($385,732) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting out as an anesthesiologist in Houma, Louisiana, new graduates can expect a starting salary around $223,725 in 2026. This entry-level pay represents a significant gap when compared to the city’s median annual salary of $385,732. The path from initial pay to the higher echelons of this field is marked by growth—from the bottom decile to the 25th percentile, where many early-career professionals may find themselves earning approximately $277,728 within their first few years. Given Houma's competitive job market for medical professionals, such circumstances suggest that prospective anesthesiologists may find valuable opportunities for growth and learning, keeping in mind the area's lower cost of living index compared to national averages.
About the Houma Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($340,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Houma
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 Houma
Entry-level anesthesiologists in Houma, LA typically start between $223,725 and $277,728 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $293,088 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $385,732 — 5.71% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average anesthesiology program cost in Louisiana of $230,000 represents just 102.80% of the starting anesthesiologist pay ($223,725/year) in Houma. 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 Houma
- 1Research the Houma market: entry-level anesthesiologist pay ranges from $223,725 to $277,728, 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 LA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Houma, 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 Houma for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Houma'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 Houma is $293,088 ( 131.00%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $223,725, experienced hygienists can earn up to $516,813.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$261,822
2025 BLS Actual
$214,091
2026 Current Est.
$223,725
2019–2027 Growth
+-10.7%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Houma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $261,822 | Actual |
| 2020 | $287,354 | Actual |
| 2021 | $248,127 | Actual |
| 2022 | $157,962 | Actual |
| 2023 | $179,232 | Actual |
| 2024 | $172,294 | Actual |
| 2025 | $214,091 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $223,725 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $233,793 | Projected |
Entry-level anesthesiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Houma, LA grew -18.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $261,822 in 2019 to $214,091 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $233,793. New graduates entering the Houma job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houma 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 Houma
Employers in Houma that typically hire new graduate anesthesiologists often include larger group practices and outpatient surgery centers focusing on lifestyle work, without the pressures of on-call hours. New graduates should consider pursuing positions within academic medical centers, as these environments generally provide a broader case mix, including specialties such as cardiac and pediatric anesthesia. Enhancing starting pay in Louisiana can be achieved through obtaining an MD or DO degree, successfully completing a four-year anesthesiology residency, and achieving ABA board certification along with fulfilling necessary state and federal registrations. Entering this field post-residency, new anesthesiologists should strategically evaluate the differences between W-2 hospital employment and partnerships in private groups, which have evolved considerably since the 2010s consolidation wave. Understanding these dynamics will allow upcoming professionals to carve out career trajectories, aiming for reasonable salary growth over their initial three years in practice.
More salary data for Houma, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is anesthesiology school worth it in Houma?
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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 Houma. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Houma 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