Entry-Level Anesthesiologist Salary in Lincoln, NE: $225,925 (2026)
Quick Answer:New anesthesiologists entering the Lincoln, NE job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $225,925 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1211, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lincoln's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $246,913 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($389,526) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduating as an anesthesiologist and beginning a career in Lincoln, Nebraska, offers new medical professionals a starting salary of around $225,925 in 2026. While this figure is lower than the city's median annual salary of $389,526 for anesthesiologists, it's essential for new grads to understand the salary trajectory over the first few years. Many can expect to see growth as they progress from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile, moving towards more competitive earnings as they build experience and credentials. With a growth rate of 4.50%, Lincoln presents a solid market for those just starting in the field, making it an appealing option as they embark on their medical careers.
About the Lincoln Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($355,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lincoln
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 Lincoln
Entry-level anesthesiologists in Lincoln, NE typically start between $225,925 and $280,458 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $348,437 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $389,526 — 4.79% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average anesthesiology program cost in Nebraska of $240,000 represents just 106.23% of the starting anesthesiologist pay ($225,925/year) in Lincoln. 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 Lincoln
- 1Research the Lincoln market: entry-level anesthesiologist pay ranges from $225,925 to $280,458, 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 NE often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lincoln, 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 Lincoln for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lincoln'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 Lincoln is $348,437 ( 154.23%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $225,925, experienced hygienists can earn up to $574,362.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$264,396
2025 BLS Actual
$216,196
2026 Current Est.
$225,925
2019–2027 Growth
+-10.7%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $264,396 | Actual |
| 2020 | $290,179 | Actual |
| 2021 | $250,567 | Actual |
| 2022 | $159,515 | Actual |
| 2023 | $180,994 | Actual |
| 2024 | $196,045 | Actual |
| 2025 | $216,196 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $225,925 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $236,091 | Projected |
Entry-level anesthesiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Lincoln, NE grew -18.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $264,396 in 2019 to $216,196 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $236,091. New graduates entering the Lincoln job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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 Lincoln
Hospitals and clinics in Lincoln most often seek newly graduated anesthesiologists, particularly in academic medical centers that provide comprehensive training opportunities across various specialties, including cardiac and pediatric anesthesia. Additionally, large group practices frequently hire new graduates directly out of residency, offering partnership tracks within 2 to 3 years. Credentials such as an MD or DO degree, completion of a four-year anesthesiology residency, and board certification through the ABA are crucial for success in this job market. The competitive environment following the consolidation of physician groups has resulted in significant differences in compensation based on employment type, with W-2 hospital employment models differing from private equity and physician-owned practices. New graduates can anticipate gradual salary increases during their first few years as they navigate this landscape, driven by the ongoing demand for skilled anesthesiologists in the region.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
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 Lincoln. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lincoln 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