Entry-Level Anesthesiologist Salary in Wilson, NC: $234,154 (2026)
Quick Answer:New anesthesiologists entering the Wilson, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $234,154 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1211, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wilson's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $250,165 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($403,714) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Determining a realistic starting salary is crucial for new anesthesiology graduates in Wilson, North Carolina. In 2026, entry-level positions are projected to offer around $234,154, a figure that significantly trails the city's median salary of $403,714. This gap indicates that practical expectations for recent graduates should be grounded in the typical earnings associated with early-career roles. Over the first few years, new anesthesiologists can anticipate a pathway of growth from this starting salary to figures around $290,674, aligning more closely with the regional average. As Wilson offers competitive opportunities, it's an appealing market for newcomers, especially given the growth rate of 4.50% annually, suggesting that entry-level anesthesiologists here can expect their compensation to improve steadily within their first few years of practice.
About the Wilson Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($370,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wilson
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 Wilson
Entry-level anesthesiologists in Wilson, NC typically start between $234,154 and $290,674 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $323,418 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $403,714 — 1.32% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average anesthesiology program cost in North Carolina of $240,000 represents just 102.50% of the starting anesthesiologist pay ($234,154/year) in Wilson. 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 Wilson
- 1Research the Wilson market: entry-level anesthesiologist pay ranges from $234,154 to $290,674, 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 NC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Wilson, 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 Wilson for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wilson'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 Wilson is $323,418 ( 138.12%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $234,154, experienced hygienists can earn up to $557,572.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$274,027
2025 BLS Actual
$224,071
2026 Current Est.
$234,154
2019–2027 Growth
+-10.7%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Wilson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $274,027 | Actual |
| 2020 | $300,749 | Actual |
| 2021 | $259,694 | Actual |
| 2022 | $165,326 | Actual |
| 2023 | $187,587 | Actual |
| 2024 | $192,556 | Actual |
| 2025 | $224,071 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $234,154 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $244,691 | Projected |
Entry-level anesthesiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Wilson, NC grew -18.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $274,027 in 2019 to $224,071 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $244,691. New graduates entering the Wilson job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilson 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 Wilson
The job market for entry-level anesthesiologists in Wilson includes a variety of potential employers like academic medical centers, large group practices, and outpatient surgery centers. Academic institutions often present diverse case types, granting fresh graduates exposure to complex specialties such as cardiac and pediatric anesthesia, while larger group practices typically recruit new grads directly from their residency programs, often with enticing partnership tracks available within a few years. To enhance starting pay in North Carolina, it’s essential for new anesthesiologists to pursue board certification from the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) and remain engaged in continuing education opportunities like Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology (MOCA). The current landscape illustrates a divergence in compensation structures; anesthesiologists can experience different financial outcomes depending on whether they work within hospital-owned practices or independent groups as historically shaped by the consolidation wave. Realistic salary growth during the initial years often hinges on strategic choices about practice settings, with the potential for significant upward movement in income as experience and skill sets develop.
More salary data for Wilson, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for anesthesiologists in Wilson in 2026?
How fast do anesthesiologist salaries grow in Wilson?
Is anesthesiology school worth it in Wilson?
What do new anesthesiologists make right out of school in Wilson?
How do I become a anesthesiologist in North Carolina?
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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 Wilson. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wilson 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