Entry-Level Anesthesiologist Salary in Pierre, SD: $221,512 (2026)
Quick Answer:New anesthesiologists entering the Pierre, SD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $221,512 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1211, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pierre's local price level (BEA RPP 92.8 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $238,698 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($381,916) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field, the entry-level anesthesiologist salary in Pierre, SD, starts at around $221,512 in 2026. This figure lays the groundwork for aspiring professionals who are eager to establish their careers. Compared to the city median salary of $381,916, new grads can expect a significant gap at the outset of their careers. Over the first few years, entry-level anesthesiologists can move up to the 25th percentile salary of $274,979 and potentially reach the median within three to five years, reflecting the profession's growth trajectory and demand. Considering Pierre's salary dynamics and a gradual growth rate of 4.50%, the local market offers encouraging prospects for new anesthesiology graduates willing to invest the effort in building their careers.
About the Pierre Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($355,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pierre
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 Pierre
Entry-level anesthesiologists in Pierre, SD typically start between $221,512 and $274,979 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $298,602 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $381,916 — 6.65% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average anesthesiology program cost in South Dakota of $245,000 represents just 110.60% of the starting anesthesiologist pay ($221,512/year) in Pierre. 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 Pierre
- 1Research the Pierre market: entry-level anesthesiologist pay ranges from $221,512 to $274,979, 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 SD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Pierre, 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 Pierre for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pierre'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 Pierre is $298,602 ( 134.80%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $221,512, experienced hygienists can earn up to $520,114.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$259,231
2025 BLS Actual
$211,973
2026 Current Est.
$221,512
2019–2027 Growth
+-10.7%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Pierre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $259,231 | Actual |
| 2020 | $284,511 | Actual |
| 2021 | $245,672 | Actual |
| 2022 | $156,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $177,459 | Actual |
| 2024 | $179,518 | Actual |
| 2025 | $211,973 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $221,512 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $231,480 | Projected |
Entry-level anesthesiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Pierre, SD grew -18.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $259,231 in 2019 to $211,973 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $231,480. New graduates entering the Pierre job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pierre 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 Pierre
Within Pierre's healthcare landscape, several employers hire new graduate anesthesiologists, particularly academic medical centers that provide diverse cases, enhancing professional development. Large group practices often recruit directly from residency programs and may offer a partnership track within just a few years, presenting a strong incentive for recent graduates. Credentials significantly influence starting pay—a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree, a completed anesthesiology residency, board certification from the American Board of Anesthesiology, and state-specific controlled-substance registrations are essential. Graduating from this competitive field post-2010 requires an awareness of the diverging compensation models as anesthesiologists navigate hospital employment versus private practice dynamics. Realistically, recent grads should expect salary advancements in line with industry standards over their initial years as they familiarize themselves with the nuances of compensation structures influenced by the consolidation waves that have reshaped the profession.
More salary data for Pierre, SD:
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 Pierre. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pierre 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