Entry-Level Anesthesiologist Salary in Knoxville, TN: $221,368 (2026)
Quick Answer:New anesthesiologists entering the Knoxville, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $221,368 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1211, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Knoxville's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $241,142 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($381,667) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the anesthesiology field in Knoxville, TN, the projected starting anesthesiologist salary in 2026 is approximately $221,368. While this figure is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $381,667, it offers a reasonable foundation for a fresh career in a highly specialized medical field. Entry-level practitioners can anticipate a growth trajectory that moves them toward the 25th percentile salary of $274,801 within a few years of practice, as they gain experience and build their skills. Given the current job market, Knoxville presents a viable opportunity for new grad anesthesiologists, especially in light of a growing demand for anesthetic services across various medical settings.
About the Knoxville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($360,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Knoxville
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 Knoxville
Entry-level anesthesiologists in Knoxville, TN typically start between $221,368 and $274,801 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $347,876 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $381,667 — 6.71% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average anesthesiology program cost in Tennessee of $260,000 represents just 117.45% of the starting anesthesiologist pay ($221,368/year) in Knoxville. 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 Knoxville
- 1Research the Knoxville market: entry-level anesthesiologist pay ranges from $221,368 to $274,801, 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 TN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Knoxville, 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 Knoxville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Knoxville'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 Knoxville is $347,876 ( 157.15%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $221,368, experienced hygienists can earn up to $569,244.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$259,063
2025 BLS Actual
$211,835
2026 Current Est.
$221,368
2019–2027 Growth
+-10.7%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $259,063 | Actual |
| 2020 | $284,326 | Actual |
| 2021 | $245,512 | Actual |
| 2022 | $156,298 | Actual |
| 2023 | $177,343 | Actual |
| 2024 | $194,795 | Actual |
| 2025 | $211,835 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $221,368 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $231,329 | Projected |
Entry-level anesthesiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Knoxville, TN grew -18.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $259,063 in 2019 to $211,835 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $231,329. New graduates entering the Knoxville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville 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 Knoxville
Job prospects for entry-level anesthesiologists in Knoxville are primarily found in academic medical centers and large group practices, which often recruit directly from residency programs. These environments provide new graduates with diverse clinical experiences, such as cardiac and pediatric anesthesiology, integral for developing a comprehensive skill set. To optimize their entry-level compensation, graduates should focus on obtaining board certification from the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) and comply with necessary licensing requirements, including DEA registrations. Since anesthesiology compensation has diverged significantly between W-2 employment models and private partnerships, newly licensed anesthesiologists should consider strategic affiliations that align with their career goals. In the first few years, growth expectations in salary are reasonable, making Knoxville a promising place to launch a career in this rewarding specialty.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
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 Knoxville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Knoxville 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