Entry-Level Anesthesiologist Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $274,578 (2026)
Quick Answer:New anesthesiologists entering the Salt Lake City, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $274,578 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1211, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Salt Lake City's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $279,896 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($473,410) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salt Lake City, the projected entry-level anesthesiologist salary for 2026 is approximately $274,578, which may not seem attractive compared to the overall median salary of $473,410 for anesthesiologists in the area. This starting salary can represent a significant gap for new graduates, highlighting the importance of setting realistic financial expectations right out of residency. However, there is upward mobility; as entry-level professionals gain experience and demonstrate competence, salaries may reach around $340,855 at the 25th percentile within the first few years. Salt Lake City presents a favorable market for new graduates as the local demand for healthcare services continues to grow, providing ample opportunities for fresh anesthesiology talent to enter the workforce.
About the Salt Lake City Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($365,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Salt Lake City
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 Salt Lake City
Entry-level anesthesiologists in Salt Lake City, UT typically start between $274,578 and $340,855 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $429,411 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $473,410 — 15.72% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average anesthesiology program cost in Utah of $260,000 represents just 94.69% of the starting anesthesiologist pay ($274,578/year) in Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City
- 1Research the Salt Lake City market: entry-level anesthesiologist pay ranges from $274,578 to $340,855, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Salt Lake City, 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 Salt Lake City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Salt Lake City's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Anesthesiologist Compensation Range
The anesthesiologist wage spread in Salt Lake City is $429,411 ( 156.39%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $274,578, experienced hygienists can earn up to $703,989.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$321,334
2025 BLS Actual
$262,754
2026 Current Est.
$274,578
2019–2027 Growth
+-10.7%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $321,334 | Actual |
| 2020 | $352,669 | Actual |
| 2021 | $304,526 | Actual |
| 2022 | $193,867 | Actual |
| 2023 | $219,972 | Actual |
| 2024 | $206,776 | Actual |
| 2025 | $262,754 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $274,578 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $286,934 | Projected |
Entry-level anesthesiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Salt Lake City, UT grew -18.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $321,334 in 2019 to $262,754 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $286,934. New graduates entering the Salt Lake City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
When assessing the prospects for new graduates in Salt Lake City, several employers are notable for offering positions to recent residency completers. Academic medical centers often recruit entry-level anesthesiologists, providing exposure to a wide array of cases, including cardiac and pediatric anesthesiology. Large group practices frequently hire directly from residency programs and may offer partnership tracks within 2-3 years, while outpatient surgery centers appeal to those preferring a more predictable schedule without on-call duties. To enhance starting pay in Utah, credentials such as an MD or DO degree, completion of a four-year anesthesiology residency, and American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) board certification are essential, with optional fellowships providing an additional advantage. Given the shifts in anesthesiology compensation structures post-2010s consolidation, understanding the differences between hospital employment and private group models is crucial for career planning. Within the first three years, salary progression typically reflects market dynamics, with new anesthesiologists seeing increased compensation as they establish themselves within their chosen practice settings.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for anesthesiologists in Salt Lake City in 2026?
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Is anesthesiology school worth it in Salt Lake City?
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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 Salt Lake City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Salt Lake City 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