Anesthesiologist Pay

Entry-Level Anesthesiologist Salary in Tumwater, WA: $249,460 (2026)

Quick Answer:New anesthesiologists entering the Tumwater, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $249,460 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1211, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Tumwater's local price level (BEA RPP 107.47% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $232,272 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($430,103) within a few years of clinical practice.

$249,460
Starting Salary
$119.93/hr
Starting Hourly
$249,460
Entry Level
$430,103
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Anesthesiologist Entry Level Salary in Tumwater, WA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Tumwater, WA anesthesiologist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

A new graduate anesthesiologist stepping into the job market in Tumwater, WA, can expect an entry-level salary starting at around $249,460 in 2026. This figure represents a significant entry point compared to the city’s median annual salary of $430,103. For fresh graduates, bridging this gap will generally involve experience accumulation and skill enhancement over the first few years. As they progress, it is realistic to anticipate moving from entry-level pay to the 25th percentile salary of $309,674 within approximately three years, and eventually approaching the median as they gain experience and take on more complex cases. Given Tumwater's developing medical landscape, this city presents viable opportunities for new graduates looking to make their mark and establish lucrative careers in anesthesiology.

About the Tumwater Market

Salary estimated from Washington average ($410,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Tumwater

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$249,460/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$309,674/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$430,103/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$518,668/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tumwater

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for anesthesiologists in Tumwater. The median salary is $430,103, compared to the national median of $409,107.$224.5K$329.2K$433.8K$538.5K$643.1K$249.5K10th Pctl$309.7K25th Pctl$430.1KMedian$518.7K75th Pctl$612.5K90th PctlUS Median$409.1K

Entry-level anesthesiologists in Tumwater, WA typically start between $249,460 and $309,674 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $363,049 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $430,1035.13% above the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of anesthesiologist pay in the Tumwater metro area.

Return on Investment

$320,000
Avg WA Program Cost
$249,460
Starting Salary
128.28%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
1.3 yr
Payback Estimate

The average anesthesiology program cost in Washington of $320,000 represents just 128.28% of the starting anesthesiologist pay ($249,460/year) in Tumwater. 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 Tumwater

  • 1Research the Tumwater market: entry-level anesthesiologist pay ranges from $249,460 to $309,674, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Tumwater, 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 Tumwater for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Tumwater'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 Tumwater is $363,049 ( 145.53%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $249,460, experienced hygienists can earn up to $612,509.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$291,939

2025 BLS Actual

$238,718

2026 Current Est.

$249,460

2019–2027 Growth

+-10.7%

Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Tumwater (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for anesthesiologists in Tumwater. Baseline $291,939 in 2025, projected to $260,686 by 2027.$147.3K$197.8K$248.3K$298.8K$349.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$291.9K$320.4K$276.7K$176.1K$199.8K$250.0K$238.7K$249.5K$260.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$291,939Actual
2020$320,408Actual
2021$276,669Actual
2022$176,133Actual
2023$199,849Actual
2024$250,004Actual
2025$238,718Actual
2026(current)$249,460Estimated
2027$260,686Projected

Entry-level anesthesiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Tumwater, WA grew -18.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $291,939 in 2019 to $238,718 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $260,686. New graduates entering the Tumwater job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tumwater metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Tumwater

In Tumwater, several types of employers are known to hire newly minted anesthesiologists, including large academic medical centers that provide a diverse range of cases, such as cardiac and pediatric anesthesiology. Large group practices often recruit directly from residency programs, facilitating a smoother transition to professional practice with the potential for partnership within a few years. Candidates holding an MD or DO degree along with a completed anesthesiology residency will naturally attract better offers. Additionally, obtaining ABA board certification and maintaining MOCA are significant boosts for new grad anesthesiologist pay in WA. Understanding the distinction in compensation between traditional W-2 hospital roles and partnership models can inform career choices early on. Anesthesiology compensation has notably diverged post-2010s as practices consolidated, making it crucial for new graduates to align their job search with their long-term goals, anticipating salary growth based on their chosen practice setting over the first few years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for anesthesiologists in Tumwater in 2026?

Entry-level anesthesiologists in Tumwater start at approximately $249,460/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.50% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $119.93/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do anesthesiologist salaries grow in Tumwater?

Most anesthesiologists in Tumwater progress from the entry-level salary of $249,460 to the area median of $430,103 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $612,509 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is anesthesiology school worth it in Tumwater?

With a starting salary of $249,460/year in Tumwater and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new anesthesiologists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new anesthesiologists make right out of school in Tumwater?

New anesthesiology graduates in Tumwater typically start near the 10th percentile at $249,460/year, or approximately $119.93/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a anesthesiologist in Washington?

To become a licensed anesthesiologist in Washington, you typically need doctor of medicine (md) or doctor of osteopathy (do) degree and completion of a residency in anesthesiology., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Washington, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some anesthesiologists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Washington

MC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Raj Patel, MDData verified by Dr. Amina Khan, MD

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 Tumwater. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Tumwater is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

Last verified: