Anesthesiologist Salary in Colorado: $430,200 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 32 metropolitan areas, the average median anesthesiologist pay sits at $430,200/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1211. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $409,714 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Colorado Springs ($427,147), Aurora ($422,140), Arvada ($420,905).
In 2026, anesthesiologists in Colorado are projected to earn an average median salary of $430,199, surpassing the national median of $409,107 by 5.2%. Notably, Colorado Springs offers the highest salaries in the state at $446,369, while Denver has the lowest at $187,254, highlighting a significant salary gap of $259,115. This disparity can be attributed to variations in the cost of living, local demand for anesthesiology services, and the density of healthcare facilities in a given area. The state's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws are crucial for professionals to navigate as they influence salary potential. Furthermore, the demand for anesthesiologists in Colorado is driven by its growing population and expanding healthcare services, contributing to a projected job market growth rate of 4.50% annually. Overall, the employment landscape for anesthesiologists in Colorado remains strong, with a total of 574 anesthesiologists employed as of 2026. The top five cities for anticipated salaries include Colorado Springs, Aurora at $441,136, Arvada at $439,846, Centennial at $437,833, and Thornton at $436,305. This landscape underscores the need for anesthesiologists to consider location carefully when planning their careers in the state.
Colorado Anesthesiologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $135,202 (lowest entry-level) to $685,699 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado anesthesiologists earn 5.16% more than the national median (+$21,093/year difference).
Colorado Anesthesiologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Anesthesiologist salaries in Colorado range from $249,516 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $626,889 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $430,200. The Colorado median is $21,093 above the US national median of $409,107. The average hourly rate is $206.83/hr. Approximately 574 anesthesiologists are employed across 32 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$316,123
2025 BLS Actual
$411,674
2026 Current Est.
$430,200
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Colorado (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $316,123 | Actual |
| 2020 | $330,348 | Actual |
| 2021 | $345,214 | Actual |
| 2022 | $360,749 | Actual |
| 2023 | $227,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $418,027 | Actual |
| 2025 | $411,674 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $430,200 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $449,559 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $316,123 (2019) to $411,674 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $449,559 by 2027 — a total increase of $133,436 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Denver | $187,254 |
| Golden | $395,375 |
| Evans | $397,829 |
| Louisville | $400,155 |
| Durango | $402,513 |
Best Value Cities for Anesthesiologists in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for anesthesiologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | $446,369 | 105 | $425,113 |
| Aurora | $441,136 | 105 | $420,130 |
| Arvada | $439,846 | 105 | $418,901 |
| Centennial | $437,833 | 105 | $416,984 |
| Thornton | $436,305 | 105 | $415,529 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $249,516 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $430,200 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $626,889 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 32 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado Springs | $446,369 |
| 2 | Aurora | $441,136 |
| 3 | Arvada | $439,846 |
| 4 | Centennial | $437,833 |
| 5 | Thornton | $436,305 |
| 6 | Westminster | $431,966 |
| 7 | Pueblo | $431,932 |
| 8 | Boulder | $431,932 |
| 9 | Lakewood | $429,885 |
| 10 | Greeley | $426,379 |
| 11 | Parker | $425,795 |
| 12 | Fort Collins | $425,615 |
| 13 | Erie | $425,027 |
| 14 | Windsor | $423,960 |
| 15 | Castle Rock | $423,141 |
| 16 | Broomfield | $423,005 |
| 17 | Longmont | $422,869 |
| 18 | Englewood | $419,626 |
| 19 | Commerce City | $416,710 |
| 20 | Lafayette | $415,726 |
| 21 | Loveland | $415,078 |
| 22 | Wheat Ridge | $413,326 |
| 23 | Brighton | $409,459 |
| 24 | Littleton | $408,092 |
| 25 | Fountain | $407,859 |
| 26 | Northglenn | $407,459 |
| 27 | Steamboat Springs | $405,065 |
| 28 | Durango | $402,513 |
| 29 | Louisville | $400,155 |
| 30 | Evans | $397,829 |
| 31 | Golden | $395,375 |
| 32 | Denver | $187,254 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore anesthesiologist hourly pay in Colorado cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced anesthesiologists.
Explore More Anesthesiologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do anesthesiologists make in Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for anesthesiologists in Colorado?
How does Colorado anesthesiologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level anesthesiologist salary in Colorado?
How many anesthesiologists are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado city offers the best value for anesthesiologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 anesthesiologist compensation across Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 32 metro areas — larger metro areas with more anesthesiologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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