Anesthesiologist Salary in Boulder, CO: $431,932 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in Boulder, CO earns a median $431,932/year (≈ $207.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in Boulder's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $411,364 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, anesthesiologists in Boulder, Colorado, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $431,932, which is approximately 5.58% higher than the national median of $409,107. The salary range extends from $250,521 at the 10th percentile to $634,836 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant earning potential based on experience and subspecialty fellowship training. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for Colorado's regional price adjustments, suggest that those with fellowships in areas such as pain management and critical care may experience an enhanced salary trajectory. Boulder's robust healthcare market supports this trend, allowing specialized anesthesiologists to maximize their earning potential.
About the Boulder Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($390,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $250,521 | $120.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $310,991 | $149.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $431,932 | $207.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $552,873 | $265.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $634,836 | $305.21 |
Median Salary Position
5.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boulder
In Boulder, CO, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $384,315 (2026 est.). At $431,932, the local median is 5.58% above the national median of $409,107.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boulder: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Boulder Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
Boulder median: $431,932/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boulder Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $429,356 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $409,107 | +5.58% more |
Anesthesiologists in Boulder, CO earn a median of $431,932 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.58% higher than the national median of $409,107 and 0.60% above the Colorado state average of $429,356.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boulder has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boulder, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $431,932 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $411,364 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$317,396
2025 BLS Actual
$413,332
2026 Current Est.
$431,932
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Boulder (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $317,396 | Actual |
| 2020 | $331,679 | Actual |
| 2021 | $346,604 | Actual |
| 2022 | $362,201 | Actual |
| 2023 | $378,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $411,759 | Actual |
| 2025 | $413,332 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $431,932 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $451,369 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boulder metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $317,396 (2019) to $413,332 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $451,369 by 2027 — a total increase of $133,973 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boulder 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $250,521 – $310,991 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $310,991 – $431,932 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $431,932 – $552,873 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $552,873 – $634,836 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in Boulder
The local job market has a notable presence of 21 employed anesthesiologists, which could influence competition and pay scales within various healthcare settings. With a cost-of-living index of 105, salaries must contend with higher living expenses in Boulder, potentially affecting take-home purchasing power. Among the primary employers, hospital systems in Boulder tend to offer competitive salaries for W-2 employed anesthesiologists, while private anesthesia groups may provide opportunities for partnership equity, often translating to higher earnings over time. Differences in compensation are driven by factors like case volume, partnership structures, and RVU-based incentives. To optimize anesthesiologist pay in Boulder, pursuing additional fellowship training and considering roles in high-demand settings, such as academic medical centers or high-volume surgical practices, can significantly enhance compensation prospects.
More salary data for Boulder, CO:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $413,332 for anesthesiologistsin the Boulder metropolitan area. A 4.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Boulder 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