Anesthesiologist Salary in Waterloo, IA: $359,940 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in Waterloo, IA earns a median $359,940/year (≈ $173.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in Waterloo's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $398,164 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waterloo, IA, anesthesiologists can expect a median annual salary of $359,940 in 2026, reflecting the ongoing shift in compensation structures driven by the choice between W-2 hospital employment and private group partnership models. The salary range illustrates significant variability, from $208,765 at the 10th percentile to $509,668 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the diverse opportunities within the market. These estimates are informed by local conditions and regional cost adjustments based on 2025 BLS data, projecting how much do anesthesiologists make in Waterloo against the backdrop of changing healthcare dynamics. As the field continues to evolve, understanding the local compensation landscape is essential for professionals assessing their career options in this city.
About the Waterloo Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($360,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $208,765 | $100.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $259,157 | $124.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $359,940 | $173.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $451,050 | $216.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $509,668 | $245.03 |
Median Salary Position
12.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterloo
In Waterloo, IA, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $300,903 (2026 est.). At $359,940, the local median is 12.02% below the national median of $409,107.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waterloo: You'd be above the median
How Waterloo Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
Waterloo median: $359,940/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterloo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $369,928 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $409,107 | -12.02% less |
Anesthesiologists in Waterloo, IA earn a median of $359,940 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.02% lower than the national median of $409,107 and 2.70% below the Iowa state average of $369,928.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterloo has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterloo, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A anesthesiologist earning $359,940 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $398,164 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$264,494
2025 BLS Actual
$344,440
2026 Current Est.
$359,940
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Waterloo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $264,494 | Actual |
| 2020 | $276,396 | Actual |
| 2021 | $288,834 | Actual |
| 2022 | $301,832 | Actual |
| 2023 | $315,414 | Actual |
| 2024 | $316,734 | Actual |
| 2025 | $344,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $359,940 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $376,137 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterloo metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $264,494 (2019) to $344,440 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $376,137 by 2027 — a total increase of $111,643 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterloo 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) | $208,765 – $259,157 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $259,157 – $359,940 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $359,940 – $451,050 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $451,050 – $509,668 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in Waterloo
With only nine anesthesiologists currently employed in Waterloo, the local job market offers a unique blend of opportunities and challenges influenced by a cost-of-living index of 90.4. This lower index suggests that despite the high median salary, the purchasing power may be more favorable than in markets with a higher cost of living. Among various employers, hospital systems tend to offer competitive wages through W-2 employment models, while private anesthesia group practices frequently provide pathways to partnership that can significantly enhance earning potential. Factors such as case volume, hospital-employed RVU bonuses, and the call burden work together to create disparities in pay. For those looking to maximize their anesthesiologist salary in Waterloo, strategically selecting sub-specialties or affiliations with institutions that emphasize equity in clinical opportunities can be vital. Understanding these dynamics will be essential for making informed career decisions within this specific market.
More salary data for Waterloo, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can anesthesiologists make $100K in Waterloo?
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Career Resources
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 $344,440 for anesthesiologistsin the Waterloo 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 Waterloo 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