Anesthesiologist Salary in Columbia, MD: $444,701 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in Columbia, MD earns a median $444,701/year (≈ $213.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $406,863 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For anesthesiologists working in Columbia, Maryland, the projected median annual salary in 2026 is $444,701, which surpasses the national median of $409,107 by 8.70%. This substantial figure reflects a salary range from $257,927 at the 10th percentile to $644,024 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust earning potential for experienced practitioners. The competitive compensation landscape is influenced by various factors including call burdens and the local demand for anesthesiologists, which shapes the wide gap between lower and higher salaries. The figures presented here are derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional market conditions, providing a realistic insight into the earning opportunities in Columbia.
About the Columbia Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($395,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $257,927 | $124.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $320,185 | $153.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $444,701 | $213.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $565,226 | $271.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $644,024 | $309.62 |
Median Salary Position
8.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, MD, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $386,097 (2026 est.). At $444,701, the local median is 8.7% above the national median of $409,107.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbia Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
Columbia median: $444,701/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $446,935 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $409,107 | +8.70% more |
Anesthesiologists in Columbia, MD earn a median of $444,701 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.70% higher than the national median of $409,107 and 0.50% below the Maryland state average of $446,935.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $444,701 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $406,863 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$326,779
2025 BLS Actual
$425,551
2026 Current Est.
$444,701
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $326,779 | Actual |
| 2020 | $341,484 | Actual |
| 2021 | $356,851 | Actual |
| 2022 | $372,909 | Actual |
| 2023 | $389,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $443,919 | Actual |
| 2025 | $425,551 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $444,701 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $464,712 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $326,779 (2019) to $425,551 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $464,712 by 2027 — a total increase of $137,933 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $257,927 – $320,185 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $320,185 – $444,701 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $444,701 – $565,226 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $565,226 – $644,024 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in Columbia
In the local job market, Columbia employs 24 anesthesiologists, a number that highlights both the demand and available positions in the area. With a cost of living index of 109.3, living expenses are slightly above the national average, which may impact take-home pay. Major employers, including hospital systems and private anesthesia group practices, tend to offer higher salaries, particularly for those on the partnership track. The differences in pay are driven by variables such as case volume, call rotations, and the structure of compensation models, whether W-2 employed or 1099 independent contractors. Anesthesiologists considering practice in Columbia should focus on enhancing their appeal through subspecialty fellowship training and understanding market dynamics to maximize their earnings potential. Consequently, being strategic about negotiations and seeking opportunities with academic medical centers or high-volume ambulatory surgery centers could yield favorable financial outcomes.
More salary data for Columbia, MD:
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 $425,551 for anesthesiologistsin the Columbia 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 Columbia 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