Anesthesiologist Salary in Columbus, NE: $349,550 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in Columbus, NE earns a median $349,550/year (≈ $168.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $382,022 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, anesthesiologists in Columbus, Nebraska can expect a median annual salary of $349,550, which reflects the impact of local market dynamics when compared to the national median of $409,107. The overall salary range spans from $202,739 at the lower end (P10) to $483,187 at the upper end (P90), indicative of the variability in compensation based on practice setting. Anesthesiology compensation in Columbus is notably shaped by the choice between W-2 hospital employment and private group partnerships, influencing factors such as case volume, workload, and call responsibilities. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, suggest that physicians in this area can navigate their compensation effectively by understanding the structural dynamics of their respective practice settings.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($355,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $202,739 | $97.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $251,677 | $121.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $349,550 | $168.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $416,488 | $200.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $483,187 | $232.30 |
Median Salary Position
14.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, NE, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $280,448 (2026 est.). At $349,550, the local median is 14.56% below the national median of $409,107.
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At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be above the median
How Columbus Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
Columbus median: $349,550/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $374,251 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $409,107 | -14.56% less |
Anesthesiologists in Columbus, NE earn a median of $349,550 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.56% lower than the national median of $409,107 and 6.60% below the Nebraska state average of $374,251.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A anesthesiologist earning $349,550 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $382,022 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$256,860
2025 BLS Actual
$334,498
2026 Current Est.
$349,550
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $256,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $268,418 | Actual |
| 2021 | $280,497 | Actual |
| 2022 | $293,119 | Actual |
| 2023 | $306,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $303,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $334,498 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $349,550 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $365,280 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $256,860 (2019) to $334,498 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $365,280 by 2027 — a total increase of $108,420 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $202,739 – $251,677 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $251,677 – $349,550 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $349,550 – $416,488 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $416,488 – $483,187 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in Columbus
With only four anesthesiologists currently employed in Columbus, the job market for this specialty is relatively small but still has opportunities for growth, particularly as demand for surgical procedures remains steady. The cost of living index in Columbus is 91.5, which is below the national average, implying that anesthesiologists in the area may enjoy enhanced purchasing power relative to their salary. Hospitals and academic medical centers tend to pay the most among local employers, while private practices offering partnership opportunities might provide higher long-term earnings potential. The spread in compensation is driven by several factors, including fellowship training, volume of cases, and the differences in call burden associated with various positions. Candidates looking to maximize their anesthesiologist pay in Columbus should consider aiming for roles that allow for personal equity in practice while also negotiating favorable RVU bonuses offered by hospital systems.
More salary data for Columbus, NE:
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 $334,498 for anesthesiologistsin the Columbus 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 Columbus 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