Anesthesiologist Salary in Asheville, NC: $410,803 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in Asheville, NC earns a median $410,803/year (≈ $197.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in Asheville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $438,892 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the anesthesiologist salary in Asheville is projected to reach a median of $410,803, which slightly surpasses the national median of $409,107. This figure reflects the city's competitive compensation landscape where salaries fall within a broad range—from $238,266 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $583,530 at the 90th percentile. These salary estimates are refined through 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, taking into account the specific dynamics of the local job market. The variance in earnings is heavily influenced by factors such as call burden, with anesthesiologists in higher call rotations commanding salaries at the upper ends of this spectrum, while those in lower-stress cases might see figures closer to the lower limits.
About the Asheville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($370,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $238,266 | $114.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $295,778 | $142.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $410,803 | $197.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $515,892 | $248.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $583,530 | $280.54 |
Median Salary Position
0.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Asheville
In Asheville, NC, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $345,264 (2026 est.). At $410,803, the local median is 0.41% above the national median of $409,107.
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At 40 hours/week in Asheville: You'd be above the median
How Asheville Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
Asheville median: $410,803/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Asheville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $421,336 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $409,107 | +0.41% more |
Anesthesiologists in Asheville, NC earn a median of $410,803 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.41% higher than the national median of $409,107 and 2.50% below the North Carolina state average of $421,336.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Asheville has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Asheville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A anesthesiologist earning $410,803 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $438,892 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$301,870
2025 BLS Actual
$393,113
2026 Current Est.
$410,803
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Asheville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $301,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $315,454 | Actual |
| 2021 | $329,649 | Actual |
| 2022 | $344,484 | Actual |
| 2023 | $359,985 | Actual |
| 2024 | $337,824 | Actual |
| 2025 | $393,113 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $410,803 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $429,289 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Asheville metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $301,870 (2019) to $393,113 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $429,289 by 2027 — a total increase of $127,419 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Asheville 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) | $238,266 – $295,778 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $295,778 – $410,803 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $410,803 – $515,892 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $515,892 – $583,530 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in Asheville
With only 14 anesthesiologists currently employed in Asheville, the market remains relatively tight, further fueling competition for the best talent. The cost of living index stands at 93.6, significantly below the national average, which enhances purchasing power for anesthesiologists in the area. Among local employers, hospital systems tend to offer the most lucrative W-2 positions, while private anesthesia group practices, particularly those offering partnership tracks, provide substantial incentives for higher earnings. The spread in salaries can often be attributed to various factors including case volume, RVU bonuses linked to hospital employment, and subspecialty fellowship training. A practical approach for maximizing anesthesiologist pay in Asheville includes seeking roles with hospitals that provide robust benefits and exploring opportunities in private equity-owned groups that may offer more flexible compensation structures. For those considering a career in anesthesiology in this vibrant city, understanding these layers will be key to achieving optimal financial outcomes.
More salary data for Asheville, NC:
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 $393,113 for anesthesiologistsin the Asheville 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 Asheville 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