Anesthesiologist Salary in Tennessee: $360,332 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median anesthesiologist pay sits at $360,332/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1211. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $392,519 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Memphis ($387,502), Knoxville ($365,232), Chattanooga ($364,652).
In 2026, anesthesiologists in Tennessee are projected to earn an average median salary of $360,333, which is 11.9% lower than the national median of $409,107. Salary ranges vary significantly between cities, with Memphis offering the highest average at $404,940, while Murfreesboro presents the lowest at $337,549, revealing a substantial gap of $67,391. This disparity is primarily driven by the concentration of healthcare facilities, demand for specialized services, and cost of living differences in urban versus suburban areas. Tennessee has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can affect job opportunities and operational practices for anesthesiologists. The state requires passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) along with completion of residency training. These factors contribute to the steady demand for anesthesiologists, supported by a projected job growth rate of 4.50% annually, reflecting national trends. Overall, the job market for anesthesiologists in Tennessee shows positive outlook trends with 961 professionals currently employed in the state, indicating promising opportunities in major cities such as Knoxville ($381,667), Chattanooga ($381,061), Smyrna ($379,613), and Jackson ($378,899).
Tennessee Anesthesiologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $71,802 (lowest entry-level) to $615,050 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee anesthesiologists earn 11.92% less than the national median ($-48,775/year difference).
Tennessee Anesthesiologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Anesthesiologist salaries in Tennessee range from $145,305 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $504,928 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $360,332. The Tennessee median is $48,775 below the US national median of $409,107. The average hourly rate is $173.24/hr. Approximately 961 anesthesiologists are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$264,782
2025 BLS Actual
$344,816
2026 Current Est.
$360,332
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $264,782 | Actual |
| 2020 | $276,698 | Actual |
| 2021 | $289,149 | Actual |
| 2022 | $226,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $315,758 | Actual |
| 2024 | $341,505 | Actual |
| 2025 | $344,816 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $360,332 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $376,547 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $264,782 (2019) to $344,816 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $376,547 by 2027 — a total increase of $111,765 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Murfreesboro | $337,549 |
| Franklin | $339,501 |
| Nashville | $343,638 |
| Tullahoma | $346,997 |
| Sevierville | $354,566 |
Best Value Cities for Anesthesiologists in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for anesthesiologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $404,940 | 91.8 | $441,111 |
| Knoxville | $381,667 | 91.8 | $415,759 |
| Chattanooga | $381,061 | 91.8 | $415,099 |
| Smyrna | $379,613 | 91.8 | $413,522 |
| Jackson | $378,899 | 91.8 | $412,744 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $145,305 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $360,332 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $504,928 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis | $404,940 |
| 2 | Knoxville | $381,667 |
| 3 | Chattanooga | $381,061 |
| 4 | Smyrna | $379,613 |
| 5 | Jackson | $378,899 |
| 6 | Johnson City | $378,274 |
| 7 | Bartlett | $377,709 |
| 8 | Collierville | $376,401 |
| 9 | Spring Hill | $373,515 |
| 10 | Kingsport | $373,337 |
| 11 | Morristown | $371,885 |
| 12 | Clarksville | $371,411 |
| 13 | Lebanon | $368,505 |
| 14 | Oak Ridge | $368,475 |
| 15 | Cleveland | $366,815 |
| 16 | Columbia | $365,999 |
| 17 | Germantown | $365,533 |
| 18 | Hendersonville | $364,800 |
| 19 | Gallatin | $364,163 |
| 20 | Brentwood | $362,268 |
| 21 | Shelbyville | $359,452 |
| 22 | Mount Juliet | $359,441 |
| 23 | La Vergne | $358,684 |
| 24 | Cookeville | $356,848 |
| 25 | Maryville | $356,615 |
| 26 | Sevierville | $354,566 |
| 27 | Tullahoma | $346,997 |
| 28 | Nashville | $343,638 |
| 29 | Franklin | $339,501 |
| 30 | Murfreesboro | $337,549 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore anesthesiologist hourly pay in Tennessee cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced anesthesiologists.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More Anesthesiologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do anesthesiologists make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for anesthesiologists in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee anesthesiologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level anesthesiologist salary in Tennessee?
How many anesthesiologists are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for anesthesiologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 anesthesiologist compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more anesthesiologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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