Anesthesiologist Salary in Knoxville, TN: $381,667 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in Knoxville, TN earns a median $381,667/year (≈ $183.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $415,759 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Projected for 2026, an anesthesiologist salary in Knoxville is about $381,667, slightly below the national median of $409,107. This compensation landscape illustrates a significant intersection between employment structure and earnings, particularly distinguishing between W-2 hospital employees and private group partnerships. In Knoxville, the overall salary range spans from $221,368 at the 10th percentile to $569,244 at the 90th percentile, emphasizing the diverse compensation packages that can exist. Local estimates developed from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional pricing provide clear insights into the market dynamics at play, which are shaped by case volumes, partnerships, and practice models unique to the area. Given these factors, anesthesiologists should consider the implications of their employment choices on potential earnings in Knoxville.
About the Knoxville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($360,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $221,368 | $106.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $274,801 | $132.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $381,667 | $183.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $488,534 | $234.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $569,244 | $273.68 |
Median Salary Position
6.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $347,876 (2026 est.). At $381,667, the local median is 6.71% below the national median of $409,107.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Knoxville Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $381,667/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $375,657 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $409,107 | -6.71% less |
Anesthesiologists in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $381,667 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.71% lower than the national median of $409,107 and 1.60% above the Tennessee state average of $375,657.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Knoxville has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Knoxville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A anesthesiologist earning $381,667 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $415,759 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$280,460
2025 BLS Actual
$365,232
2026 Current Est.
$381,667
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $280,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $293,081 | Actual |
| 2021 | $306,269 | Actual |
| 2022 | $320,052 | Actual |
| 2023 | $334,454 | Actual |
| 2024 | $335,854 | Actual |
| 2025 | $365,232 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $381,667 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $398,842 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $280,460 (2019) to $365,232 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $398,842 by 2027 — a total increase of $118,382 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville 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) | $221,368 – $274,801 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $274,801 – $381,667 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $381,667 – $488,534 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $488,534 – $569,244 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in Knoxville
In this region, a total of 35 anesthesiologists are currently employed, reflecting a stable job market. The lower cost of living index at 91.8 also enhances the effective purchasing power for professionals within the area. Among local employers, hospital systems typically offer W-2 employed positions that provide stability, while private anesthesia groups may present lucrative partnership opportunities with incentives tied to call burden and equity shares. The spread in anesthesiologist pay in Knoxville TN can be attributed to factors including call rotations, subspecialty fellowship training, and the overall volume of cases handled. To maximize compensation, anesthesiologists should consider negotiating RVU bonuses when employed by hospitals, while private practice physicians might enhance earnings through strategic partnership. Understanding these incentives and demands is vital for anyone exploring how much do anesthesiologists make in Knoxville.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do anesthesiologists make in Knoxville, TN in 2026?
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Can anesthesiologists make $100K in Knoxville?
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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 $365,232 for anesthesiologistsin the Knoxville 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 Knoxville 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