Anesthesiologist Salary in Virginia: $438,457 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median anesthesiologist pay sits at $438,457/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1211. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $424,861 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Norfolk ($508,465), Chesapeake ($502,934), Virginia Beach ($500,990).
The projected average median salary for anesthesiologists in Virginia for 2026 is $438,457, which is 7.2% above the national median of $409,107. The highest paying city in the state is Norfolk, with a salary of $531,346, while Falls Church represents the lowest at $389,295, creating a significant salary gap of $142,051. This disparity is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities in metropolitan areas. Virginia's unique licensing requirements and scope of practice laws can affect anesthesiology roles. The state has a relatively high demand for healthcare professionals, driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare services. Currently, there are 542 anesthesiologists employed in Virginia, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.50% based on 2025 BLS data. Top cities with projected salaries include Chesapeake at $525,566, Virginia Beach at $523,535, and Roanoke at $510,284. The job market outlook for anesthesiologists in Virginia suggests increasing opportunities, particularly in urban centers where healthcare demand continues to rise.
Virginia Anesthesiologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $40,389 (lowest entry-level) to $802,946 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia anesthesiologists earn 7.17% more than the national median (+$29,350/year difference).
Virginia Anesthesiologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Anesthesiologist salaries in Virginia range from $254,305 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $631,578 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $438,457. The Virginia median is $29,350 above the US national median of $409,107. The average hourly rate is $210.80/hr. Approximately 542 anesthesiologists are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$193,160
2025 BLS Actual
$419,576
2026 Current Est.
$438,457
2019–2027 Growth
+137.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $193,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $201,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $351,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $367,673 | Actual |
| 2023 | $384,218 | Actual |
| 2024 | $389,794 | Actual |
| 2025 | $419,576 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $438,457 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $458,187 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 117.2% from $193,160 (2019) to $419,576 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $458,187 by 2027 — a total increase of $265,027 (137.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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 Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Falls Church | $389,295 |
| Herndon | $395,485 |
| Williamsburg | $399,803 |
| Winchester | $399,982 |
| Annandale | $400,573 |
Best Value Cities for Anesthesiologists in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for anesthesiologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke | $510,284 | 93.618 | $545,070 |
| Virginia Beach | $523,535 | 97.941 | $534,541 |
| Norfolk | $531,346 | 103.2 | $514,870 |
| Chesapeake | $525,566 | 103.2 | $509,269 |
| Richmond | $433,108 | 103.2 | $419,678 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $254,305 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $438,457 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $631,578 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norfolk | $531,346 |
| 2 | Chesapeake | $525,566 |
| 3 | Virginia Beach | $523,535 |
| 4 | Roanoke | $510,284 |
| 5 | Richmond | $433,108 |
| 6 | Newport News | $425,482 |
| 7 | Hampton | $421,731 |
| 8 | Centreville | $419,766 |
| 9 | Blacksburg | $418,723 |
| 10 | Lynchburg | $418,562 |
| 11 | Burke | $416,921 |
| 12 | Harrisonburg | $416,054 |
| 13 | Suffolk | $415,118 |
| 14 | Tuckahoe | $413,939 |
| 15 | Ashburn | $413,346 |
| 16 | McLean | $413,317 |
| 17 | Reston | $412,877 |
| 18 | Danville | $412,793 |
| 19 | Alexandria | $411,582 |
| 20 | Fredericksburg | $411,024 |
| 21 | Dale City | $410,938 |
| 22 | Manassas | $410,499 |
| 23 | Salem | $409,353 |
| 24 | Leesburg | $408,764 |
| 25 | Portsmouth | $408,530 |
| 26 | Mechanicsville | $407,878 |
| 27 | Springfield | $406,437 |
| 28 | Bristol | $405,995 |
| 29 | Woodbridge | $405,880 |
| 30 | Sterling | $405,093 |
| 31 | Staunton | $404,799 |
| 32 | Charlottesville | $404,668 |
| 33 | Lake Ridge | $404,570 |
| 34 | Linton Hall | $404,111 |
| 35 | Radford | $403,804 |
| 36 | Fairfax | $403,074 |
| 37 | Waynesboro | $401,105 |
| 38 | Annandale | $400,573 |
| 39 | Winchester | $399,982 |
| 40 | Williamsburg | $399,803 |
| 41 | Herndon | $395,485 |
| 42 | Falls Church | $389,295 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore anesthesiologist hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced anesthesiologists.
Explore More Anesthesiologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do anesthesiologists make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for anesthesiologists in Virginia?
How does Virginia anesthesiologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level anesthesiologist salary in Virginia?
How many anesthesiologists are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia 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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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, 4-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