Anesthesiologist Salary in Seattle, WA: $676,042 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in Seattle, WA earns a median $676,042/year (≈ $325.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in Seattle's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.1), that paycheck buys what $608,318 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 53.9% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Seattle, Washington, anesthesiologists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $676,042 in 2026, reflecting a significant 65.25% premium over the national average of $409,107. The expected salary range spans from $440,760 at the 10th percentile to $676,052 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a healthy compensation environment for seasoned professionals. This data, derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, illustrates how critical the choice between W-2 hospital employment and private group partnership structures is in shaping compensation in this market. With Seattle's competitive job landscape, understanding the pay dynamics is essential for anesthesiologists seeking to maximize their earnings while balancing aspects such as case load and practice type.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $440,760 | $211.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $522,490 | $251.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $676,042 | $325.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $676,052 | $325.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $676,052 | $325.03 |
Median Salary Position
65.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Seattle
In Seattle, WA, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $235,292 (2026 est.). At $676,042, the local median is 65.25% above the national median of $409,107.
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How Seattle Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
Seattle median: $676,042/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Seattle Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $439,273 | +53.90% more |
| National Average | $409,107 | +65.25% more |
Anesthesiologists in Seattle, WA earn a median of $676,042 per year (2026 est.), which is 65.25% higher than the national median of $409,107 and 53.90% above the Washington state average of $439,273.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Seattle has a cost of living 11.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Seattle, WA has a cost-of-living index of 111.133 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $676,042 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $608,318 — a 10.02% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$496,775
2025 BLS Actual
$646,930
2026 Current Est.
$676,042
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $496,775 | Actual |
| 2020 | $519,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $542,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $566,903 | Actual |
| 2023 | $592,413 | Actual |
| 2024 | $484,831 | Actual |
| 2025 | $646,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $676,042 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $706,464 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Seattle metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $496,775 (2019) to $646,930 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $706,464 by 2027 — a total increase of $209,689 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle 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) | $440,760 – $522,490 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $522,490 – $676,042 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $676,042 – $676,052 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $676,052 – $676,052 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in Seattle
Currently, there are approximately 990 anesthesiologists employed in Seattle, contributing to a robust local job market conducive to specialized medical practices. With a cost-of-living index of 111.133, which indicates above-average living expenses, it's critical for anesthesiologists to consider how far their salaries will stretch in this metropolitan area. Those affiliated with large hospital systems typically enjoy higher base salaries, whereas private anesthesia groups may offer partnership-like revenue-sharing models that enhance earnings through equity ownership and performance bonuses. The variation in pay is often driven by factors such as case volume, fellowship training, and the shift between hospital employment (W-2) versus independent practice (1099). Anesthesiologists in Seattle should consider options like taking on locum tenens shifts or pursuing subspecialty certifications to enhance both their earnings and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can anesthesiologists make $100K in Seattle?
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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 $646,930 for anesthesiologistsin the Seattle 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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