Anesthesiologists were the ninth-highest-paid physician specialty this year, according to Medscape's 2023 "Physician Compensation Report" published April 14, which surveyed more than 10,000 physicians across 29 specialties.
Anesthesiologists earn an average of $448,000 a year, according to the report. Here is the difference in pay between anesthesiologists and the highest- and lowest-earning physician specialties:
Highest-paying specialties:
1. Plastic surgeons: $171,000 more than anesthesiologists
2. Orthopedic surgeons: $125,000 more
3. Cardiologists: $59,000 more
4. Urologists: $58,000 more
5. Gastroenterologists: $53,000 more
Lowest-paying specialties:
1. Public health and preventive medicine physicians: $199,000 less
2. Pediatricians: $197,000 less
3. Family medicine physicians: $193,000 less
4. Infectious disease physicians: $186,000 less
5. Diabetes and endocrinologists: $181,000 less than anesthesiologists