Anesthesiologists

Administer anesthetics and analgesics for pain management prior to, during, or after surgery.

Jobs growth:
+3% projected 2024โ€“2034
Doctoral or professional degree
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Anesthesiologists work in operating rooms, labor and delivery suites, and pain management clinics, where they carefully manage patients' consciousness and comfort during medical procedures. Before surgery, they meet with patients to review medical histories, discuss anesthesia options, and develop customized plans based on the procedure type and patient health factors. During operations, they administer anesthetics through IVs or breathing masks, then continuously monitor vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and breathing patterns, making real-time adjustments to keep patients safe and pain-free. They work alongside surgeons and nurses as part of a coordinated surgical team, making critical decisions if complications arise. Beyond the operating room, anesthesiologists also manage pain for patients with chronic conditions or those recovering from major procedures, using techniques ranging from medication to nerve blocks. The role demands exceptional attention to detail, as small dosage errors can have serious consequences. Strong decision-making skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure are essential, since they often handle life-threatening situations. Anesthesiologists typically work in hospitals or surgical centers, though their schedules can include long hours, nights, weekends, and being on-call for emergency surgeries.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Medicine(professional)Stanford University, CA
$79,753
Medicine(professional)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
$78,891
Medicine(doctoral)SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, NY
$78,551
Medicine(professional)University of California-San Francisco, CA
$76,908
Medicine(doctoral)Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY
$76,744
Medicine(professional)Harvard University, MA
$76,146
Medicine(doctoral)Yale University, CT
$75,823
Medicine(professional)University of Southern California, CA
$75,814
Medicine(professional)Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY
$75,053
Medicine(professional)University of California-Los Angeles, CA
$74,916
Medicine(professional)CUNY City College, NY
$74,620
Medicine(professional)Hofstra University, NY
$74,616
Medicine(professional)New York Medical College, NY
$73,918
Medicine(professional)Stony Brook University, NY
$73,751
Medicine(professional)California University of Science and Medicine, CA
$72,848
Medicine(professional)California Northstate University, CA
$72,848
Medicine(professional)California Health Sciences University, CA
$72,848
Medicine(professional)University of California-Davis, CA
$72,848
Medicine(professional)University of California-Riverside, CA
$72,848
Medicine(professional)Samuel Merritt University, CA
$72,848
Medicine(professional)University of California-San Diego, CA
$72,848
Medicine(professional)Brown University, RI
$72,351
Medicine(professional)New York University, NY
$71,718
Medicine(professional)SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, NY
$71,718
Medicine(professional)Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY
$71,718

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