Anaesthetist salary: how it compares to the national average
Anaesthetists are among the highest-paid professionals in Australia, with a median full-time weekly earnings of $8,293 according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, as reported by. That is about $431,236 a year before tax – nearly four times the national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 ($108,352 a year) from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026.
But not every anaesthetist earns that much. Pay can vary significantly depending on where you work, how many hours you put in, and whether you are in the public or private sector. This article looks at what moves anaesthetist pay above or below the average – and where it sits on the line.
The median anaesthetist salary
The ABS does not publish a mean (average) salary for anaesthetists because the small number of specialists makes the average unreliable. Instead, the median is used. The median full-time weekly earnings of $8,293 means half of full-time anaesthetists earn more than that and half earn less. That figure is for non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, which excludes managers and part-time workers, giving a clearer picture of typical earnings.
For context, the national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week. The all-employees median (including part-time) is $1,425 per week (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025). Anaesthetists sit far above both.
What moves anaesthetist pay above or below the average
Even within a high-paying occupation, individual earnings can vary. Here are the main factors:
Location – State full-time averages differ, and anaesthetist pay tends to follow. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest state average at $119,090 a year, while Tasmania is lowest at $96,008. Anaesthetists in high-paying states may earn more than the national median, while those in lower-paying states may earn less. However, rural and remote areas often offer incentives to attract specialists, which can push pay above the state average.
Public vs private sector – Public hospital anaesthetists are paid under state awards or enterprise agreements, which set salary scales based on experience and seniority. Private anaesthetists bill patients directly and their income depends on caseload, procedure mix, and insurance arrangements. The public sector full-time average is $2,263.10 per week, while the private sector average is $2,034.10 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). For anaesthetists, the gap can be larger because private specialists often earn more per procedure.
Experience and seniority – A registrar training as an anaesthetist earns much less than a consultant. The median age of anaesthetists is 49, indicating many are at the peak of their careers. New fellows may start on a lower percentile, while those with decades of experience and a strong referral base can earn well above the median.
Sub-specialisation – Anaesthetists who specialise in cardiac, paediatric, or neurosurgical anaesthesia often command higher fees because of the additional risk and skill required. Those who work in pain management or intensive care may have different earning profiles.
Hours worked – The average full-time anaesthetist works 46 hours per week, two hours more than the all-occupations average of 44 hours. Overtime and on-call work can boost weekly earnings significantly. Conversely, those who choose part-time or reduced hours will have lower weekly pay.
How the figures are set
The median anaesthetist salary comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, conducted every two years. The most recent data is for May 2025. The national full-time average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, published twice a year (May and November). The May 2026 release shows a 3.7% annual increase in ordinary time earnings.
For award-covered anaesthetists, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, but anaesthetists are almost always paid well above that. Their pay is typically set by individual arrangements or collective agreements, not the minimum wage.
Where anaesthetist pay sits on the line
On the Average line, the national full-time average is the reference point. An anaesthetist earning the median of $8,293 per week is about $6,209 above the line. Even an anaesthetist at the lower end of the pay scale – say, a new fellow in a public hospital – would likely earn well above the average. Only a trainee registrar might fall below the line, but registrars are not yet qualified anaesthetists.
For a more detailed breakdown by state, see States and territories. To compare with other occupations, visit Job medians.
FAQs
What is the average anaesthetist salary in Australia? The ABS does not publish an average (mean) salary for anaesthetists. The most reliable figure is the median full-time weekly earnings of $8,293, from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, reported by Jobs and Skills Australia. That works out to about $431,236 a year before tax. The median is used because it is not skewed by a small number of very high or very low earners.
How does anaesthetist pay compare to other medical specialists? Anaesthetists are among the highest-paid medical specialists. The ABS does not publish a single median for all specialists, but the median hourly earnings for the Professionals category was $64.50 in May 2025. Anaesthetists' median hourly earnings of $218 are more than three times that. Other high-earning specialists such as surgeons and psychiatrists also have median weekly earnings well above the national average, but anaesthetists consistently rank at the top.
What factors can move an anaesthetist's pay above or below the median? Location is a major factor – anaesthetists in Western Australia or the Australian Capital Territory may earn more than those in Tasmania, reflecting state full-time averages. Public-sector anaesthetists (e.g., in public hospitals) often have different pay scales than those in private practice. Experience and sub-specialisation (e.g., paediatric or cardiac anaesthesia) also push earnings higher. Conversely, part-time work or a focus on lower-acuity procedures can reduce weekly earnings.