Jobs Similar to Anesthesiologists
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to anesthesiologists, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Nurse Anesthetists, Critical Care Nurses and Optometrists.
Anesthesiologists: $391,490 median pay · usual preparation: Graduate degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Anesthesiologists) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nurse AnesthetistsSame group | 82% | $236,590−40% | Graduate degree |
| 2 | Critical Care NursesSame group | 81% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | OptometristsSame group | 81% | $136,570−65% | Graduate degree |
| 4 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsSame group | 81% | $292,910−25% | Graduate degree |
| 5 | UrologistsSame group | 80% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 6 | Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeonsSame group | 80% | $352,220−10% | Graduate degree |
| 7 | Emergency Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 80% | $335,550−14% | Graduate degree |
| 8 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansSame group | 80% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 9 | Acute Care NursesSame group | 79% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Ophthalmologists, Except PediatricSame group | 78% | $300,080−23% | Graduate degree |
| 11 | Sports Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 78% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 12 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 78% | $256,560−34% | Graduate degree |
| 13 | OrthodontistsSame group | 78% | $289,140−26% | Graduate degree |
| 14 | Exercise PhysiologistsSame group | 78% | $59,460−85% | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Nurse PractitionersSame group | 77% | $132,300−66% | Graduate degree |
| 16 | PodiatristsSame group | 77% | $160,300−59% | Graduate degree |
| 17 | VeterinariansSame group | 77% | $130,100−67% | Graduate degree |
| 18 | Anesthesiologist AssistantsSame group | 77% | $135,880Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 19 | RadiologistsSame group | 77% | $420,860+8% | Graduate degree |
| 20 | PharmacistsSame group | 77% | $140,910−64% | Graduate degree |
- 1Nurse Anesthetists
82% similar · $236,590 (−40%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Critical Care Nurses
81% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 3Optometrists
81% similar · $136,570 (−65%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 4Obstetricians and Gynecologists
81% similar · $292,910 (−25%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 5Urologists
80% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 6Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
80% similar · $352,220 (−10%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 7Emergency Medicine Physicians
80% similar · $335,550 (−14%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
80% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 9Acute Care Nurses
79% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 10Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
78% similar · $300,080 (−23%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 11Sports Medicine Physicians
78% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 12General Internal Medicine Physicians
78% similar · $256,560 (−34%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Orthodontists
78% similar · $289,140 (−26%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 14Exercise Physiologists
78% similar · $59,460 (−85%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 15Nurse Practitioners
77% similar · $132,300 (−66%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 16Podiatrists
77% similar · $160,300 (−59%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 17Veterinarians
77% similar · $130,100 (−67%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 18Anesthesiologist Assistants
77% similar · $135,880 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 19Radiologists
77% similar · $420,860 (+8%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 20Pharmacists
77% similar · $140,910 (−64%) · Graduate degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than anesthesiologists.
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for anesthesiologists also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Questions about jobs like anesthesiologists
What jobs are most similar to anesthesiologists?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Nurse Anesthetists (82% similar), Critical Care Nurses (81% similar), Optometrists (81% similar), Obstetricians and Gynecologists (81% similar) and Urologists (80% similar).
Which jobs like anesthesiologists pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Radiologists ($420,860, +8%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with anesthesiologists ($391,490). Without more preparation than anesthesiologists usually need: Radiologists.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.