Anesthesiologist Assistants

What is a Anesthesiologist Assistant? According to ExploreHealthCareer.org Anesthesiologist assistants are highly skilled professionals who work under the direction of licensed anesthesiologists (specialist physicians) and as part of anesthesia care team to design and implement anesthesia care plans.

They accompany the patient before, during and after anesthesia to ensure quality and continuity of care. Anesthesiologist assistants are trained to assist in life-saving measures, such as CPR, and advanced cardiac life support. Salary: $175,000 starting 

 Institutional Members: Institutional Members are AA programs that possess CAAHEP accreditation status. Program accreditation information including award letters and program director contact information can be accessed by searching underFind An Accredited Programon the CAAHEP website.

Bluefield University/Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (Bluefield/VCOM)

• Auburn, AL

Case Western Reserve University

• Austin, TX
• Cleveland, OH
• Houston, TX
• Washington, D.C

Emory University

• Atlanta, GA

Indiana University

• Indianapolis, IN

Medical College of Wisconsin

• Milwaukee, WI

Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)

• Rootstown, OH

Nova Southeastern University

• Denver-Centennial, CO
• Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• Jacksonville, FL
• Tampa, FL

Ohio Dominican University

• Columbus, OH

South University

• Orlando, FL
• Savannah, GA
• West Palm Beach, FL

University of Colorado

• Denver, CO

University of Missouri - Kansas City

• Kansas City, MO

University of New Mexico

• Albuquerque, NM

Provisional Members: New and emerging AA education program applicants for CAAHEP accreditation in collaboration with the ARC-AA are eligible to apply for AAAEP Provisional Membership status. AAAEP Provisional Membership status is valid for 1 year.
St. Louis University

• St. Louis MO

Nova Southeastern University

• Orlando, FL

University of Texas Health Sciences Center

• Houston, TX

Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants can work in the following 20 states: 

Washington, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Vermont, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida

Highlight program: Medical College of Wisconsin

3-year averages 

Total Applicants: 366

Interview Offers: 55

Admitted Students: 18

Average GPA: 3.73

Average CUM: 3.7

Percentage of WI Residents: 87%

Percentage with Prior Healthcare Experience: 80%

When employed within the same department and when possessing the same job description and experience level within the anesthesia care team, CAAs and CRNAs are compensated with identical salary and benefit packages.

National Average Salary for CRNAs
 
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse anesthetists across the country earn an average annual salary of $174,790.

That said, this figure is greatly affected by a number of factors, including your type of employer, location, and level of education and experience. Those within the top 10% of earners report making more than $200,000 per year. 

4 years of medical school and 4 years of residency to become an anesthesiologist: https://www.careersinhealthcare.com/anesthesiologist/

Nurse anesthetist vs. anesthesiologist: 

https://www.wgu.edu/blog/nurse-anesthetist-vs-anesthesiologist2003.html
https://work.chron.com/anesthetist-vs-anesthesiologist-6475.html

Updated 2/22/2025 HB