The average anesthesiologist salary in the UK is around £96,000 a year, ranging from roughly £87,000 for entry-level to £104,000+ for senior consultants.
The role of an Anesthesiologist in the UK is both critical and rewarding. As healthcare systems increasingly prioritize patient safety and advanced medical care, the demand for skilled anesthesiologists remains robust. From leading hospitals in London to specialized clinics in Manchester and Edinburgh, employers are actively seeking highly trained professionals, offering competitive salaries and opportunities for career advancement.
Anesthesiologist salary
Base pay £87K – £104K/yr
£96K/yr average base pay
The estimated salary for a Anesthesiologist is £95,512 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The “Most Likely Range” represents values that exist within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role.
The “Most Likely Range” reflects values within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role. Glassdoor salaries are powered by our proprietary machine learning model, which utilises salaries collected from our users and the latest government data to make pay predictions.
What do Anesthesiologist earn
How much does a Anesthesiologist make in United Kingdom?
£113,145/yr
Anesthesiologist salary by experience in the UK
| Experience | Salary |
| Entry | £87,000–£96,000 |
| Mid | £96,000–£100,000 |
| Senior | £104,000+ |
Anesthesiologist pay in the UK depends heavily on setting: NHS consultants follow a fixed national pay scale, while private practice — often combined with NHS work — can substantially increase total earnings. Years of experience, on-call/weekend sessions worked, and sub-specialisation all affect where someone lands in this range. See how this compares to our Pediatrician salary guide, or use Debut’s Paycheck Calculator to check your take-home pay.
How to Become an Anesthesiologist in the UK
Becoming an anesthesiologist (anaesthetist) in the UK requires a 5-6 year MBBS medical degree, 2 years of Foundation Training, then Core Anaesthetic Training (CT1-2) followed by Higher Specialty Training (ST3-7) — roughly 7-8 years of specialty training to reach consultant level. Doctors register with the GMC and work toward Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (FRCA). Given the demanding on-call and theatre schedules, anaesthesia is one of the higher-paying medical specialties even at consultant entry level.
Highest paying cities for Anesthesiologist near United Kingdom
- Plymouth £126,407 per year
16 salaries reported - Bristol £119,761 per year
21 salaries reported - Coventry £117,117 per year
34 salaries reported - Manchester £111,671 per year
6 salaries reported - London £110,673 per year
44 salaries reported - Ormskirk £110,350 per year
11 salaries reported - Southampton £108,954 per year
8 salaries reported - Prescot £106,893 per year
7 salaries reported - Burnley £105,421 per year
6 salaries reported
FAQs About Anesthesiologist Salaries
How long does it take to become an anesthesiologist in the UK?
Around 14-15 years total: 5-6 years of medical school, 2 years of Foundation Training, and roughly 7-8 years of anaesthetic specialty training to reach consultant level.
Do anesthesiologists earn more with private practice?
Yes — many NHS consultant anaesthetists supplement their income with private theatre sessions, which can meaningfully increase total earnings beyond the NHS pay scale.
Is anesthesiology one of the highest-paying medical specialties in the UK?
Yes — alongside surgery and radiology, anaesthesia consistently ranks among the higher-earning specialties, partly due to demanding on-call and out-of-hours theatre work.
