State

• Anesthesiologists in Georgia made an average of $83.18 per hour as of 2010, according to the Georgia Labor Market Explorer. Based on a 40-hour work week, anesthesiologists in the state earned an average of $173,014 per year. Annual salaries were 18 percent below the national average of $211,750 as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Entry-level anesthesiologists in Georgia received average wages of $46.84 per hour and $97,427 per year in 2010.
  
  

Cities

• The rural areas in eastern Georgia featured the highest rates of pay for anesthesiologists as of May 2009, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Physicians in the specialty made an average of $189,050 per year. In Augusta, anesthesiologists received an average of $166,700 annually, while those working in Columbus averaged $158,110 per year. Anesthesiologists in Atlanta, Sandy Springs and Marietta earned a yearly average of $148,680. Salaries in the greater Atlanta area were 14 percent below the nationwide average, making anesthesiologists there the lowest-paid in Georgia.
  
  

Education

• Anesthesiologists typically begin their college education by completing four years of undergraduate education. Then, they must attend a medical school program that has the accreditation of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. As of March 2011, Georgia served as home to four accredited medical schools: the Emory University School of Medicine and Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine in Augusta and Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon.
  
  

Residencies

• After graduating from medical school, prospective anesthesiologists must complete a four-year residency in anesthesiology at an institution approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. As of March 2011, two schools in Georgia offered accredited residency programs: Emory University in Atlanta and Georgia Health Sciences University Program in Augusta.
  
  Some anesthesiologists choose to further specialize in the field after finishing their residency. These physicians then complete a one-year ACGME-accredited fellowship program. Emory University offers accredited fellowships in cardiothoracic, critical care and pediatric anesthesiology. Both Emory and the Georgia Health Sciences University Program provide a fellowship program in pain medicine anesthesiology.