Anesthetists: How to Become One

If you were to ask a group of anesthetists about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.

That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.

The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for anesthetists to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of anesthetists expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.

Keep reading to learn more about career steps for anesthetists.

What Education & Experience is Needed for Anesthetists?

Do anesthetists need a degree? What kind of experience do anesthetists typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for anesthetists to secure jobs.

Education Level Required in Job Postings for Anesthetists

No education was listed by most employers of anesthetists. According to job data, no education was required for 70% of positions. In 17% of job listings a master's degree was required and in 6% of postings a bachelor's degree was required.

Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Anesthetists

While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for anesthetists. In 52% of job postings for Anesthetists, employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience. In 38% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 8% of job postings for anesthetists.

What Kind of Degree Do Anesthetists Need?

So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for anesthetists, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?

According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 4 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective anesthetists, and in 2023 a total of 255,710 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.

Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective anesthetists.

Top Degree Programs for Anesthetists

Top Online College For Working Adults

Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.

Degree Options for Anesthetists

What Skills Do Anesthetists Need?

Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by anesthetists to secure a job?

A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for anesthetists, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.

In-Demand Skills for Today's Anesthetists
Based on 12,677 job postings

Based on 12,677 job postings related to anesthetists, anesthesias was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 70% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for anesthesiology, nursing, pre-anesthetic assessment, surgery and pediatrics were also highly sought.

As for common skills, management was the most desired skill found in job postings for anesthetists, followed by communication, leadership, customer service, writing and research.

Additional Links

Ready to dig deeper into career information about anesthetists? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for anesthetists.

What do anesthetists do?
How much do anesthetists make?

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