The role of the Anesthesiologist has been trending up over the last four years, and an increasing number of people want to know more about what this job entails. A new study by RIVANNA®, which aims to analyze the growth of search interest for anesthesiologist job opportunities across the United States, has revealed some significant findings.

The following information demonstrates a rising demand for anesthesiologists across the U.S., with clear trends emerging and marked regional disparities. Expert insights may shed light on the factors fueling this growth. We examined search trends across the U.S. using the Google search index score of 0 to 100, with 0 being low search interest and 100 being the highest.

Key Takeaways

  • The search for anesthesiologist jobs has shown a noticeable upward trend, growing by 46% from August 2020 to August 2024.
  • Texas and Georgia have the highest interest levels at 100, indicating a significant regional focus on anesthesiologist jobs in these states.
  • States like Louisiana and South Dakota also show high-interest levels of 99 and 96, respectively, highlighting widespread and consistent interest in the profession across various regions.

Significant Growth Since 2020

The analysis of the Internet search interest reveals a noticeable trend over the past few years. The weekly interest levels for anesthesiologist jobs grew by 46% from August 2020 to August 2024.

The highest interest level was observed in March 2023, reaching a peak of 100. The weekly interest levels for anesthesiologist jobs have fluctuated over the years, with an average of 44.34.

States With the Most Job Searches

Over five years, the geographical analysis highlights that certain states, particularly in the southern and eastern regions of the U.S., have a higher interest in anesthesiologist jobs. Texas and Georgia have the highest interest levels at 100, indicating a significant regional focus on anesthesiologist jobs in these states. Kentucky, Rhode Island, and New Mexico also show high-interest levels of 91, highlighting widespread and consistent interest in the profession across various regions.

Insights From Our Experts

According to Dr. Brandon Togioka, Vice Chair of Clinical Research for the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at OHSU, the increased search interest is partly due to the job market and the number of job offers available. He estimates receiving about one job offer per week, leading clinicians to follow up by performing a search.

Anesthesiologist Dr. Steve Garber adds that the increase in job search activity is also driven by the availability of temporary positions, often known as “locum tenens” jobs. These positions offer higher pay and other benefits, making them attractive to anesthesiologists.

Dr. Togioka also emphasizes the importance of finding the right fit for the institution and the physician. He suggests looking for characteristics that align with the institution’s goals, such as prior experience with specific techniques or devices or personal connections to the area. He underlined that he doesn’t “heavily weight AI concerning experience currently, although that may change. We do value experience and aptitude with bedside ultrasound, publication experience, and past teaching awards.”

The study indicates a growing interest in anesthesiologist jobs across the U.S., with notable trends and significant regional differences over time. The expert commentary further illuminates the factors driving this increased interest, including job market dynamics, temporary positions, and the importance of finding a suitable fit for the institution and the physician.

Methodology

Our analysis is based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. The study utilized data from Google Trends to analyze the search interest index in anesthesiologist jobs across the U.S. We looked at the weekly interest levels from September 2019 to September 2024. We also analyzed interest by state. While Google Trends data offers valuable insights, it may only capture some dimensions of interest in anesthesiologist jobs and is limited to the specified timeframe. Interviews with experienced anesthesiologists, including Dr. Togioka and Dr. Garber, were conducted to gather insights into their perspectives on the job market.