Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 4/20/2007

Question
Hello, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. In the 4 years one takes of residency, to become an anesthesiologist, how much does one earn? Is it enough to live off or will one have to get another job? In many of your responses on how to become an anesthesiologist, you say that one can major in anything one wants in college, as long as one takes the required premedical course. Is this premedical course just one? How long does it take to accomplish this course? What does this premedical course consist of? Does one take this course in high school or in a community college, meaning will one still be able to go to college right after graduating high school, as usual?  

Answer
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In the 4 years one takes of residency, to become an anesthesiologist, how much does one earn?

Anywhere from $30,000 to $45,000.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Is it enough to live off or will one have to get another job?

It's enough to live on and you can't work another job...you're already working 80 hours a week.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In many of your responses on how to become an anesthesiologist, you say that one can major in anything one wants in college, as long as one takes the required premedical course. Is this premedical course just one?

No, there are several. You need 2 semesters of organic chemistry, 2 semesters of inorganic chemistry, calculus, physics, biology, etc.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
How long does it take to accomplish this course?

approximately 2 years.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
What does this premedical course consist of? Does one take this course in high school or in a community college, meaning will one still be able to go to college right after graduating high school, as usual?   

These are all college courses.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate PRofessor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston