Best institutions to study Anesthesiologist Assistant
A program that prepares individuals to assist anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in developing and implementing patient anesthesia care plans, including preoperative, surgical theater, recovery room, and postoperative/intensive care procedures.
24 U.S. institutions graduated 497 Anesthesiologist Assistant students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0809, a specialization of Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (CIP 51.08), and leads most directly to the Medical Assistants occupation (BLS SOC 31-9092).
About Anesthesiologist Assistant programs
A program that prepares individuals to assist anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in developing and implementing patient anesthesia care plans, including preoperative, surgical theater, recovery room, and postoperative/intensive care procedures. Includes instruction in patient data collection, catheter insertion, airway management and drug administration, assisting the administration and monitoring of regional and peripheral nerve blockades, support therapy, adjusting anesthetic levels during surgery, interoperative monitoring, postoperative procedures, pain clinics and patient education, and administrative tasks.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Anesthesiologist Assistant program prepares individuals to support anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in providing comprehensive anesthesia care. This includes developing and implementing patient care plans across various settings such as preoperative, surgical, and postoperative environments. Students learn to assist in critical procedures and ensure patient safety throughout the anesthesia process.
Core coursework covers essential skills such as patient data collection, airway management, and drug administration. Students also gain knowledge in monitoring anesthesia levels during surgery and understanding postoperative care, which is vital for effective patient management.
Credentials awarded
What Anesthesiologist Assistant graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree427 graduates / yr · 12 institutions86%
- Associate's degree48 graduates / yr · 11 institutions9.7%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate19 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.8%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
Graduates over time
Anesthesiologist Assistant completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 193 |
| 2013 | 206 |
| 2014 | 197 |
| 2015 | 191 |
| 2016 | 262 |
| 2017 | 240 |
| 2018 | 266 |
| 2019 | 307 |
| 2020 | 321 |
| 2021 | 327 |
| 2022 | 371 |
| 2023 | 382 |
| 2024 | 423 |
| 2025 | 497 |
Top 24 institutions for Anesthesiologist Assistant, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 152 | 63% | $31,672 | — |
| 2 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 88 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
| 3 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 38 | 91% | $20,586 | — |
| 4 | South University - Savannah Savannah, GAPrivate for-profitMaster's | 27 | 9% | $25,764 | $39,761 |
| 5 | South University - Tampa Tampa, FLPrivate for-profitMaster's | 23 | 23% | $26,509 | $39,761 |
| 6 | Ohio Dominican University Columbus, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 22 | 41% | $19,408 | — |
| 7 | South University - West Palm Beach Royal Palm Beach, FLPrivate for-profitMaster's | 20 | 18% | $23,164 | $39,761 |
| 8 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicMaster's | 19 | 54% | — | — |
| 9 | Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 17 | — | — | — |
| 10 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicMaster's | 15 | 46% | — | — |
| 11 | Northeast Ohio Medical University Rootstown, OHPublicMaster's | 13 | — | — | — |
| 12 | University of Missouri - Kansas City Kansas City, MOPublicMaster's | 12 | 55% | — | — |
| 13 | Renton Technical College Renton, WAPublicAssociate's | 10 | 46% | — | — |
| 14 | Wayne County Community College District Detroit, MIPublicAssociate's | 8 | 22% | — | — |
| 15 | Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PAPublicAssociate's | 7 | 24% | — | $36,439 |
| 16 | Chemeketa Community College Salem, ORPublicAssociate's | 5 | 21% | — | — |
| 17 | Columbia State Community College Columbia, TNPublicAssociate's | 4 | 30% | — | — |
| 18 | Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TXPublicAssociate's | 4 | 34% | — | — |
| 19 | Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WIPublicAssociate's | 4 | 25% | — | $34,030 |
| 20 | American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education Piscataway, NJPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 88% | $40,225 | $30,657 |
| 21 | Durham Technical Community College Durham, NCPublicAssociate's | 2 | 45% | — | — |
| 22 | Community College of Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicAssociate's | 2 | 19% | — | — |
| 23 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAssociate's | 1 | 25% | — | $40,196 |
| 24 | Oklahoma City Community College Oklahoma City, OKPublicAssociate's | 1 | 27% | — | $29,838 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services field (CIP 51.08) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 18 states
Where Anesthesiologist Assistant graduates come from. Each state links to all Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 3 | 195 | Nova Southeastern University152 / yr |
| Ohio | 3 | 123 | Case Western Reserve University88 / yr |
| Georgia | 2 | 65 | Emory University38 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 21 | Medical College of Wisconsin17 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 19 | Indiana University - Indianapolis19 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 15 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus15 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 12 | University of Missouri - Kansas City12 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 10 | Renton Technical College10 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 8 | Wayne County Community College District8 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 7 | Community College of Allegheny County7 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 5 | Chemeketa Community College5 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 4 | Columbia State Community College4 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 4 | Tarrant County College District4 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 3 | American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education3 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 2 | Durham Technical Community College2 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 2 | Community College of Baltimore County2 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | College of DuPage1 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 1 | Oklahoma City Community College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 31-9092, Medical Assistants, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Anesthesiologist Assistant program can pursue careers as Medical Assistants, with a strong job outlook projected to grow by 12.5%. With approximately 112,300 annual openings and a median wage of $44,200, this field offers promising opportunities for those with a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0809
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical Assistantsprimary SOC 31-9092 | $45,690 | +12.5% Much faster than average | ~112,300 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Anesthesiologist Assistant programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
- Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
- Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
- Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients.
- Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
- Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.
Tools and technology used
Other Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services specializations
The 13 other 6-digit CIP codes under Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (CIP 51.08).
- Medical/CIP 51.0801
Clinical Assistant 55,276 graduates / yr1,057 institutions - Pharmacy Technician/CIP 51.0805
Assistant 8,060 graduates / yr353 institutions - Physical Therapy AssistantCIP 51.08065,489 graduates / yr360 institutions
- Allied Health and Medical Assisting ServicesCIP 51.08994,386 graduates / yr75 institutions
- Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance)CIP 51.08104,277 graduates / yr79 institutions
- Occupational Therapist AssistantCIP 51.08033,204 graduates / yr213 institutions
- Radiologist AssistantCIP 51.0814partial data1,676 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Clinical/CIP 51.0802
Medical Laboratory Assistant 663 graduates / yr34 institutions - Speech-Language Pathology AssistantCIP 51.0816304 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Respiratory Therapy Technician/CIP 51.0812
Assistant 258 graduates / yr19 institutions - Pathology/CIP 51.0811
Pathologist Assistant 178 graduates / yr13 institutions - Lactation ConsultantCIP 51.0815partial data47 graduates / yr4 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Chiropractic Technician/
Assistant51.0813
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services programs →
Common questions
What degree do I need to become an Anesthesiologist Assistant?+
Most programs award a Master's degree, though some offer Associate's degrees and certificates.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You'll develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, monitoring, and patient communication.
What is the job outlook for this career?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a projected growth rate of 12.5%.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 24 colleges offering the Anesthesiologist Assistant program across the United States.
What is the CIP code for Anesthesiologist Assistant?+
Anesthesiologist Assistant is CIP 51.0809 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (CIP 51.08). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to assist anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in developing and implementing patient anesthesia care plans, including preoperative, surgical theater, recovery room, and postoperative/intensive care procedures. Includes instruction in patient data collection, catheter insertion, airway management and drug administration, assisting the administration and monitoring of regional and peripheral nerve blockades, support therapy, adjusting anesthetic levels during surgery, interoperative monitoring, postoperative procedures, pain clinics and patient education, and administrative tasks.
How many institutions offer Anesthesiologist Assistant programs?+
24 U.S. institutions reported Anesthesiologist Assistant graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 18 states, awarding 497 credentials in the year. That is 0.6% of all Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services graduates.
How much do Anesthesiologist Assistant graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Medical Assistants occupation, which Anesthesiologist Assistant most directly leads to, pays a median of $45,690 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services field report median earnings of $39,761 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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