AA's impact on future salary

Im not an expert on AAs.

However, economically they should have 0 impact. Not because of their low numbers, but because they get similar salaries.

jwk wouldnt you agree?

AA's - 0 impact.
Insurance companies - tremendous impact.

It's my understanding AAs do not have similar salaries, rather are paid an average of 80K. Like I said...someone told me this, so if I'm mistaken, pardon please.

Yep, you're mistaken. Mmac is correct-the salaries are similar. In practices that employ both AA's and CRNA's, they are paid the same for comparable experience.

Salaries and compensation is pretty much a supply and demand thing - where there's plenty of supply, there's not as much demand so salaries are lower or stagnant. In hot markets where supply is slim and demand is high, practices are actively competing against each other for anesthetists. 10 years ago you rarely saw big sign-on bonuses or tuition reimbursement. Both are very common now, with some totalling $50k or higher for a 2-3 year committment. That's a big chunk for someone with $50-100k in loans or more from tuition and expenses.

The biggest difference I think is in the jump in overall compensation that occurs from group and larger hospital practices to small rural and locum tenens arrangements. Locums can easily double an average salary - if you like the lifestyle.

Cool, not to change subject, but would you be so kind to explain locum's "lifestyle." Don't know anyone with such experince and was interested in hearing from someone with knowlegde.
thanx