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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
The data below covers the full spectrum — from six-figure metros to markets where the math is tighter. The national median salary for Anesthesiologists in 2026 is $351,495, with entry-level positions averaging $253,076 and senior roles reaching $499,122. But those numbers flatten a reality with enormous geographic variation — Sunnyvale pays a median of $640,240, while other markets fall well below the national average. We tracked 288 cities to build the complete picture.
A career as a Anesthesiologist sits at the intersection of Healthcare and Healthcare. Most professionals enter with Medical degree + residency, and the field is characterized by steady. The work itself is hospital. Understanding that context matters: it explains why certain markets pay premiums and others lag.
$389,580 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Anesthesiologist in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $640,240 — $389,580 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($250,660). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. Cost-adjusted, this occupation outearns its reputation.
The three-tier salary picture for Anesthesiologists in 2026: $253,076 at entry (P10), $351,495 at midpoint, and $499,122 at the senior end (P90). The demand picture adds context to these salary numbers. The $246,046 range from bottom to top isn't just experience — it's geography, specialization, and industry mixed together. The median itself lands $271,128 above the national median household income of $80,367.
State averages smooth out the extremes — here's what they reveal: The top 3 paying cities (Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Irvine) average $597,960 — while the bottom 3 (Toledo, Detroit, Akron) average $252,673. That $345,287 gap means choosing the right city could be the equivalent of a major promotion. Cost-adjusted, this occupation outearns its reputation.
A Anesthesiologist in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $640,240 — $389,580 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($250,660). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
The national average entry-level (P10) salary for Anesthesiologist is $253,076, while senior-level (P90) earners average $499,122. That $246,046 trajectory represents the earning growth a career in this field can deliver.
California pays the highest average median salary for Anesthesiologists at $424,236 across 61 tracked cities. The gap between #1 and #5 (New Jersey at $372,970) is $51,266.
At the 90th percentile, Anesthesiologists pull in an average of $499,122. In the top-paying markets, that figure climbs even higher — making this one of the more lucrative career trajectories in its field.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $253,076 | $351,495 | $499,122 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £131,514 | £182,658 | £259,375 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$203,644 | CA$282,839 | CA$401,632 |
| Australia | 13 | A$235,433 | A$326,990 | A$464,327 |
| Sweden | 24 | 1,389,838 kr | 1,930,331 kr | 2,741,070 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 61 | $305,450 | $424,236 | $602,415 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $295,175 | $409,965 | $582,150 |
| Hawaii | 1 | $293,544 | $407,700 | $578,934 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $271,800 | $377,500 | $536,050 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $268,538 | $372,970 | $529,617 |
| Washington | 8 | $263,374 | $365,798 | $519,432 |
| New York | 5 | $247,881 | $344,280 | $488,877 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $247,882 | $344,280 | $488,878 |
| Florida | 22 | $246,004 | $341,672 | $485,174 |
| Colorado | 11 | $241,754 | $335,769 | $476,792 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $241,358 | $335,220 | $476,012 |
| Nevada | 5 | $240,923 | $334,616 | $475,155 |
| Arizona | 12 | $239,728 | $332,955 | $472,796 |
| Oregon | 5 | $239,184 | $332,200 | $471,724 |
| Idaho | 3 | $238,459 | $331,193 | $470,295 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $236,575 | $328,576 | $466,578 |
| Utah | 4 | $235,922 | $327,670 | $465,291 |
| Virginia | 7 | $232,039 | $322,277 | $457,633 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $229,037 | $318,107 | $451,711 |
| Alaska | 1 | $228,312 | $317,100 | $450,282 |
| Illinois | 5 | $225,703 | $313,476 | $445,136 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $220,098 | $305,691 | $434,081 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $217,440 | $302,000 | $428,840 |
| Montana | 1 | $217,440 | $302,000 | $428,840 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $216,715 | $300,993 | $427,410 |
| Texas | 40 | $215,646 | $299,509 | $425,302 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $215,266 | $298,980 | $424,552 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $214,179 | $297,470 | $422,408 |
| Georgia | 6 | $213,454 | $296,463 | $420,978 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $213,091 | $295,960 | $420,263 |
| Kansas | 4 | $212,004 | $294,450 | $418,119 |
| Michigan | 6 | $211,279 | $293,443 | $416,690 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $208,743 | $289,920 | $411,687 |
| Maryland | 1 | $208,742 | $289,920 | $411,686 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $206,568 | $286,900 | $407,398 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $206,568 | $286,900 | $407,398 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $201,132 | $279,350 | $396,677 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $200,045 | $277,840 | $394,533 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $197,327 | $274,065 | $389,172 |
| Missouri | 4 | $197,327 | $274,065 | $389,173 |
| Alabama | 5 | $196,566 | $273,008 | $387,672 |
| Indiana | 3 | $193,522 | $268,780 | $381,668 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $193,522 | $268,780 | $381,668 |
| Iowa | 2 | $191,347 | $265,760 | $377,379 |
| Ohio | 6 | $190,985 | $265,257 | $376,665 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $182,650 | $253,680 | $360,226 |
The state salary map for Anesthesiologists: California at $424,236, Massachusetts at $409,965, Hawaii at $407,700 lead the pack. The bottom tier — Mississippi ($253,680), Ohio ($265,257), Iowa ($265,760) — shows how regional economics reshape compensation. Across all 46 states with data, the state-level spread alone is $170,556.
When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Sunnyvale ($640,240 nominal, 212 cost index) delivers $302,000 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunnyvale California | $640,240 | 212 | $302,000 | $311,033 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $597,960 | 198 | $302,000 | $293,027 |
| 3 | Irvine California | $555,680 | 184 | $302,000 | $274,402 |
| 4 | San Francisco California | $546,620 | 181 | $302,000 | $270,411 |
| 5 | Carlsbad California | $537,560 | 178 | $302,000 | $266,420 |
| 6 | San Jose California | $534,540 | 177 | $302,000 | $265,090 |
| 7 | Fremont California | $534,540 | 177 | $302,000 | $265,090 |
| 8 | Berkeley California | $522,460 | 173 | $302,000 | $259,769 |
| 9 | Costa Mesa California | $522,460 | 173 | $302,000 | $259,769 |
| 10 | Huntington Beach California | $510,380 | 169 | $302,000 | $254,448 |
From a career planning perspective, Anesthesiologist offers a $246,046 earning range. The 2.0× progression is steady — not explosive, but reliable. The typical entry requires Medical degree + residency. Day-to-day, expect hospital work environments. With data from 288 cities, the geographic flexibility is substantial — this career travels well.
The weighted national median salary for Anesthesiologists is $351,495 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $253,076, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $499,122.
The highest-paying city for Anesthesiologists is Sunnyvale, California with a median salary of $640,240. The top 3 cities are Sunnyvale ($640,240), Santa Clara ($597,960), Irvine ($555,680). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median Anesthesiologist salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $250,660. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level Anesthesiologists (10th percentile) average $253,076 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $460,973. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), Anesthesiologists average $499,122 nationally — $246,046 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Anesthesiologists can earn up to $909,141.
The top-paying states for Anesthesiologists are California ($424,236 median), Massachusetts ($409,965 median), Hawaii ($407,700 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a Anesthesiologist involves Medical degree + residency. The field is in the Healthcare sector (Healthcare), and the career outlook is steady. Work style is typically hospital.
With a national median of $351,495 and representation across 288 metro areas, Anesthesiologist offers above-average earning potential compared to national household income. The $246,046 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: steady.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.