Anesthesiologist Pay

Atlanta vs McDonough: Anesthesiologist Salary (2026)

Compare anesthesiologist salaries between Atlanta, GA and McDonough, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$237,037
$113.97/hr
McDonough, GA
$367,102
$176.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GAMcDonough, GA
Median Salary$237,037$367,102
Hourly Rate$113.97$176.49
Entry Level (P10)$177,347$212,920
25th Percentile$230,767$264,314
75th Percentile$273,017$444,430
Top Earner (P90)$365,750$510,824
Total Employed7707
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($237,037) and McDonough ($367,102) anesthesiologist salaries.AtlantaMcDonoughMedian Salary$237,037$367,102Entry Level (P10)$177,347$212,920Top Earner (P90)$365,750$510,824US Median $409,107

Verdict

McDonough, GA offers better overall compensation for anesthesiologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Atlanta.

The salary gap between Atlanta and McDonough is $130,065 (54.87%). McDonough's median is -10.27% compared to the US national median of $409,107.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $188,403,McDonough spans $297,904. McDonough has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced anesthesiologists.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$177,347
P25$230,767
Median$237,037
P75$273,017
P90 (Top)$365,750
McDonough
P10 (Entry)$212,920
P25$264,314
Median$367,102
P75$444,430
P90 (Top)$510,824

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, McDonough ($394,309 effective) pays 66.45% more than Atlanta ($236,900 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $237,037
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $236,900
McDonough
Nominal: $367,102
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $394,309

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Larger job market (770 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose McDonough if…

  • Higher median salary ($367,102/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($510,824)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $394,309)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, anesthesiologist salaries in Atlanta grew 14.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.7% growth in McDonough over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+14.6%

$197,860 (2019) → $226,830 (2025)

McDonough, GA

+8.7%

$323,038 (2024) → $351,294 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays anesthesiologists more: Atlanta or McDonough?

McDonough has a higher median anesthesiologist salary at $367,102/year, compared to Atlanta at $237,037/year — a difference of $130,065 (54.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and McDonough?

Atlanta anesthesiologists earn $113.97/hr while McDonough hygienists earn $176.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to McDonough as a anesthesiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and McDonough. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $236,900, McDonough = $394,309), job availability (770 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level anesthesiologists earn in Atlanta vs McDonough?

Entry-level (10th percentile) anesthesiologists earn $177,347 in Atlanta and $212,920 in McDonough. The McDonough area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Dr. Maria Chen, MD

Career Analyst

Dr. Chen has over 10 years of experience in anesthesiology. She specializes in perioperative care at a major metropolitan hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Raj Patel, MDData verified by Dr. Amina Khan, MD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Dr. Maria Chen, MD, a licensed anesthesiologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov