Anesthesiologist Pay

Chesapeake vs Radford: Anesthesiologist Salary (2026)

Compare anesthesiologist salaries between Chesapeake, VA and Radford, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chesapeake, VA
$525,566
$252.68/hr
Radford, VA
$403,804
$194.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChesapeake, VARadford, VA
Median Salary$525,566$403,804
Hourly Rate$252.68$194.14
Entry Level (P10)$304,829$234,206
25th Percentile$378,407$290,739
75th Percentile$672,725$483,273
Top Earner (P90)$802,946$525,629
Total Employed636
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chesapeake ($525,566) and Radford ($403,804) anesthesiologist salaries.ChesapeakeRadfordMedian Salary$525,566$403,804Entry Level (P10)$304,829$234,206Top Earner (P90)$802,946$525,629US Median $409,107

Verdict

Chesapeake, VA offers better overall compensation for anesthesiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Radford.

The salary gap between Chesapeake and Radford is $121,762 (30.15%). Chesapeake's median is +28.47% compared to the US national median of $409,107.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chesapeake spans $498,117,Radford spans $291,423. Chesapeake has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chesapeake
P10 (Entry)$304,829
P25$378,407
Median$525,566
P75$672,725
P90 (Top)$802,946
Radford
P10 (Entry)$234,206
P25$290,739
Median$403,804
P75$483,273
P90 (Top)$525,629

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chesapeake ($509,269 effective) pays 30.15% more than Radford ($391,283 effective).

Chesapeake
Nominal: $525,566
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $509,269
Radford
Nominal: $403,804
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $391,283

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chesapeake if…

  • Higher median salary ($525,566/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($802,946)
  • Larger job market (63 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $509,269)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Radford if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, anesthesiologist salaries in Chesapeake grew 24.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 3.0% growth in Radford over the same period.

Chesapeake, VA

+24.0%

$405,492 (2024) → $502,934 (2025)

Radford, VA

+3.0%

$375,074 (2024) → $386,415 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays anesthesiologists more: Chesapeake or Radford?

Chesapeake has a higher median anesthesiologist salary at $525,566/year, compared to Radford at $403,804/year — a difference of $121,762 (30.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chesapeake and Radford?

Chesapeake anesthesiologists earn $252.68/hr while Radford hygienists earn $194.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chesapeake to Radford as a anesthesiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chesapeake and Radford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chesapeake = $509,269, Radford = $391,283), job availability (63 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level anesthesiologists earn in Chesapeake vs Radford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) anesthesiologists earn $304,829 in Chesapeake and $234,206 in Radford. The Chesapeake area offers higher starting salaries.
MC

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