Anesthesiologist Pay

Columbia vs Simpsonville: Anesthesiologist Salary (2026)

Compare anesthesiologist salaries between Columbia, SC and Simpsonville, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbia, SC
$303,698
$146.01/hr
Simpsonville, SC
$360,473
$173.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbia, SCSimpsonville, SC
Median Salary$303,698$360,473
Hourly Rate$146.01$173.30
Entry Level (P10)$206,586$209,074
25th Percentile$206,586$259,540
75th Percentile$460,281$442,251
Top Earner (P90)$562,220$485,436
Total Employed705
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbia ($303,698) and Simpsonville ($360,473) anesthesiologist salaries.ColumbiaSimpsonvilleMedian Salary$303,698$360,473Entry Level (P10)$206,586$209,074Top Earner (P90)$562,220$485,436US Median $409,107

Verdict

Columbia and Simpsonville are closely matched on overall anesthesiologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Columbia and Simpsonville is $56,775 (18.69%). Simpsonville's median is -11.89% compared to the US national median of $409,107.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbia spans $355,634,Simpsonville spans $276,362. Columbia has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Columbia
P10 (Entry)$206,586
P25$206,586
Median$303,698
P75$460,281
P90 (Top)$562,220
Simpsonville
P10 (Entry)$209,074
P25$259,540
Median$360,473
P75$442,251
P90 (Top)$485,436

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Simpsonville ($393,960 effective) pays 21.50% more than Columbia ($324,249 effective).

Columbia
Nominal: $303,698
CoL Index: 93.662
Adjusted: $324,249
Simpsonville
Nominal: $360,473
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $393,960

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbia if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($562,220)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Simpsonville if…

  • Higher median salary ($360,473/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $393,960)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, anesthesiologist salaries in Columbia grew -11.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.9% growth in Simpsonville over the same period.

Columbia, SC

+-11.6%

$328,615 (2024) → $290,620 (2025)

Simpsonville, SC

+11.9%

$308,392 (2024) → $344,950 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays anesthesiologists more: Columbia or Simpsonville?

Simpsonville has a higher median anesthesiologist salary at $360,473/year, compared to Columbia at $303,698/year — a difference of $56,775 (18.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbia and Simpsonville?

Columbia anesthesiologists earn $146.01/hr while Simpsonville hygienists earn $173.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbia to Simpsonville as a anesthesiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbia and Simpsonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbia = $324,249, Simpsonville = $393,960), job availability (70 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level anesthesiologists earn in Columbia vs Simpsonville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) anesthesiologists earn $206,586 in Columbia and $209,074 in Simpsonville. The Simpsonville 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