Anesthesiologist Pay

Houston vs San Antonio: Anesthesiologist Salary (2026)

Compare anesthesiologist salaries between Houston, TX and San Antonio, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$219,690
$105.62/hr
San Antonio, TX
$350,389
$168.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$219,690$350,389
Hourly Rate$105.62$168.45
Entry Level (P10)$87,696$70,903
25th Percentile$219,690$240,308
75th Percentile$221,070$350,389
Top Earner (P90)$510,660$350,389
Total Employed1,160160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($219,690) and San Antonio ($350,389) anesthesiologist salaries.HoustonSan AntonioMedian Salary$219,690$350,389Entry Level (P10)$87,696$70,903Top Earner (P90)$510,660$350,389US Median $409,107

Verdict

Houston and San Antonio are closely matched on overall anesthesiologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Houston and San Antonio is $130,699 (59.49%). San Antonio's median is -14.35% compared to the US national median of $409,107.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $422,964,San Antonio spans $279,486. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$87,696
P25$219,690
Median$219,690
P75$221,070
P90 (Top)$510,660
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$70,903
P25$240,308
Median$350,389
P75$350,389
P90 (Top)$350,389

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Antonio ($369,936 effective) pays 66.08% more than Houston ($222,744 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $219,690
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $222,744
San Antonio
Nominal: $350,389
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $369,936

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($510,660)
  • Larger job market (1,160 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($350,389/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $369,936)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, anesthesiologist salaries in Houston grew 10.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 124.3% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Houston, TX

+10.5%

$190,180 (2021) → $210,230 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+124.3%

$149,520 (2021) → $335,300 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays anesthesiologists more: Houston or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a higher median anesthesiologist salary at $350,389/year, compared to Houston at $219,690/year — a difference of $130,699 (59.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and San Antonio?

Houston anesthesiologists earn $105.62/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $168.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to San Antonio as a anesthesiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $222,744, San Antonio = $369,936), job availability (1,160 vs 160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level anesthesiologists earn in Houston vs San Antonio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) anesthesiologists earn $87,696 in Houston and $70,903 in San Antonio. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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