Anesthesiologist Pay

Mesa vs Scottsdale: Anesthesiologist Salary (2026)

Compare anesthesiologist salaries between Mesa, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Mesa, AZ
$529,559
$254.59/hr
Scottsdale, AZ
$519,253
$249.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMesa, AZScottsdale, AZ
Median Salary$529,559$519,253
Hourly Rate$254.59$249.64
Entry Level (P10)$307,144$301,167
25th Percentile$381,283$373,862
75th Percentile$668,011$664,644
Top Earner (P90)$764,029$761,199
Total Employed9844
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mesa ($529,559) and Scottsdale ($519,253) anesthesiologist salaries.MesaScottsdaleMedian Salary$529,559$519,253Entry Level (P10)$307,144$301,167Top Earner (P90)$764,029$761,199US Median $409,107

Verdict

Mesa, AZ offers better overall compensation for anesthesiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Scottsdale.

The salary gap between Mesa and Scottsdale is $10,306 (1.98%). Mesa's median is +29.44% compared to the US national median of $409,107.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mesa spans $456,885,Scottsdale spans $460,032. Scottsdale has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced anesthesiologists.

Mesa
P10 (Entry)$307,144
P25$381,283
Median$529,559
P75$668,011
P90 (Top)$764,029
Scottsdale
P10 (Entry)$301,167
P25$373,862
Median$519,253
P75$664,644
P90 (Top)$761,199

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mesa ($537,623 effective) pays 1.98% more than Scottsdale ($527,160 effective).

Mesa
Nominal: $529,559
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $537,623
Scottsdale
Nominal: $519,253
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $527,160

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mesa if…

  • Higher median salary ($529,559/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($764,029)
  • Larger job market (98 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $537,623)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Scottsdale if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, anesthesiologist salaries in Mesa grew 29.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.4% growth in Scottsdale over the same period.

Mesa, AZ

+29.4%

$391,701 (2024) → $506,755 (2025)

Scottsdale, AZ

+29.4%

$384,077 (2024) → $496,893 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays anesthesiologists more: Mesa or Scottsdale?

Mesa has a higher median anesthesiologist salary at $529,559/year, compared to Scottsdale at $519,253/year — a difference of $10,306 (1.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mesa and Scottsdale?

Mesa anesthesiologists earn $254.59/hr while Scottsdale hygienists earn $249.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Mesa to Scottsdale as a anesthesiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mesa and Scottsdale. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mesa = $537,623, Scottsdale = $527,160), job availability (98 vs 44 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level anesthesiologists earn in Mesa vs Scottsdale?

Entry-level (10th percentile) anesthesiologists earn $307,144 in Mesa and $301,167 in Scottsdale. The Mesa 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