Anesthesiologist Pay

Oceanside vs San Diego: Anesthesiologist Salary (2026)

Compare anesthesiologist salaries between Oceanside, CA and San Diego, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Oceanside, CA
$469,626
$225.78/hr
San Diego, CA
$490,262
$235.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOceanside, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$469,626$490,262
Hourly Rate$225.78$235.70
Entry Level (P10)$272,383$284,352
25th Percentile$338,131$352,988
75th Percentile$588,893$627,535
Top Earner (P90)$667,245$725,535
Total Employed28307
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oceanside ($469,626) and San Diego ($490,262) anesthesiologist salaries.OceansideSan DiegoMedian Salary$469,626$490,262Entry Level (P10)$272,383$284,352Top Earner (P90)$667,245$725,535US Median $409,107

Verdict

San Diego, CA offers better overall compensation for anesthesiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Oceanside.

The salary gap between Oceanside and San Diego is $20,636 (4.39%). San Diego's median is +19.84% compared to the US national median of $409,107.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Oceanside spans $394,862,San Diego spans $441,183. San Diego has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced anesthesiologists.

Oceanside
P10 (Entry)$272,383
P25$338,131
Median$469,626
P75$588,893
P90 (Top)$667,245
San Diego
P10 (Entry)$284,352
P25$352,988
Median$490,262
P75$627,535
P90 (Top)$725,535

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Diego ($433,477 effective) pays 4.39% more than Oceanside ($415,231 effective).

Oceanside
Nominal: $469,626
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $415,231
San Diego
Nominal: $490,262
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $433,477

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Oceanside if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Diego if…

  • Higher median salary ($490,262/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($725,535)
  • Larger job market (307 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $433,477)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, anesthesiologist salaries in Oceanside grew -13.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -13.0% growth in San Diego over the same period.

Oceanside, CA

+-13.0%

$516,569 (2024) → $449,403 (2025)

San Diego, CA

+-13.0%

$539,266 (2024) → $469,150 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays anesthesiologists more: Oceanside or San Diego?

San Diego has a higher median anesthesiologist salary at $490,262/year, compared to Oceanside at $469,626/year — a difference of $20,636 (4.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Oceanside and San Diego?

Oceanside anesthesiologists earn $225.78/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $235.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Oceanside to San Diego as a anesthesiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oceanside and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oceanside = $415,231, San Diego = $433,477), job availability (28 vs 307 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level anesthesiologists earn in Oceanside vs San Diego?

Entry-level (10th percentile) anesthesiologists earn $272,383 in Oceanside and $284,352 in San Diego. The San Diego 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