Anesthesiologist Pay

Oklahoma City vs Tahlequah: Anesthesiologist Salary (2026)

Compare anesthesiologist salaries between Oklahoma City, OK and Tahlequah, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Oklahoma City, OK
$428,818
$206.16/hr
Tahlequah, OK
$377,190
$181.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOklahoma City, OKTahlequah, OK
Median Salary$428,818$377,190
Hourly Rate$206.16$181.34
Entry Level (P10)$248,714$218,770
25th Percentile$308,748$271,577
75th Percentile$538,737$461,076
Top Earner (P90)$662,268$493,652
Total Employed1354
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oklahoma City ($428,818) and Tahlequah ($377,190) anesthesiologist salaries.Oklahoma CityTahlequahMedian Salary$428,818$377,190Entry Level (P10)$248,714$218,770Top Earner (P90)$662,268$493,652US Median $409,107

Verdict

Oklahoma City, OK offers better overall compensation for anesthesiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Tahlequah.

The salary gap between Oklahoma City and Tahlequah is $51,628 (13.69%). Oklahoma City's median is +4.82% compared to the US national median of $409,107.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Oklahoma City spans $413,554,Tahlequah spans $274,882. Oklahoma City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Oklahoma City
P10 (Entry)$248,714
P25$308,748
Median$428,818
P75$538,737
P90 (Top)$662,268
Tahlequah
P10 (Entry)$218,770
P25$271,577
Median$377,190
P75$461,076
P90 (Top)$493,652

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Oklahoma City ($482,360 effective) pays 13.69% more than Tahlequah ($424,286 effective).

Oklahoma City
Nominal: $428,818
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $482,360
Tahlequah
Nominal: $377,190
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $424,286

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Oklahoma City if…

  • Higher median salary ($428,818/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($662,268)
  • Larger job market (135 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $482,360)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tahlequah if…

  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, anesthesiologist salaries in Oklahoma City grew 22.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.6% growth in Tahlequah over the same period.

Oklahoma City, OK

+22.6%

$334,726 (2024) → $410,352 (2025)

Tahlequah, OK

+22.6%

$294,426 (2024) → $360,947 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays anesthesiologists more: Oklahoma City or Tahlequah?

Oklahoma City has a higher median anesthesiologist salary at $428,818/year, compared to Tahlequah at $377,190/year — a difference of $51,628 (13.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Oklahoma City and Tahlequah?

Oklahoma City anesthesiologists earn $206.16/hr while Tahlequah hygienists earn $181.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Oklahoma City to Tahlequah as a anesthesiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oklahoma City and Tahlequah. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oklahoma City = $482,360, Tahlequah = $424,286), job availability (135 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level anesthesiologists earn in Oklahoma City vs Tahlequah?

Entry-level (10th percentile) anesthesiologists earn $248,714 in Oklahoma City and $218,770 in Tahlequah. The Oklahoma City 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