Anesthesiologist Pay

Philadelphia vs Harrisburg: Anesthesiologist Salary (2026)

Compare anesthesiologist salaries between Philadelphia, PA and Harrisburg, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Philadelphia, PA
$513,413
$246.83/hr
Harrisburg, PA
$456,225
$219.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPhiladelphia, PAHarrisburg, PA
Median Salary$513,413$456,225
Hourly Rate$246.83$219.34
Entry Level (P10)$297,779$264,611
25th Percentile$369,657$328,482
75th Percentile$657,168$567,635
Top Earner (P90)$788,518$639,217
Total Employed37910
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Philadelphia ($513,413) and Harrisburg ($456,225) anesthesiologist salaries.PhiladelphiaHarrisburgMedian Salary$513,413$456,225Entry Level (P10)$297,779$264,611Top Earner (P90)$788,518$639,217US Median $409,107

Verdict

Philadelphia, PA offers better overall compensation for anesthesiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Harrisburg.

The salary gap between Philadelphia and Harrisburg is $57,188 (12.54%). Philadelphia's median is +25.50% compared to the US national median of $409,107.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Philadelphia spans $490,739,Harrisburg spans $374,606. Philadelphia has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Philadelphia
P10 (Entry)$297,779
P25$369,657
Median$513,413
P75$657,168
P90 (Top)$788,518
Harrisburg
P10 (Entry)$264,611
P25$328,482
Median$456,225
P75$567,635
P90 (Top)$639,217

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Philadelphia ($527,118 effective) pays 12.54% more than Harrisburg ($468,403 effective).

Philadelphia
Nominal: $513,413
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $527,118
Harrisburg
Nominal: $456,225
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $468,403

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Philadelphia if…

  • Higher median salary ($513,413/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($788,518)
  • Larger job market (379 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $527,118)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Harrisburg if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, anesthesiologist salaries in Philadelphia grew 20.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.5% growth in Harrisburg over the same period.

Philadelphia, PA

+20.5%

$407,597 (2024) → $491,304 (2025)

Harrisburg, PA

+20.5%

$362,197 (2024) → $436,579 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays anesthesiologists more: Philadelphia or Harrisburg?

Philadelphia has a higher median anesthesiologist salary at $513,413/year, compared to Harrisburg at $456,225/year — a difference of $57,188 (12.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Philadelphia and Harrisburg?

Philadelphia anesthesiologists earn $246.83/hr while Harrisburg hygienists earn $219.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Philadelphia to Harrisburg as a anesthesiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Philadelphia and Harrisburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Philadelphia = $527,118, Harrisburg = $468,403), job availability (379 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level anesthesiologists earn in Philadelphia vs Harrisburg?

Entry-level (10th percentile) anesthesiologists earn $297,779 in Philadelphia and $264,611 in Harrisburg. The Philadelphia 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