Anesthesiologist Pay

Pittsburgh vs State College: Anesthesiologist Salary (2026)

Compare anesthesiologist salaries between Pittsburgh, PA and State College, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Pittsburgh, PA
$486,177
$233.74/hr
State College, PA
$450,418
$216.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPittsburgh, PAState College, PA
Median Salary$486,177$450,418
Hourly Rate$233.74$216.54
Entry Level (P10)$281,983$261,243
25th Percentile$350,048$324,301
75th Percentile$622,306$565,609
Top Earner (P90)$719,980$634,589
Total Employed589
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Pittsburgh ($486,177) and State College ($450,418) anesthesiologist salaries.PittsburghState CollegeMedian Salary$486,177$450,418Entry Level (P10)$281,983$261,243Top Earner (P90)$719,980$634,589US Median $409,107

Verdict

Pittsburgh, PA offers better overall compensation for anesthesiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to State College.

The salary gap between Pittsburgh and State College is $35,759 (7.94%). Pittsburgh's median is +18.84% compared to the US national median of $409,107.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Pittsburgh spans $437,997,State College spans $373,346. Pittsburgh has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Pittsburgh
P10 (Entry)$281,983
P25$350,048
Median$486,177
P75$622,306
P90 (Top)$719,980
State College
P10 (Entry)$261,243
P25$324,301
Median$450,418
P75$565,609
P90 (Top)$634,589

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pittsburgh ($499,155 effective) pays 7.94% more than State College ($462,441 effective).

Pittsburgh
Nominal: $486,177
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $499,155
State College
Nominal: $450,418
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $462,441

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Pittsburgh if…

  • Higher median salary ($486,177/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($719,980)
  • Larger job market (58 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $499,155)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose State College if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Pittsburgh, PA

+20.5%

$385,975 (2024) → $465,241 (2025)

State College, PA

+20.5%

$357,586 (2024) → $431,022 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays anesthesiologists more: Pittsburgh or State College?

Pittsburgh has a higher median anesthesiologist salary at $486,177/year, compared to State College at $450,418/year — a difference of $35,759 (7.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Pittsburgh and State College?

Pittsburgh anesthesiologists earn $233.74/hr while State College hygienists earn $216.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Pittsburgh to State College as a anesthesiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Pittsburgh and State College. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Pittsburgh = $499,155, State College = $462,441), job availability (58 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level anesthesiologists earn in Pittsburgh vs State College?

Entry-level (10th percentile) anesthesiologists earn $281,983 in Pittsburgh and $261,243 in State College. The Pittsburgh 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