Anesthesiologist Pay

San Diego vs Woodland: Anesthesiologist Salary (2026)

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

San Diego, CA
$490,262
$235.70/hr
Woodland, CA
$468,645
$225.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Diego, CAWoodland, CA
Median Salary$490,262$468,645
Hourly Rate$235.70$225.31
Entry Level (P10)$284,352$271,814
25th Percentile$352,988$337,424
75th Percentile$627,535$592,265
Top Earner (P90)$725,535$670,116
Total Employed30715
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Diego ($490,262) and Woodland ($468,645) anesthesiologist salaries.San DiegoWoodlandMedian Salary$490,262$468,645Entry Level (P10)$284,352$271,814Top Earner (P90)$725,535$670,116US Median $409,107

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Diego and Woodland is $21,617 (4.61%). 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 San Diego spans $441,183,Woodland spans $398,302. San Diego has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Diego
P10 (Entry)$284,352
P25$352,988
Median$490,262
P75$627,535
P90 (Top)$725,535
Woodland
P10 (Entry)$271,814
P25$337,424
Median$468,645
P75$592,265
P90 (Top)$670,116

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Diego ($433,477 effective) pays 4.61% more than Woodland ($414,363 effective).

San Diego
Nominal: $490,262
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $433,477
Woodland
Nominal: $468,645
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $414,363

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Woodland if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

San Diego, CA

+-13.0%

$539,266 (2024) → $469,150 (2025)

Woodland, CA

+-13.0%

$515,490 (2024) → $448,464 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays anesthesiologists more: San Diego or Woodland?

San Diego has a higher median anesthesiologist salary at $490,262/year, compared to Woodland at $468,645/year — a difference of $21,617 (4.61%).

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

San Diego anesthesiologists earn $235.70/hr while Woodland hygienists earn $225.31/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Diego and Woodland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Diego = $433,477, Woodland = $414,363), job availability (307 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) anesthesiologists earn $284,352 in San Diego and $271,814 in Woodland. 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