Anesthesiologist Pay

San Jose vs San Mateo: Anesthesiologist Salary (2026)

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

San Jose, CA
$499,935
$240.35/hr
San Mateo, CA
$467,607
$224.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Jose, CASan Mateo, CA
Median Salary$499,935$467,607
Hourly Rate$240.35$224.81
Entry Level (P10)$289,962$271,212
25th Percentile$359,953$336,677
75th Percentile$633,101$584,094
Top Earner (P90)$728,176$690,857
Total Employed16821
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Jose ($499,935) and San Mateo ($467,607) anesthesiologist salaries.San JoseSan MateoMedian Salary$499,935$467,607Entry Level (P10)$289,962$271,212Top Earner (P90)$728,176$690,857US Median $409,107

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Jose and San Mateo is $32,328 (6.91%). San Jose's median is +22.20% compared to the US national median of $409,107.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Jose spans $438,214,San Mateo spans $419,645. San Jose has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Jose
P10 (Entry)$289,962
P25$359,953
Median$499,935
P75$633,101
P90 (Top)$728,176
San Mateo
P10 (Entry)$271,212
P25$336,677
Median$467,607
P75$584,094
P90 (Top)$690,857

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Jose ($442,029 effective) pays 6.91% more than San Mateo ($413,446 effective).

San Jose
Nominal: $499,935
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $442,029
San Mateo
Nominal: $467,607
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $413,446

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Jose if…

  • Higher median salary ($499,935/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($728,176)
  • Larger job market (168 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $442,029)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Mateo if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

San Jose, CA

+-13.0%

$549,908 (2024) → $478,407 (2025)

San Mateo, CA

+-13.0%

$514,348 (2024) → $447,471 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays anesthesiologists more: San Jose or San Mateo?

San Jose has a higher median anesthesiologist salary at $499,935/year, compared to San Mateo at $467,607/year — a difference of $32,328 (6.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Jose and San Mateo?

San Jose anesthesiologists earn $240.35/hr while San Mateo hygienists earn $224.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Jose to San Mateo as a anesthesiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Jose and San Mateo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Jose = $442,029, San Mateo = $413,446), job availability (168 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level anesthesiologists earn in San Jose vs San Mateo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) anesthesiologists earn $289,962 in San Jose and $271,212 in San Mateo. The San Jose 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