Anesthesiologist Pay

Spokane vs Tacoma: Anesthesiologist Salary (2026)

Compare anesthesiologist salaries between Spokane, WA and Tacoma, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Spokane, WA
$445,520
$214.19/hr
Tacoma, WA
$664,765
$319.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpokane, WATacoma, WA
Median Salary$445,520$664,765
Hourly Rate$214.19$319.60
Entry Level (P10)$258,401$385,564
25th Percentile$320,774$478,631
75th Percentile$570,266$850,900
Top Earner (P90)$680,729$1,011,925
Total Employed5656
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Spokane ($445,520) and Tacoma ($664,765) anesthesiologist salaries.SpokaneTacomaMedian Salary$445,520$664,765Entry Level (P10)$258,401$385,564Top Earner (P90)$680,729$1,011,925US Median $409,107

Verdict

Tacoma, WA offers better overall compensation for anesthesiologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spokane.

The salary gap between Spokane and Tacoma is $219,245 (49.21%). Tacoma's median is +62.49% compared to the US national median of $409,107.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Spokane spans $422,328,Tacoma spans $626,361. Tacoma has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced anesthesiologists.

Spokane
P10 (Entry)$258,401
P25$320,774
Median$445,520
P75$570,266
P90 (Top)$680,729
Tacoma
P10 (Entry)$385,564
P25$478,631
Median$664,765
P75$850,900
P90 (Top)$1,011,925

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tacoma ($618,962 effective) pays 49.21% more than Spokane ($414,823 effective).

Spokane
Nominal: $445,520
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $414,823
Tacoma
Nominal: $664,765
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $618,962

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Spokane if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Tacoma if…

  • Higher median salary ($664,765/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($1,011,925)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $618,962)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, anesthesiologist salaries in Spokane grew -4.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 42.6% growth in Tacoma over the same period.

Spokane, WA

+-4.5%

$446,493 (2024) → $426,335 (2025)

Tacoma, WA

+42.6%

$445,985 (2024) → $636,139 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays anesthesiologists more: Spokane or Tacoma?

Tacoma has a higher median anesthesiologist salary at $664,765/year, compared to Spokane at $445,520/year — a difference of $219,245 (49.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Spokane and Tacoma?

Spokane anesthesiologists earn $214.19/hr while Tacoma hygienists earn $319.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Spokane to Tacoma as a anesthesiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Spokane and Tacoma. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Spokane = $414,823, Tacoma = $618,962), job availability (56 vs 56 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level anesthesiologists earn in Spokane vs Tacoma?

Entry-level (10th percentile) anesthesiologists earn $258,401 in Spokane and $385,564 in Tacoma. The Tacoma 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