Anesthesiologist Hourly Pay in Chapel Hill, NC: $202.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a anesthesiologist working in Chapel Hill, NC runs $202.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $420,409 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Weighted against Chapel Hill's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $215.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $252,251 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, anesthesiologists earn a projected hourly rate of $202.12, which surpasses the national average of $196.69. This competitive pay structure offers significant advantages for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, commonly found in operating rooms, pain procedure rooms, and ambulatory surgery centers. For instance, a part-time anesthesiologist working three days per week can achieve substantial earnings while maintaining a flexible schedule. Hourly rates in Chapel Hill range from $117.23 at the entry level to $296.41 for the highest earners, reflecting the varying levels of experience and job responsibilities typical in this field. These rates are estimated based on annual salary data, providing a solid framework for understanding compensation dynamics in these medical settings.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($370,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Anesthesiologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $117.23 | $937.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $145.53 | $1164.21 |
| Median (P50) | $202.12 | $1616.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $251.71 | $2013.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $296.41 | $2371.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chapel Hill
Based on $202.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $202.12/hr, a anesthesiologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chapel Hill, NC can expect to earn approximately $420,418 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $242,549. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chapel Hill.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chapel Hill
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $8,084.96 | $35,035 | $420,418 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $4,850.97 | $21,021 | $252,251 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $3,233.98 | $14,014 | $168,167 |
Compare ANES Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist (Chapel Hill) | $202.12 |
| Surgeon, All Other (National Avg) | $168.27 |
| Radiologist (National Avg) | $168.27 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (National Avg) | $106.73 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
Anesthesiologists in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $420,409 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.76% higher than the national median of $409,107 and 0.20% below the North Carolina state average of $421,251.
Anesthesiologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $202.12/hr = $252,251/year (purchasing power: $269,499).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $420,418/year (purchasing power: $449,164).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$148.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$193.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$202.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $148.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $155.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $162.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $169.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $177.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $166.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $193.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $202.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $211.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for anesthesiologists in Chapel Hill grew 30.2% from $148.53/hr (2019) to $193.42/hr (2025). At a 4.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $211.22/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem anesthesiologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Anesthesiologist in Chapel Hill
Looking at the economic implications for those in the field, a part-time anesthesiologist working just 24 hours per week could see a significant annual income, showcasing the lucrative opportunities available in Chapel Hill. For per diem positions, anesthesiologists can often command between $1,800 and $3,000 per day, especially for specialized assignments such as cardiac or pediatric anesthesia, with many agencies covering additional costs like lodging and malpractice insurance. Hourly earnings can significantly vary depending on the employer type—whether it's a hospital system, a private anesthesia group, or a locum tenens agency. While some positions may offer lower hourly rates, benefits such as health insurance can make them attractive compared to higher-paying opportunities that lack such coverage. For anesthesiologists in this market, it’s critical to gauge personal priorities against potential income, and negotiating contracts carefully can help maximize wages while ensuring a favorable work-life balance in Chapel Hill’s vibrant healthcare environment.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for anesthesiologists in Chapel Hill. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chapel Hill is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for anesthesiologists (SOC 29-1211).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Maria Chen, MD, a licensed anesthesiologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov