Anesthesiologist Salary in Fullerton, CA: $475,309 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in Fullerton, CA earns a median $475,309/year (≈ $228.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in Fullerton's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $420,256 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Anesthesiologists in Fullerton, California, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $475,309 in 2026, which surpasses the national median of $409,107 by 16.18%. The salary range for anesthesiologists in this city is significant, spanning from $275,679 at the 10th percentile to $688,661 at the 90th percentile. These figures, which reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and are adjusted for the regional cost of living, indicate that Fullerton offers a competitive compensation package. Notably, the local market rewards subspecialties such as pain medicine and critical care, which can significantly enhance earning potential through higher case volumes and RVU bonuses, making Fullerton an attractive option for anesthesiologists looking to maximize their earning capacity.
About the Fullerton Market
Salary estimated from California average ($450,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $275,679 | $132.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $342,223 | $164.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $475,309 | $228.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $602,839 | $289.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $688,661 | $331.09 |
Median Salary Position
16.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fullerton
In Fullerton, CA, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $412,982 (2026 est.). At $475,309, the local median is 16.18% above the national median of $409,107.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fullerton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fullerton Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
Fullerton median: $475,309/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fullerton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $462,813 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $409,107 | +16.18% more |
Anesthesiologists in Fullerton, CA earn a median of $475,309 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.18% higher than the national median of $409,107 and 2.70% above the California state average of $462,813.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fullerton has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fullerton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $475,309 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $420,256 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$349,270
2025 BLS Actual
$454,841
2026 Current Est.
$475,309
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Fullerton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $349,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $364,988 | Actual |
| 2021 | $381,412 | Actual |
| 2022 | $398,576 | Actual |
| 2023 | $416,512 | Actual |
| 2024 | $522,819 | Actual |
| 2025 | $454,841 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $475,309 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $496,698 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fullerton metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $349,270 (2019) to $454,841 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $496,698 by 2027 — a total increase of $147,428 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fullerton 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $275,679 – $342,223 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $342,223 – $475,309 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $475,309 – $602,839 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $602,839 – $688,661 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in Fullerton
The job market for anesthesiologists in Fullerton is currently supported by 25 employed professionals. However, the cost of living index of 113.1 suggests that while salaries are higher than the national average, the local economic factors can impact overall take-home pay. Major employers in the area typically include hospital systems that offer W-2 employment, private anesthesia group practices with partnership tracks, and academic medical centers. Anesthesiologists may find significant pay variance based on factors such as case volume, call burdens, and the potential for subspecialty fellowship bonuses. In a competitive environment, strategies for maximizing compensation include pursuing fellowship training in in-demand specialties, seeking roles with hospitals that provide strong RVU-based incentives, and considering the balance between W-2 positions and independent contractor opportunities to better align with desired income levels. The interplay between these factors shapes not only anesthesiologist pay in Fullerton, CA, but also affects job satisfaction and career trajectory in this dynamic field.
More salary data for Fullerton, CA:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $454,841 for anesthesiologistsin the Fullerton metropolitan area. A 4.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fullerton 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