Anesthesiologist Salary in Irvine, CA: $480,646 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in Irvine, CA earns a median $480,646/year (≈ $231.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in Irvine's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $424,974 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, anesthesiologists in Irvine, California can expect a median annual salary of $480,646, which is significantly higher than the national median of $409,107. The salary range for this specialty varies widely, with the lowest decile earning approximately $278,775 and the highest decile reaching $720,913. These figures reflect estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parity. Various factors contribute to this spread in compensation, chiefly the call-burden gradient, which differentiates compensation based on the frequency and demands of on-call duties. In Irvine's competitive job market, anesthesiologists may negotiate pay based on their specific role—particularly whether they are in Q3 or Q5 call rotations or even have a no-call arrangement.
About the Irvine Market
Salary estimated from California average ($450,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $278,775 | $134.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $346,065 | $166.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $480,646 | $231.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $615,226 | $295.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $720,913 | $346.60 |
Median Salary Position
17.49% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Irvine
In Irvine, CA, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $442,138 (2026 est.). At $480,646, the local median is 17.49% above the national median of $409,107.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Irvine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Irvine Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
Irvine median: $480,646/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Irvine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $462,604 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $409,107 | +17.49% more |
Anesthesiologists in Irvine, CA earn a median of $480,646 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.49% higher than the national median of $409,107 and 3.90% above the California state average of $462,604.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Irvine has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Irvine, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $480,646 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $424,974 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$353,192
2025 BLS Actual
$459,948
2026 Current Est.
$480,646
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Irvine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $353,192 | Actual |
| 2020 | $369,086 | Actual |
| 2021 | $385,695 | Actual |
| 2022 | $403,051 | Actual |
| 2023 | $421,188 | Actual |
| 2024 | $528,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $459,948 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $480,646 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $502,275 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Irvine metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $353,192 (2019) to $459,948 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $502,275 by 2027 — a total increase of $149,083 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Irvine 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) | $278,775 – $346,065 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $346,065 – $480,646 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $480,646 – $615,226 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $615,226 – $720,913 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in Irvine
Within the vibrant medical community of Irvine, there are currently 72 practicing anesthesiologists, indicating a solid demand for their skills. However, the high cost of living in the area, with a cost-of-living index of 113.1, constrains take-home purchasing power, necessitating higher salaries to maintain quality of life. Notably, compensation structures vary among employers—hospital systems typically offer W-2 employment with more predictable salaries, whereas private anesthesia groups might provide lucrative partnership tracks but come with volatility and higher risk. Factors influencing earnings in this market include case volume, additional subspecialties, and RVU bonuses linked to hospital employment. Anesthesiologists looking to optimize their compensation in Irvine should consider enhancing their qualifications through subspecialty fellowships, focusing on high-volume procedures, and actively negotiating their call responsibilities within their employment structure.
More salary data for Irvine, 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 $459,948 for anesthesiologistsin the Irvine 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 Irvine 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