Anesthesiologist Salary in San Diego, CA: $490,262 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in San Diego, CA earns a median $490,262/year (≈ $235.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $433,477 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the anesthesiologist salary in San Diego is projected to reach a median of $490,262, placing it significantly above the national median of $409,107. This competitive figure reflects the local cost of living and the intricate dynamics of pay structures in the area, spanning a salary range from $284,352 at the lower end to $725,535 at the higher end. The variations stem from multiple factors, including call-burden gradients and the differences in case volume. Anesthesiologists in San Diego face diverse opportunities, with factors like subspecialty training and the type of employment arrangement—hospital employment versus private practice—further influencing income potential. Here, the interplay between workload and compensation creates a unique salary gradient that shapes the local job market.
About the San Diego Market
Salary estimated from California average ($450,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $284,352 | $136.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $352,988 | $169.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $490,262 | $235.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $627,535 | $301.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $725,535 | $348.81 |
Median Salary Position
19.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $441,183 (2026 est.). At $490,262, the local median is 19.84% above the national median of $409,107.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Diego Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
San Diego median: $490,262/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $462,511 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $409,107 | +19.84% more |
Anesthesiologists in San Diego, CA earn a median of $490,262 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.84% higher than the national median of $409,107 and 6.00% above the California state average of $462,511.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $490,262 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $433,477 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$360,258
2025 BLS Actual
$469,150
2026 Current Est.
$490,262
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $360,258 | Actual |
| 2020 | $376,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $393,411 | Actual |
| 2022 | $411,115 | Actual |
| 2023 | $429,615 | Actual |
| 2024 | $539,266 | Actual |
| 2025 | $469,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $490,262 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $512,324 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $360,258 (2019) to $469,150 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $512,324 by 2027 — a total increase of $152,066 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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) | $284,352 – $352,988 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $352,988 – $490,262 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $490,262 – $627,535 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $627,535 – $725,535 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in San Diego
With 307 anesthesiologists employed in San Diego, the job market remains robust, though the local cost-of-living index of 113.1 indicates that take-home pay will stretch less compared to more affordable regions. The highest-paying employers tend to be large hospital systems and academic medical centers, which offer competitive salaries often accompanied by benefits tied to performance-based RVUs. The stark difference in anesthesiologist pay in San Diego, CA, can also be attributed to the type of practice—partnership models typically feature equity opportunities and potentially lucrative distributions based on case loads. To optimize earnings in this market, anesthesiologists should consider the intricacies of their employment structure, seek out positions that offer substantial call pay, or explore specialty fellowships that enhance marketability. Understanding the prevailing reimbursement environments and aligning with institutions that value and reward high case volumes can also significantly affect overall compensation.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can anesthesiologists make $100K in San Diego?
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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 $469,150 for anesthesiologistsin the San Diego 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 San Diego 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