Anesthesiologist Salary in San Francisco, CA: $106,308 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in San Francisco, CA earns a median $106,308/year (≈ $51.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $91,952 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 77.0% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The anesthesiologist salary in San Francisco is projected to have a median of $106,308 in 2026, illustrating a significant disparity when compared to the national average for the profession, which stands at $409,107. This figure represents the entry-level compensation but can vary dramatically based on experience, case volume, and the specifics of call burdens experienced by practitioners. With salaries ranging from $106,308 at the 10th percentile to $574,248 at the 90th percentile, the potential for income growth in this field is notable in San Francisco. These insights derive from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, offering a clear overview of compensation trends within this vibrant city's medical landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,308 | $51.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,308 | $51.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,308 | $51.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $397,528 | $191.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $574,248 | $276.08 |
Median Salary Position
74.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $467,940 (2026 est.). At $106,308, the local median is 74.01% below the national median of $409,107.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be in the entry-level range
How San Francisco Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $106,308/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $462,208 | -77.00% less |
| National Average | $409,107 | -74.01% less |
Anesthesiologists in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $106,308 per year (2026 est.), which is 74.01% lower than the national median of $409,107 and 77.00% below the California state average of $462,208.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $106,308 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,952 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,118
2025 BLS Actual
$101,730
2026 Current Est.
$106,308
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,118 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,633 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,307 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,146 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,157 | Actual |
| 2024 | $553,294 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,308 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,092 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $78,118 (2019) to $101,730 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,092 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,974 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $106,308 – $106,308 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,308 – $106,308 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,308 – $397,528 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $397,528 – $574,248 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in San Francisco
As the demand for anesthesiologists in San Francisco continues to rise, the cost of living—evidenced by a cost-of-living index of 115.613—places considerable pressure on take-home earnings. For anesthesiologists, the most lucrative opportunities often arise within hospital systems and private anesthesia group practices where partnership pathways provide additional financial incentives. Factors such as call burden differences, particularly between Q3 and Q5 rotations, as well as fellowship subspecialties and performance bonuses, significantly influence salary variation. For those looking to maximize anesthesiologist pay in San Francisco, strategically negotiating employment terms and considering positions at advanced surgical centers or academic institutions may yield the best returns, particularly in a market shaped by the evolving dynamics of hospital employment versus private practice models.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do anesthesiologists make in San Francisco, CA in 2026?
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Can anesthesiologists make $100K in San Francisco?
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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 $101,730 for anesthesiologistsin the San Francisco 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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