Anesthesiologist Salary in San Rafael, CA: $469,452 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in San Rafael, CA earns a median $469,452/year (≈ $225.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in San Rafael's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $415,077 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, anesthesiologists in San Rafael, California, can expect a median annual salary of $469,452, which is approximately 14.75% higher than the national median of $409,107. The local salary range is notably wide; entry-level anesthesiologists can earn around $272,282, while those at the top of the scale may make up to $655,496. This disparity is driven by factors like call burden and case volume, particularly distinguishing between lower call frequency with higher pay opportunities. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and take local cost-of-living adjustments into account, reflecting the unique economic landscape of the San Rafael area.
About the San Rafael Market
Salary estimated from California average ($450,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $272,282 | $130.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $338,005 | $162.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $469,452 | $225.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $583,821 | $280.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $655,496 | $315.14 |
Median Salary Position
14.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Rafael
In San Rafael, CA, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $383,214 (2026 est.). At $469,452, the local median is 14.75% above the national median of $409,107.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Rafael: You'd be above the median
How San Rafael Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
San Rafael median: $469,452/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Rafael Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $462,514 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $409,107 | +14.75% more |
Anesthesiologists in San Rafael, CA earn a median of $469,452 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.75% higher than the national median of $409,107 and 1.50% above the California state average of $462,514.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Rafael has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Rafael, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $469,452 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $415,077 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$344,966
2025 BLS Actual
$449,236
2026 Current Est.
$469,452
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in San Rafael (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $344,966 | Actual |
| 2020 | $360,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $376,712 | Actual |
| 2022 | $393,664 | Actual |
| 2023 | $411,379 | Actual |
| 2024 | $516,376 | Actual |
| 2025 | $449,236 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $469,452 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $490,577 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Rafael metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $344,966 (2019) to $449,236 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $490,577 by 2027 — a total increase of $145,611 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Rafael 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) | $272,282 – $338,005 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $338,005 – $469,452 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $469,452 – $583,821 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $583,821 – $655,496 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in San Rafael
The job market for anesthesiologists in San Rafael remains competitive, with only 11 professionals currently employed, highlighting a selective hiring environment. The local cost-of-living index is 113.1, suggesting that take-home purchasing power is an essential consideration for prospective anesthesiologists. Employers such as academic medical centers and private anesthesia groups offer the highest compensation, often tied to factors like partnership opportunities and management of case load diversity. The range in anesthesiologist pay in San Rafael CA is influenced by various elements including hospital-employed RVUs, call rotation models, and the potential for bonuses under different compensation structures. Maximizing pay in this market often involves targeting private equity-backed groups for partnership tracks, as well as pursuing subspecialization to enhance marketability and compensation potential.
More salary data for San Rafael, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do anesthesiologists make in San Rafael, CA in 2026?
Is San Rafael, CA a good place to work as a anesthesiologist?
Can anesthesiologists make $100K in San Rafael?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted anesthesiologist salary in San Rafael?
How much does a anesthesiologist make per hour in San Rafael?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $449,236 for anesthesiologistsin the San Rafael 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 Rafael 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