Anesthesiologist Pay

Buffalo vs Schenectady: Anesthesiologist Salary (2026)

Compare anesthesiologist salaries between Buffalo, NY and Schenectady, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Buffalo, NY
$535,688
$257.54/hr
Schenectady, NY
$482,240
$231.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBuffalo, NYSchenectady, NY
Median Salary$535,688$482,240
Hourly Rate$257.54$231.84
Entry Level (P10)$174,400$279,699
25th Percentile$413,956$347,213
75th Percentile$578,313$612,086
Top Earner (P90)$578,313$678,213
Total EmployedN/A16
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Buffalo ($535,688) and Schenectady ($482,240) anesthesiologist salaries.BuffaloSchenectadyMedian Salary$535,688$482,240Entry Level (P10)$174,400$279,699Top Earner (P90)$578,313$678,213US Median $409,107

Verdict

Buffalo and Schenectady are closely matched on overall anesthesiologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Buffalo and Schenectady is $53,448 (11.08%). Buffalo's median is +30.94% compared to the US national median of $409,107.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Buffalo spans $403,913,Schenectady spans $398,514. Buffalo has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Buffalo
P10 (Entry)$174,400
P25$413,956
Median$535,688
P75$578,313
P90 (Top)$578,313
Schenectady
P10 (Entry)$279,699
P25$347,213
Median$482,240
P75$612,086
P90 (Top)$678,213

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Buffalo ($558,917 effective) pays 34.33% more than Schenectady ($416,083 effective).

Buffalo
Nominal: $535,688
CoL Index: 95.844
Adjusted: $558,917
Schenectady
Nominal: $482,240
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $416,083

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Buffalo if…

  • Higher median salary ($535,688/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $558,917)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Schenectady if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($678,213)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, anesthesiologist salaries in Buffalo grew 9.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.8% growth in Schenectady over the same period.

Buffalo, NY

+9.5%

$468,168 (2024) → $512,620 (2025)

Schenectady, NY

+2.8%

$448,995 (2024) → $461,474 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays anesthesiologists more: Buffalo or Schenectady?

Buffalo has a higher median anesthesiologist salary at $535,688/year, compared to Schenectady at $482,240/year — a difference of $53,448 (11.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Buffalo and Schenectady?

Buffalo anesthesiologists earn $257.54/hr while Schenectady hygienists earn $231.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Buffalo to Schenectady as a anesthesiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Buffalo and Schenectady. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Buffalo = $558,917, Schenectady = $416,083), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level anesthesiologists earn in Buffalo vs Schenectady?

Entry-level (10th percentile) anesthesiologists earn $174,400 in Buffalo and $279,699 in Schenectady. The Schenectady area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Raj Patel, MDData verified by Dr. Amina Khan, MD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Dr. Maria Chen, MD, a licensed anesthesiologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov