Anesthesiologist Pay

Charlotte vs Asheville: Anesthesiologist Salary (2026)

Compare anesthesiologist salaries between Charlotte, NC and Asheville, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlotte, NC
$461,539
$221.90/hr
Asheville, NC
$410,803
$197.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCAsheville, NC
Median Salary$461,539$410,803
Hourly Rate$221.90$197.50
Entry Level (P10)$267,692$238,266
25th Percentile$332,308$295,778
75th Percentile$582,616$515,892
Top Earner (P90)$667,211$583,530
Total Employed14814
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($461,539) and Asheville ($410,803) anesthesiologist salaries.CharlotteAshevilleMedian Salary$461,539$410,803Entry Level (P10)$267,692$238,266Top Earner (P90)$667,211$583,530US Median $409,107

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for anesthesiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Asheville.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Asheville is $50,736 (12.35%). Charlotte's median is +12.82% compared to the US national median of $409,107.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $399,519,Asheville spans $345,264. Charlotte has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$267,692
P25$332,308
Median$461,539
P75$582,616
P90 (Top)$667,211
Asheville
P10 (Entry)$238,266
P25$295,778
Median$410,803
P75$515,892
P90 (Top)$583,530

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($493,097 effective) pays 12.35% more than Asheville ($438,892 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $461,539
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $493,097
Asheville
Nominal: $410,803
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $438,892

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($461,539/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($667,211)
  • Larger job market (148 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $493,097)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Asheville if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, anesthesiologist salaries in Charlotte grew 296.3% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 16.4% growth in Asheville over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+296.3%

$111,440 (2021) → $441,664 (2025)

Asheville, NC

+16.4%

$337,824 (2024) → $393,113 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays anesthesiologists more: Charlotte or Asheville?

Charlotte has a higher median anesthesiologist salary at $461,539/year, compared to Asheville at $410,803/year — a difference of $50,736 (12.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Asheville?

Charlotte anesthesiologists earn $221.90/hr while Asheville hygienists earn $197.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Asheville as a anesthesiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Asheville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $493,097, Asheville = $438,892), job availability (148 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level anesthesiologists earn in Charlotte vs Asheville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) anesthesiologists earn $267,692 in Charlotte and $238,266 in Asheville. The Charlotte 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