Anesthesiologist Pay

Downey vs San Francisco: Anesthesiologist Salary (2026)

Compare anesthesiologist salaries between Downey, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Downey, CA
$468,505
$225.24/hr
San Francisco, CA
$106,308
$51.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDowney, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$468,505$106,308
Hourly Rate$225.24$51.11
Entry Level (P10)$271,732$106,308
25th Percentile$337,324$106,308
75th Percentile$599,686$397,528
Top Earner (P90)$695,242$574,248
Total Employed22N/A
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Downey ($468,505) and San Francisco ($106,308) anesthesiologist salaries.DowneySan FranciscoMedian Salary$468,505$106,308Entry Level (P10)$271,732$106,308Top Earner (P90)$695,242$574,248US Median $409,107

Verdict

Downey, CA offers better overall compensation for anesthesiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to San Francisco.

The salary gap between Downey and San Francisco is $362,197 (340.71%). Downey's median is +14.52% compared to the US national median of $409,107.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Downey spans $423,510,San Francisco spans $467,940. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced anesthesiologists.

Downey
P10 (Entry)$271,732
P25$337,324
Median$468,505
P75$599,686
P90 (Top)$695,242
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$106,308
P25$106,308
Median$106,308
P75$397,528
P90 (Top)$574,248

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Downey ($414,240 effective) pays 350.50% more than San Francisco ($91,952 effective).

Downey
Nominal: $468,505
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $414,240
San Francisco
Nominal: $106,308
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $91,952

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Downey if…

  • Higher median salary ($468,505/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($695,242)
  • Larger job market (22 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $414,240)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, anesthesiologist salaries in Downey grew -13.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -81.6% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Downey, CA

+-13.0%

$515,335 (2024) → $448,330 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+-81.6%

$553,294 (2024) → $101,730 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays anesthesiologists more: Downey or San Francisco?

Downey has a higher median anesthesiologist salary at $468,505/year, compared to San Francisco at $106,308/year — a difference of $362,197 (340.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Downey and San Francisco?

Downey anesthesiologists earn $225.24/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $51.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Downey to San Francisco as a anesthesiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Downey and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Downey = $414,240, San Francisco = $91,952), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level anesthesiologists earn in Downey vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) anesthesiologists earn $271,732 in Downey and $106,308 in San Francisco. The Downey 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